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Competition vs. Regulation in Mobile Telecommunications

Author

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  • Stennek, Johan

    (Research Institute of Industrial Economics)

  • Tangerås, Thomas

    (Research Institute of Industrial Economics)

Abstract

This paper questions whether competition can replace sector-specific regulation of mobile telecommunications. We show that the monopolistic outcome prevails independently of market concentration when access prices are determined in bilateral negotiations. A light-handed regulatory policy can induce effective competition. Call prices are close to the marginal cost if the networks are sufficiently close substitutes. Neither demand nor cost information is required. A unique and symmetric call price equilibrium exists under symmetric access prices, provided that call demand is sufficiently inelastic. Existence encompasses the case of many networks and high network substitutability.

Suggested Citation

  • Stennek, Johan & Tangerås, Thomas, 2006. "Competition vs. Regulation in Mobile Telecommunications," Working Paper Series 685, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:0685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Johan Stennek & Thomas TangerŒs, 2008. "Intense Network Competition," Working Papers 08-36, NET Institute, revised Sep 2008.
    2. Doh‐Shin Jeon & Sjaak Hurkens, 2008. "A retail benchmarking approach to efficient two‐way access pricing: no termination‐based price discrimination†," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 39(3), pages 822-849, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Network Competition; Two-way Access; Access Price Competition; Entry; Regulation; Network Substitutability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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