A proposed deal between Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service could result in higher shipping costs and less reliable delivery service in rural America. The changes, which still require approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission, would see Amazon cut roughly 20% of its packages it ships through the service as it shifts more deliveries into its own network. This shift would result in USPS spreading the cost of its nationwide delivery network across fewer packages, putting pressure on both pricing and service. The impact on prices will likely be seen first in rural areas, where drivers make fewer stops per mile, increasing the cost per package. Amazon has been trying to increase deliveries to small towns last year, spending $4 billion on the effort. The Postal Service is seeking to raise postage stamp prices and is implementing an 8% package surcharge.