'Whether a casual student of the subject or a specialist on utility privatization and regulation, this book captures the attention of the reader with a structure for each of the 10 chapters that takes one through a succinct yet informative background, thereby setting the tone for understanding the authors' hypothesis and conclusions, regardless of whether one agrees with them. In summary, this is a timely, well-written book that makes a relatively novel contribution to the aftermath assessment of utility privatization and regulation in some Latin American and European countries.' - Sergio Galina-Hidalgo, The Journal of Energy and Development. Latin American countries have now privatized a large number of their utility industries and make more use of market approaches to delivery through networks. Privatization has major consequences for efficiency, long-term growth, consumer welfare and income distribution but insufficient attention has been paid to the direct effect on consumers of regulation and the introduction of competition. This book assesses how reform processes can be improved, particularly in the light of experience in some Latin American and European countries. © UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER) 2003. All rights reserved.