We analyse competition between two network providers when the quality of each network depends negatively on the number of customers connected to that network. With respect to price competition we provide a sufficient condition for the existence of a unique pure strategy Nash equilibrium. Comparative statics show that as the congestion effect gets stronger quantities will decrease and prices increase, under both Bertrand and Cournot competition. In an example with endogenous capacities it turns out that capacities are strategic substitutes for both modes of ensuing competition. Welfare comparisons between Bertrand and Cournot competition are unambiguous for fixed capacities, but may turn around for endogenous capacities.
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Paper provided by DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research in its series Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin with number
402.
Length: 23 p. Date of creation: 2004 Date of revision: Publication status: Published in: Journal of Economics 91 (2007), No. 2, 151-176 Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp402
Find related papers by JEL classification: L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
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