Are dominant online search engines monopolies enjoying low contest-ability, due to high barriers to entry, or innovative first-movers? This paper argues that dominant online search engines maintain their leadership through an “innovation feedback loop”: a process whereby increasing R&D...

Competition between parallel infrastructures incorporates opposing welfare effects. The gain from reduced deadweight loss might be outweighed by the inefficient duplication of an existing infrastructure. Using data from broadband internet access for Western Europe 2000-2004, this paper...

We analyze the impact of mandatory access on the infrastructure iinvestments of two competing communications networks, and show that for low (high) access charges firms wait (preempt each other). Contrary to previous results, under preemption a higher access charge can delay first investment....

We introduce a model of asymmetric competition where two network operators with different investment costs may build an internet access infrastructure and where a virtual operator provides services through third-party access. We show that the virtual operator requests access from the low cost...

Recent claims that online platforms have secured permanent monopolies, protected by barriers to entry from network effects and stockpiles of data, and should be the focus of intense antitrust and regulatory scrutiny, are inconsistent with the economics, technology, and history of online...

In digital markets, big technology firms like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc., compete with each other across multiple markets. Some markets are platforms/two-sided with products offered for free to users, whereas other markets are one-sided with paid products. In some cases, market competition...

Launching and stimulating competition in telecommunications markets is an important policy goal. It contains two elements: to encourage entry and to make competition effective such that consumers benefit. The first one requires that entrants can make profits after investing in infrastructure so...

This paper investigates the relationship between technical progress, competition, and the impact on consumer's surplus and welfare. A Hotelling model in symmetrical duopoly with full market coverage is introduced. Firms invest in order to improve the quality of their offer and thus consumers'...

Launching and stimulating competition in telecommunications markets is an important policy goal. It contains two elements: to encourage entry and to make competition effective such that consumers benefit. The first one requires that entrants can make profits after investing in infrastructure so...

European mobile communication markets are two-stage markets which are composed of the infrastructure (the network and its components) and the service markets (telephony, mobile internet, SMS). In contrast to most other network-based markets there are multiple fully integrated providers which...