We are seeing decline in some areas where there are monopolies. Companies used to be afraid of competition. Not being able to produce enough product or raising prices too much meant someone else was going to come along and take over your market. But, once a monopoly or oligopoly has been achieved, companies have far more pricing power. It takes about four major players before you get price competition, from an EU study. The US is down to 2 or 3 in many areas, from drugstores to cell phone services.