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Rules, institutions, or both? Estimating the drivers of telecommunication investment in Latin America

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  • Juan Jung
  • Angel Melguizo

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of regulation and institutions on telecommunications investment in Latin America. The investment levels of the region lag behind those of advanced economies and are impeding substantial progress on digital transformation. Using a database built for this analysis, which covers nearly 90 percent of Latin American countries for 2007–2017, we confirm the relevance of regulatory and institutional frameworks to explain investment trends in the sector. We also show that a good institutional quality contributes significantly to counteracting partially a bad regulatory environment, and vice versa. However, the impact is significantly stronger when good regulation and institutions interact, suggesting that comprehensive reforms to improve institutions and the regulatory environment would pay off. In particular, improving cybersecurity and piracy control regulation, and fighting corruption and undue influence stand out as the priorities to increase telecommunication investment in Latin America.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Jung & Angel Melguizo, 2022. "Rules, institutions, or both? Estimating the drivers of telecommunication investment in Latin America," Journal of Cyber Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 5-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rcybxx:v:7:y:2022:i:1:p:5-23
    DOI: 10.1080/23738871.2022.2034910
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    Cited by:

    1. Katz, Raúl & Jung, Juan, 2023. "The impact of taxation in the telecommunications industry," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    2. Jung, Juan & Katz, Raúl, 2022. "Spectrum flexibility and mobile telecommunications development," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    3. Jung, Juan & Melguizo, Ángel, 2023. "Is your netflix a substitute for your telefunken? Evidence on the dynamics of traditional pay TV and OTT in Latin America," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications
    • L98 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Government Policy

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