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Universal High-Speed Broadband Provision: An Alternative Policy Approach

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  • Elmar G. Wolfstetter

Abstract

Millions of citizens and firms lack access to high speed internet, even though governments pledged to spend huge sums of money to subsidize internet networks. In this paper we review some systematic flaws of present subsidy policies and outline a promising alternative. We propose that governments should treat the broadband infrastructure as a public responsibility and set up intelligently designed public-private partnerships that fund and temporarily operate the broadband in exchange for collecting service fees and, if necessary, subsidies. Simple “least-present value of revenue” auctions should be used to award all concessions, not only those that require subsidies, and concessions should flexibly revert to public ownership depending on realized revenues. This procurement method is easy to use, immune to strategic manipulations and renegotiations, and has already proven successful in procuring toll-roads and bridges.

Suggested Citation

  • Elmar G. Wolfstetter, 2021. "Universal High-Speed Broadband Provision: An Alternative Policy Approach," CESifo Working Paper Series 9014, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_9014
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    File URL: https://www.cesifo.org/DocDL/cesifo1_wp9014.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public-private partnerships; auctions; universal service auctions; high-speed broadband provision; public finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications

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