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Next Generation Access and Digital Divide: Opposite Sides of the Same Coin?

Author

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  • Dolente, Cosimo
  • Galea, John Joseph
  • Leporelli, Claudio

Abstract

Geographical averaging of retail and wholesale prices could distort incentives for bypass entry in both the metropolitan and the high-cost areas. The two-instrument approach to universal service support, proposed in (Armstrong, 2001), could enhance efficiency, through competitive and technological neutrality. Alternatively, the industry support to high cost areas could be substituted by redistributive fiscal measures or public subsidies. Using evidence from Italy we suggest that tackling demographic, educational, and income inequalities is necessary, even in low cost areas, to support further broadband penetration. We estimate logistic regressions of Internet and broadband use at home, and show that a substantial increase of broadband penetration is possible in Italy only if specific platforms and applications are made available to older and less educated households. Therefore, a critical mass of services could help reaching the critical mass of users that make Next Generation Access Networks viable.

Suggested Citation

  • Dolente, Cosimo & Galea, John Joseph & Leporelli, Claudio, 2010. "Next Generation Access and Digital Divide: Opposite Sides of the Same Coin?," 21st European Regional ITS Conference, Copenhagen 2010: Telecommunications at new crossroads - Changing value configurations, user roles, and regulation 9, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:itse10:9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Infrastructural Digital divide; Cultural Digital Divide; Geographical crosssubsidies; Efficient bypass; Critical mass of services;
    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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