Access regulation, competition, and broadband penetration: An international study

Jan Bouckaert, Theon van Dijk and Frank Verboven

Working Papers from University of Antwerp, Faculty of Business and Economics

Abstract: The evolution of broadband penetration has shown substantial differences between OECD countries. This paper empirically investigates to what extent different forms of regulated competition explain these international differences. Three modes of competition are distinguished between broadband internet access providers that result from regulatory policies: (1) inter-platform competition; (2) facilities-based intra-platform competition; and (3) service-based intra-platform competition. In most countries these forms of competition co-exist although their intensity varies from country to country. Intra-platform competition may differ among countries depending on the degree of mandatory access obligations imposed by the regulator on the dominant network firm. Based on a sample of OECD countries, inter-platform competition has been a main driver of broadband penetration. The two types of intra-platform competition have a considerably smaller effect on broadband penetration. Linking these findings back to access regulation suggests that the “stepping stone” or “ladder of investment” theories might not provide the justification to impose extensive mandatory access obligations on DSL incumbents.

Keywords: Broadband penetration; Access regulation; OECD-countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2010-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-com, nep-net and nep-reg
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (116)

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Journal Article: Access regulation, competition, and broadband penetration: An international study (2010)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ant:wpaper:2010020

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