Essays on the determinants of fixed and mobile broadband diffusion and the role of access regulation on fixed broadband proliferation
Δοκίμια στους προσδιοριστικούς παράγοντες της σταθερής και κινητής ευρυζωνικής διάχυσης και ο ρόλος των ρυθμιστικών πολιτικών πρόσβασης στην διάδοση της σταθερής ευρυζωνικότητας
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Keywords
Τιμή πρόσβασης ; Προσδιοριστικοί παράγοντες διάχυσης ευρυζωνικότητας ; Σταθερή ευρυζωνικότητα ; Κινητή ευρυζωνικότητα ; Ρυθμιστικές πολιτικέςAbstract
The development of Information Access Technologies (ICT) has resulted in our world entering a new digital age that has transformed the way we live. Broadband has a prominent role in this transformation as it increases productivity and economic growth, has altered the way we socially interact, has allowed for the introduction of new services, and has accelerated dissemination of information and knowledge. This dissertation aims to identify the determinants of both fixed and mobile broadband. It attempts to identify both how certain regulatory policies has impacted the diffusion of fixed broadband as well as how, among other factors, various socioeconomic factors have influenced fixed and mobile broadband adoption. Chapter 1 examines the impact of access regulation on fixed broadband and alternative access technologies diffusion for the 28 EU member states. Our main conclusion is that while access regulation of the local loop unbundling facilitates overall fixed broadband penetration at the same time hinders the diffusion of broadband lines that are accessed through alternative technologies. This contrasting effect is due to a facilitating effect of unbundling on broadband lines within the technology that is was historically applied, which is broadband lines accessed through DSL. In respect to low investment intensive access policies they have a negative impact on the adoption of both broadband and alternative access technologies diffusion. Finally, for access policies that require low investment, the effect on broadband penetration depends on the intensity of market competition. Chapter 2 studies the relationship between various industry, socioeconomic and demographic factors and fixed broadband diffusion in a worldwide setting. Our main results demonstrate that the liberalization of the fixed telecom's' market and the privatization of the main telecom's operator have positively influence fixed broadband diffusion. In addition, of e-services and internet content have incited the proliferation of fixed broadband, as well as lower cost of fixed broadband services. Chapter 3 examines again, the factors that affect mobile broadband diffusion in a worldwide setting. Our main results demonstrate that the fixed and mobile broadband are complimentary and multiple mobile standards enhance mobile broadband diffusion. Finally, e-services and internet content drive mobile broadband diffusion.