1. Introduction -- 2. Electricity distribution networks and decentralisation paradigm -- 3. The evolving role of distribution networks: from network operator to system operator to platform provider -- 4. Regulated charges for access to and utilisation of networks -- 5. Improving efficiency:...

The purpose of the paper is (1) to analyze the potential and the incentives for a vertically integrated input monopolist to engage in price-discrimination when there is downstream entry, and (2) to examine the question, whether a cost-based regulation of access charges for electricity grids...

According to European directives the German state deregulated several sectors which had been protected monopolies for a long time. A regulatory authority was established for the telecommunication sector with the competence to decide about the access conditions to the bottleneck "local loop". If...