How Concentrated are Global Infrastructure Markets?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative assessment of the degree of concentration in infrastructure industries at the regional and global levels. We calculate regional and global concentration indexes for electricity generation and distribution, water and sanitation, and fixed and mobile telecommunications. Concentration issues are identified in only about 20% of the cases studied, while a presumption of concentration is found in another 30% of the cases. In more general terms, we find no scope for simple encompassing regional or sectoral statements because concentration is region- and sector-specific.