A fundamental issue in the network neutrality debate is the extent to which network operators should be allowed to discriminate among Internet packet streams to selectively block, adjust quality of service, or adjust prices. This paper first reviews technology now available for traffic...

This paper proposes a novel policy to motivate private-sector operators of basic infrastructure to expand infrastructure into previously unserved regions. It is particularly useful when resources are transferred to the private sector, as occurs during the privatisation of a state-owned...

Many cities are seeking ways to facilitate the deployment of a wireless metropolitan-area network (WiMAN) based on wifi technology. City leaders must often balance competing goals, including the desire to maximize the area in which wireless services will be available, to maximize competition...

This paper investigates the results of competition between two profit-seeking telecommunications carriers, as might occur when cable TV providers compete with local exchange carriers. Each firm has a fixed capacity that it can use to offer two different services, such as telephony or video. We...

Several researchers have recently advocated dynamic pricing mechanisms such as the smart market. This paper explores how dynamic state-dependent pricing and explicit congestion control can both be used to avoid and alleviate congestion. Dynamic pricing has significant advantages for...

Roughly one-third of households in rural America cannot subscribe to broadband Internet services at any price. This puts many rural communities at a disadvantage with respect to economic growth, job creation, educational opportunities, health care information, commerce, and more. Internet users...

The digital divide is a pressing challenge for both technology and policy professionals. Connectivity is one aspect of the divide, albeit an important one. Availability and affordability remain important issues, but these depend on not only technology choices, but also business and regulatory...

As of 1998, electric utility companies burning coal or oil are required to report their annual releases of toxic chemicals to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), a national compilation of multimedia (air, water, land) releases of over 600 chemicals and chemical categories designated as toxic by...

This paper examines some of the causes of poor connectivity in developing countries, and suggests options for overcoming the so-termed digital divide. Based on a techno-economic analysis of connectivity technologies and design, I show that technical limitations per se are not the bottleneck for...