[jedrek]

I firmly believe markets should be regulated for competition. I'm sure there are examples of companies merging and creating an improved experience for their customers, but I can't think of any. On the other hand, I can list half a dozen companies I've done business with, where a merger has reduced the quality of service and while increasing its price.

Tons of markets that have been "deregulated" have become more competitive - national airlines in Europe, Ma Bell in the US - but they are almost all about breaking up a government sponsored/created monopoly. The US market telecom market has done an amazing job re-merging, to the point that a few more mergers and it'll be Ma Bell all over again.