Local Post Offices to Offer Fax Service

WASHINGTON —  The U.S. Postal Service is introducing fax “terminals” in a trial program at 263 post offices nationwide, including Los Angeles.

The technology will be provided by contract by a private Miami-based company, Hotelcopy Inc., that specializes in fax networks. The firm is leasing lobby space in 263 post offices for $52,600 a month, giving the Postal Service a 25% share of any monthly profits above $950 at each location.

The self-service fax terminals are targeted at individuals and owners of small businesses, more than two-thirds of whom do not have access to fax machines, according to the Postal Service. A three-minute fax transmission, enough time to process about six pages, will cost $8.50; each additional minute is $1.50, to be paid directly by credit card.

Hotelecopy-run fax terminals already are open at 54 post offices in the Northeast, with installation to follow in business centers all over the country by May, company officials said. Los Angeles is slated to receive 10 stations. Other cities receiving them are Alhambra, Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine, Newport Beach, Pomona, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, Riverside, Redlands and Palm Springs.