This chapter considers partially (non)rival infrastructure and congestion. Specifically, it explains and analyzes congestions problems and solutions. It begins with the basic economic model of congestion, which assumes homogenous uses, and discusses various approaches to managing congestion. It...

This paper studies unintended consequences of price cap regulation in the presence of demand externalities in the context of payment cards. The recent U.S. debit card regulation was intended to lower merchant card acceptance costs by capping the maximum interchange fee. However, small-ticket...

This paper explains why platforms such as Amazon and Visa rely predominantly on ad-valorem fees, fees which increase proportionally with transaction prices. It also provides a new explanation for why ad-valorem sales taxes are more desirable than specific taxes. The theory rests on the ability...

Infrastructure resources are at the center of many contentious public policy debates, ranging from what to do about our crumbling roads and bridges, to whether and how to protect of our natural environment, to patent law reform, to electromagnetic spectrum allocation, to providing universal...

This paper conducts a comparative review of competition dynamics in mobile payments markets in Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Three main competition issues have been highlighted across these countries: the impact of agent exclusivity on the ability of rivals to compete; allegations of margin...

A piece of legislation recently introduced by Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA 14th) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI 2nd) that they call the quot;Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Actquot; (HR 4882), might deserve a better appellation as the quot;Eradication of Broadcasting Act.quot;At the...

Whatever happened to: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech? In the context of broadcasting, representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA 14th) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI 2nd) are the latest to transgress, offering this year their quot;Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Actquot;...

China's entry into the World Trade Organization offers China a rare opportunity to advance its communications capabilities, but the government must recognize that protecting its favored domestic companies and funding antiquated technology won't allow the country to benefit from everything WTO...

Satellite radio competitors XM and Sirius recently announced their intention to merge their companies in a $13 billion deal. Recent financial statements show this merger is necessary. Although both stocks grew steadily through October of 2004, they hit a plateau after that and then began a...

This paper studies the impact of taxes on a two-sided platform's pricing, participation, and welfare. Two types of taxes are examined: a tax on access to the platform and a tax on transactions between the platform's buyers and sellers. Access taxes have clear implications while transaction taxes...