OECD on Tavel, Sept 15, 2020
Our consumption of essential services was profoundly transformed by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Internet and data traffic surged as many of us moved to work and learn online. Energy consumption slumped as offices closed and entire industries ground to a halt. Passenger transport collapsed, but crucial supply chains and trade still relied on freight transport services.
The ability of markets to continue to deliver these services was put to the test. Evidence from members of the OECD Network of Economic Regulators (NER) shows that emergency measures were quickly put in place across countries in network sectors such as energy, telecommunications, water and transport services. Priority was given to delivering essential goods and services in support of relief efforts. Consumers experiencing financial difficulties received assistance and disconnections of service were prohibited. Operators were helped to cover financial shortages and recover from economic loss.
These initiatives were often defined and implemented by arms-length economic regulators, to whom governments have delegated the regulation of network sectors that are based on natural monopolies, in part to decouple regulation from political decision-making and cycles.[i] Regulators are usually mandated with ensuring the efficiency of the market and the quality, reliability and affordability of services. In practice, this means for instance making sure that your power supply stays steady, your internet and mobile data don’t disconnect, and that, even at times of economic downturn, you can still afford to pay your bills – and at the same
In full: https://oecdonthelevel.com/2020/09/15/regulation-of-essential-services-during-covid19/
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