Telecom, Media, and Technology

DCE has been advising companies, associations and public institutions on competition and regulatory economics issues in the TMT industry for many years – a particularly dynamic and regulated environment.

We support competitive assessments of pricing strategies, analyze market structures, accompany regulatory proceedings – such as spectrum allocation or margin squeeze cases – and prepare well-founded economic expert reports in abuse or damages proceedings. Our analyses combine empirical precision with deep understanding of the technological, economic and regulatory specificities of these markets.

Our work gains additional depth through close ties to academic research: Our team has been researching and publishing on competitive issues in telecommunications, media and digital markets for years – and brings this perspective directly into our consulting work.

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Retail & Consumer

DCE has been advising companies and associations in the retail and consumer goods sector for many years – from food and drugstore products to branded goods and the gambling industry.

We analyze market structures, supply chains and distribution processes, evaluate the impact of competition-relevant behaviors and support proceedings in merger control, antitrust disputes and regulatory matters. We bring particular expertise to the quantification of damages as well as the assessment of buyer power, pricing and market foreclosure. Our work combines economic rigor with deep understanding of industry-specific dynamics.

A particular focus lies on regulatory issues – such as market organization and taxation in the gambling industry, an area where our studies have provided significant input to political and regulatory debates.

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Energy & Natural Resources

In the energy and commodities sector, DCE supports companies, ministries, authorities and associations on all competition economics issues – from security of supply and network regulation to the assessment of market power-relevant behaviors.

We analyze market structures, regulatory economic frameworks and competitive situations along the entire value chain – particularly in electricity, gas and recycling markets. Our team brings deep economic expertise in quantitative methods, market power analysis and sector-specific regulation.

Our academic foundation gives particular depth to our advisory work. For example, the "Return on Withholding Capacity" index (RWC) co-developed by DCE for measuring potential market power was recognized by the Federal Cartel Office as an innovative approach.

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Logistics & Mobility

Competition economics issues in the logistics and mobility sector have been a central area of activity for DCE for many years. Our projects range from economic assessment of antitrust allegations and damages quantification to merger analysis and market structure studies – representing both plaintiffs and defendants.

We advise companies and institutions across the entire mobility value chain – from automotive and supplier sectors to rail and logistics companies and operators of transport infrastructure. Our analyses cover traditional industry sectors as well as multimodal offerings and mobility-related services. We combine deep market understanding with sound economic methodology.

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Industrials

Industrial markets are often characterized by high technical complexity, differentiated products and long-term supply relationships. DCE has extensive experience in the competition economics analysis of such markets – from mechanical and plant engineering to industrial supply chains and specialized upstream sectors.

We analyze market structures, assess the behavior of market-powerful actors, support contentious proceedings and examine the effects of mergers or agreements – always with an eye for industry-specific characteristics and economic relevance. In ongoing as well as completed proceedings, we apply our economic expertise in a targeted manner – analytically sound, practice-tested and with clear focus on economically viable results.

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Healthcare & Life Sciences

The healthcare & life sciences sector faces constant challenges ranging from market structure issues and regulation of medical services to the assessment of innovations and intellectual property. DCE supports actors in this complex environment with clear economic analyses – well-founded, data-driven and clearly presented.

We analyze market and supply structures, assess potential market power, support the definition of relevant markets or quantify economic impacts of regulatory measures. We work with industry actors, medical associations and political institutions, covering the full spectrum of competition economics issues.

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Economic Governance & Public Policy

How should markets be structured to enable competition, innovation and investment – particularly in the transition to a digital, more sustainable and resilient economy? DCE advises companies, associations and political institutions on the assessment and development of regulatory economic frameworks – analytically sound, empirically robust and practical.

Our studies contribute to central economic policy debates – such as on regulatory burden, the role of the state in the economy, reforms of regulated sectors or the design of key market structures. We work at the interface of academia, politics and practice, creating decision-making foundations for strategic choices.

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Digital Economy

Digital markets place particular demands on competition economics analysis – from market definitions and platform and network effects to the role of data, algorithms and access conditions. DCE has extensive experience in this dynamic environment.

Our analyses combine economic theory with empirical precision and deep understanding of digital business models. We support clients in the economic assessment of platform strategies, in the context of regulatory proceedings as well as on issues around data economics, market definition and potential abuse of market power.

Additional depth comes from our academic roots: Members of our team have been researching digital markets, platform economics and the competitive effects of new technologies for many years and bring this expertise directly into our consulting projects.

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