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The impact of non-neutral federal regulatory policy on competition

Author

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  • Chiang, Eric P.
  • Hauge, Janice A.

Abstract

We present a duopoly competition model to illustrate how the simultaneous incorporation of two US federal regulatory programs negatively affected telecommunications competition during the past decade. Our model shows that the simultaneous implementation of the Universal Service Fund policy that grants subsidies to incumbent telecommunications providers serving in high-cost areas, and the carrier of last resort policy that mandates incumbents to provide service in under-served geographic areas, deters competitive entry in low-cost markets and thereby runs counter to the objectives for which the policies were intended. This model provides a theoretical explanation of a failure of federal policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiang, Eric P. & Hauge, Janice A., 2013. "The impact of non-neutral federal regulatory policy on competition," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 1142-1149.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:37:y:2013:i:11:p:1142-1149
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2013.03.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Brown, Richard S., 2017. "Scanning and updating failure: How AT&T turned its political capability into a core rigidity," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 71-89.

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