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Broadband Internet and Income Inequality

Author

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  • Georges Vivien Houngbonon

    (LGI - Laboratoire Génie Industriel - EA 2606 - CentraleSupélec)

  • Julienne Liang

    (France Télécom)

Abstract

Policy makers are aiming for a large coverage of high-speed broadband Internet. However , there is still a lack of evidence about its effects on income distribution. In this paper, we investigate the effects of fixed broadband Internet on mean income and income inequality using a unique town-level data on broadband adoption and quality in France. We find that broadband adoption and quality raise mean income and lower income inequality. These results are robust to initial conditions, and yield policy implications for the deployment of faster broadband Internet.

Suggested Citation

  • Georges Vivien Houngbonon & Julienne Liang, 2017. "Broadband Internet and Income Inequality," Working Papers hal-01653815, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-01653815
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01653815
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Malgouyres, Clément & Mayer, Thierry & Mazet-Sonilhac, Clément, 2021. "Technology-induced trade shocks? Evidence from broadband expansion in France," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    2. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/4b7tooefh48jlq7oktt0tbn8om is not listed on IDEAS
    3. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/4b7tooefh48jlq7oktt0tbn8om is not listed on IDEAS
    4. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/4b7tooefh48jlq7oktt0tbn8om is not listed on IDEAS
    5. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/4b7tooefh48jlq7oktt0tbn8om is not listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Broadband Internet; Income Inequality; Telecommunications;
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