For years now, utilities, phones companies, and cable/Internet providers have been deregulated, which, in theory, gives customers more choices. However, many consumers still only have one choice when it comes to their natural gas provider or cable/Internet provider. And those who do have a choice tend to be faced with prices from two or more companies that are near identical to each other. And neither is lower than the prices before the deregulation, which is not what consumers were expecting after being told the deregulated market would offer more competitive prices. Explain why competition in these areas has not lowered prices and how price fixing, competition, and government regulation play a role.