We study how the vertical industry structure affects investment in network quality and social welfare, with a focus on the prospective deployment of high-speed broadband access networks (the so-called NGA). We model pros and cons of vertical separation, namely, pro-competitive effects and loss...

This paper studies the interplay between network investment and content quality on the Internet, and investigates the implications to the net neutrality regime. We assume a model in which a network operator provides access to consumers and content providers. The network operator offers two...

Contractual and regulatory provisions for access affect incentives to invest in an upgraded network and, in particular, a next-generation access network. Investment decisions are made under uncertainty and have to be made over time. This papers provides a framework for taking uncertainty, risk...

Previous studies have identified the rivalry among technological platforms as one of the main driving forces of broadband services penetration. This paper draws on data from the Spanish market between 2005 and 2011 to estimate the main determinants of broadband prices. Controlling for broadband...

In March 2010 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued the National Broadband Plan (NBP) detailing strategic proposals to increase broadband availability in the US. One of the sweeping suggestions of the NBP is to convert all incumbent local exchange carriers from rate-of-return (RoR)...

We analyse the impact of regulation, industrial policy and jurisdictional allocation on broadband deployment using a theoretical model and an empirical estimation. Although central powers may be more focused and internalize inter-jurisdictional externalities, decentralized powers may internalize...

The liberalization of telecommunications is largely based on the premise that increasing competition will encourage investment. The hypothesis that liberalization promotes investment has received the most empirical support in recent research. However, a key question that has been largely ignored...

This paper makes use of a natural experiment performed by a low-income price subsidy program, Lifeline Assistance, to estimate consumer substitution between fixed and mobile service. Variability across states and time in the Lifeline discount and the program’s eligibility requirements aids in...

We analyze the incentives of a vertically integrated firm, which is a regulated monopolist in the wholesale market and competes with an entrant in the retail market, to invest and to give access to a new wholesale technology. The new technology represents a non-drastic innovation that produces...

A vertically integrated incumbent and an OLO (Other Licensed Operator) compete in the market for broadband access. The incumbent has the option to invest in building a Next Generation Network that covers all urban areas with similar demand structures. The investment return in terms of demand...