Final answer:
The two main benefits resulting from increased competition in the national telecommunications market due to the 1997 World Trade Organization agreement are lower prices and improved services. Deregulation was enabled by technological improvements and belief in market provision, and while it has benefits like enhanced market access and service quality, it can also lead to job losses and reduced profits for non-competitive entities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The increase in competition in the national telecommunications market that resulted from the 1997 World Trade Organization agreement resulted in several benefits for consumers and the industry as a whole. The two main benefits of this increase in competition are c) Lower prices and improved services. This is because as competition in the market increases, companies are incentivized to lower their prices and improve their services to attract more customers and maintain their market share.
Concerning deregulation in industries like telecommunications, the real-world changes that made deregulation possible include improvements in production technologies and markets capable of providing services adequately. The benefits of deregulation can be numerous, including increased market entry for firms, reduced prices, and enhanced service quality for consumers. However, potential negatives may involve risks such as reduced income for workers in the inefficient businesses that cannot compete effectively.
A corporate merger refers to the joining of two companies into one, while an acquisition is when one company purchases another. The goal of antitrust policies is to prevent monopolies and promote fair competition in the market.