Economics: Principles & Policy
Economics: Principles & Policy
14th Edition
ISBN: 9781337696326
Author: William J. Baumol; Alan S. Blinder; John L. Solow
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Question
Book Icon
Chapter 14, Problem 1DQ
To determine

The effects of changes in technology.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

An increase in the number of customers of the electronic and telephone companies would increase the use of their services and this would reduce the average cost of these companies. A large part of the costs associated with these companies is fixed. Thus, adding a second or third distribution service would be wasteful, which also covers the same route as the first. Therefore, it is better to serve these services by a single agency. A monopoly can serve the public interest, provided that the firm does not exploit its customers using market power. A technological change can alter the cost structure and efficiency of an industry. A technological change may be able to provide the same service at a lower cost, which would eliminate a natural monopoly.  The impact of small satellite TV dishes on cable TV networks is an example of the effect of technological changes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
If only one airline serves a town, does a monopoly exist? What about competition from other services?
Is Facebook a natural monopoly or monopoly? Why or why not?
If there is only one supplier of a good or service, why? How is its monopoly protected?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Microeconomics A Contemporary Intro
Economics
ISBN:9781285635101
Author:MCEACHERN
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Microeconomics: Principles & Policy
Economics
ISBN:9781337794992
Author:William J. Baumol, Alan S. Blinder, John L. Solow
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:9781337106665
Author:Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Microeconomics
Economics
ISBN:9781337617406
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:9781337617383
Author:Roger A. Arnold
Publisher:Cengage Learning