The shape of the long run average cost curve, which is "U" shaped and initially decreases because of increasing returns to scale. We will revisit this concept when we're studying the case of natural monopolies. These are companies that are allowed to be the only producers in the industry because the  provision of their services entails high fixed costs and so production needs to be carried out at a large scale in order to achieve lower average total cost. This way, access to these services can be provided to consumers at low prices. Provide examples of companies that are natural monopolies while explaining their cost structure. You can also provide examples of natural monopolies that were later broken up by the government and the impact that had on consumers.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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The shape of the long run average cost curve, which is "U" shaped and initially decreases because of increasing returns to scale. We will revisit this concept when we're studying the case of natural monopolies. These are companies that are allowed to be the only producers in the industry because the  provision of their services entails high fixed costs and so production needs to be carried out at a large scale in order to achieve lower average total cost. This way, access to these services can be provided to consumers at low prices. Provide examples of companies that are natural monopolies while explaining their cost structure. You can also provide examples of natural monopolies that were later broken up by the government and the impact that had on consumers. 

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