Outsourcing activities have been expanded through the whole value chain in the Brazilian electric energy distribution sector, includingservices which are part of the firm’s core business. This work has as the objective of analyzing two service outsourcing models developed by Brazilian electricity distribution companies. Interviews in situ with stakeholders from both companies and from the outsourcing companies were made along with visits. The main contribution is that outsourcing activities require more sophisticated management models, suggested by the need to increase technical and managerial capabilities in the firms