Mobile telecommunications has been a considerable success with consumers, yet markets are oligopolies designed by governments and by industry, with many flaws, including limited ability to regulate prices, quality of service and coverage. Markets have been partially opened to competition, with...

The purpose of the paper is to identify policy strategies for the implementation of number portability in Central America. It attempts to determine why carriers have generally been opposed to the implementation of this service and what regulators in the region can do to allow for the provision...

The high value of privatizations, licenses and equipment supply contracts in telecommunications have created opportunities for individuals to solicit and companies to pay bribes. Despite obvious risks in advocating such policies, especially in developing countries with weak or absent...

This paper analyzes the efficacy of the Universal Service Fund's High-Cost Support programs in achieving two of its formal aims—increased availability and comparable or improved service quality. In light of a narrowed rural digital divide, increased facilities-based competition, and...

Differences in home Internet access have direct and indirect effects on K-12 student educational achievements. Much of the attention during the past years has been on the homework gap, disadvantages to students of lacking or poor Internet connectivity at home for the completion of homework...

Using unique data from a systematic roll-out of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, we provide evidence on the impact of high-speed internet via broadband on three main sectors of economy: retail, agriculture, and manufacturing. Our instrumental variable model, which relies upon the timing...

Quality of life challenges, presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasized the importance in achieving progress in making access to voice and broadband data services widespread and affordable. The virus forced nearly everyone to shelter in place, and to rely on wired and wireless technologies...

A broad-scale rollout and adoption of new high-speed broadband networks and services, respectively, is expected to generate innovative services for consumers and create a high potential for productivity increases and economic growth. However, there is no evidence available on the causal impact...

This paper explores the upstream network connectivity structure of Bhutan׳s monopolistic supplier of broadband mobile access. It is claimed that the presence of a hierarchical and well interconnected network, matched with a price-matching promise, may provide a crucial early mover׳s advantage...

Around the globe countries are attempting to forge ahead with the expansion and upgrading of advanced communications networks. In most cases they are setting very ambitious goals with regard to technology and coverage. However, the specific cost structure for broadband projects results in the...