Whether you see your “utility” bills come in or you just passed the utility option on Monopoly, many people have questions about just what a utility company is. Almost everyone has to pay utility bills and sometimes we even have problems with our utility companies.

Thankfully, service management platforms for utility companies have made it so that we don’t actually have to talk to people at those companies anymore, so we have forgotten what they actually do. So let’s dive into it!

What Are Utility Companies?

Utilities are the category of companies that provide basic amenities and services to homes, businesses, and other buildings. These include natural gas, water, sewage, electricity, and more. It makes up a huge part of the worldwide economy. 

Most utility companies are private and for-profit companies, even though they are publicly known and used. They provide us with the things we need to live safely and hygienically. These companies are heavily, heavily regulated and investors are under a lot of pressure. If something goes wrong with utility companies, it is usually widely known and commented on by everyone.

What Are Public Utility Companies?

A public utility company is a company or business that does the same thing a regular utility company does: it provides basic amenities and services to homes, businesses, and other buildings. The use of the word public indicates that it services the public at large. They are still probably for-profit businesses and are privately owned. Some of the most common public utilities include:

• Water
• Electricity
• Natural gas
• Sewage and sanitation
• Communications services

What Companies Make Up The Utilities Sector?

You probably pay bills to a few different companies that make up the utility sector, including your energy company, electric company, water company, natural gas company, sewer company, trash company, and more. Sometimes you will only have one choice (many townships combine sewer and trash into one bill) whereas in other places you may have your choice of trash company, for example.

Some utility companies are extremely large whereas others are small and family-owned. You will have to make up your mind for yourself about who you want to support and who you don’t. 

Can I Choose A Different Utility Company?

As mentioned, there are some situations in which you can choose a different utility company. For example, many people will go to different trash companies or oil companies. However, something like a sewer is usually a one-company situation so you don’t have many options there.

Currently, many people are moving toward cleaner energy and other sanitation options that leave a smaller footprint on the planet and the environment. 

At the end of the day, the utilities sector is an industry that, while they do serve the public in many ways, they are still for-profit companies. They provide the basic, everyday necessities that we need to live our lives safely, comfortably, and cleanly. Local, state, and federal governments all have massive oversight and regulation over them, however.

If you want, you can even invest in utility companies, as they sometimes end up being profitable investments. However, shares can cost a lot of money and sometimes there is volatility. Still, even in the most unstable of times, people need running water, they need to get rid of their trash, and they need to see at night.

ETI Software Solutions continues to bring leading-edge solutions to telcos, municipalities, utility co-ops, open access providers, and WISPs to reduce operating costs and future-proof technology. To learn more about ETI Software Solutions, visit them at 6065 Atlantic Boulevard Norcross, GA 30071. You can contact them at (770) 242-3620 or visit their website https://etisoftware.com/ to contact them.