(a) Who is a common carrier? (b) State three functions of each of the following communication agents: (i) Post Office. (ii) Telecommunication. (iii) Courier...

Answer Details

(a) Who is a common carrier?

A common carrier is a person or firm that undertakes, as a business and for a fee, to carry the goods (or passengers) of any member of the public from one place to another, without the right to refuse so long as space is available, the charge is paid and the goods are lawful. Examples are railway companies and public transport operators.

(b) Three functions of each communication agent

(i) Post Office

1. Collection, sorting and delivery of letters and parcels.
2. Provision of money-transfer services such as postal and money orders.
3. Sale of postage stamps and provision of private mail boxes/bags.

(ii) Telecommunication

1. Transmission of telephone calls between people over long distances.
2. Sending of messages by fax, telex and the internet.
3. Provision of data and internet services for business communication.

(iii) Courier companies

1. Fast, door-to-door delivery of documents and parcels.
2. Tracking of items in transit to assure senders of safe delivery.
3. Handling of urgent and valuable consignments both within and outside the country.