Small family glass studios were merged into state-run monopolies.

Analysts urged the former state-run monopoly to borrow money and make acquisitions to keep pace with its competitors.

Demand is outpacing the supplies provided by state-run monopolies.

The major utility suppliers in Italy have now officially all been privatised, but the majority of supply still comes from the old formerly state-run monopolies.

They obtained the authority of the Grand Duke to permit a state-run monopoly of the channel.

Reports on television and radio - a state-run monopoly - said that 60 percent of the country's more than 46 million eligible voters had taken part.

"Telecommunications has been a state-run monopoly for quite some time," Mr. Smith said.

There is an ongoing debate over whether to retain these state-run monopolies.

Outright mergers between the former European state-run monopolies may well be put on hold until the respective governments sell off their stakes.

Some of the complaining came from countries that have long used protected, state-run monopolies to fill patronage jobs or reward friends of the powerful.