Unbundling bottlenecks in the value chain of network industries has made it possible to introduce retail and some upstream competition into the sectors, but access to the unbundled assets, and to certain natural inputs, is generally achieved by a command and control administrative process which...

This paper discusses the role of system operators (SOs) in four infrastructure industries: electricity, natural gas, railways and water supply. It describes the types of system operator and their role as co-ordinating entities. The paper relates the role of SOs to the problems of economic...

The authors took part in an independent review of competition and innovation in the water industry in England and Wales, undertaken for United Kingdom and Welsh government ministers. Privatised twenty years ago, subject to a price control regime which has permitted high levels of investment, and...