Proliferation of content on the internet offers consumers access to more sources than had been possible with traditional media. Disaggregated content also increases the relevance of targeting for advertisers. But at the same time, search costs increase the role of intermediaries in media...

Economic incentives for security investment in elements of the Internet is of increasing concern. This paper contains an exploration of the incentives for Internet service providers (ISP)s to invest in security. The analysis focuses on the spillover effects of ISP security investments to other...

"Open access" regulation mandates openness of conduits (e.g. upgraded cable television) to service providers (e.g. America Online), but policy discussion often suggests that the ultimate goal is openness to advanced content (streaming video, interactive e-commerce, etc.). We introduce a systems...

The recent growth of the Internet is creating markets for broadband telecommunications networks. In the past, virtually all such 'infrastructure' networks have been subject to government regulation. Two reasons advanced for this market intervention are (i) such networks constitute a natural...

In September 2009, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski proposed two new principles for Internet policy, nondiscrimination and transparency. Nondiscrimination is the key element of the policy known as “network neutrality” and declares that the telephone and cable companies (Internet Service...

Proposals for network neutrality are usually justified at least in part based on positive spillovers and externalities related to an “open” Internet. Almost everyone would agree that the Internet generates a great many positive benefits throughout the economy, but there is much less...