The existence and the use of the essential facilities doctrine was questioned in theory and in practice. Although the doctrine was developed in antitrust, it became a frequently cited notion in the regulation of network utilities. Its relevance is hotly debated during the setup of the new...

Congress recently has passed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which leaves most elements of the current postal regulatory framework (postal monopoly, state owned enterprise) unaltered. Similar regulatory frameworks have been established in the U.S. and the European Community....