(Answered) 9) Why is this near-monopoly a problem for consumers?9) Why is this near-monopoly a problem for…

➤ 2) How do near-monopolies affect prices and product quality?
Near-monopolies often raise prices above competitive levels and reduce incentives to maintain quality. Without rivals, firms can profit from price markups, cut customer support, or reduce product updates. Price discrimination, hidden fees, and bundled services also appear, leaving consumers with worse value and limited recourse to seek better deals elsewhere.