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Discounting telephone service: An examination of participation in the Lifeline Assistance Program using panel data

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  • Hauge, Janice A.
  • Jamison, Mark A.
  • Todd Jewell, R.

Abstract

We examine the Lifeline Assistance Program to consider reasons people forgo a program providing financial benefits. Using panel data we employ a feasible generalized least squares estimation in which the dependent variable is the logit of the Lifeline participation rate. Our unique database incorporates characteristics of the eligible rather than the general population. We find incumbent telecommunications providers' enrollment efforts are statistically significant, and that home ownership and female head of household are associated with greater participation; being elderly and less educated are associated with less participation. Additionally, we find that an increase in the local phone rate is associated with increased participation. Our findings are important for regulatory policy surrounding the Lifeline program and universal service programs generally.

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  • Hauge, Janice A. & Jamison, Mark A. & Todd Jewell, R., 2008. "Discounting telephone service: An examination of participation in the Lifeline Assistance Program using panel data," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 135-149, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iepoli:v:20:y:2008:i:2:p:135-149
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    Cited by:

    1. Bender, Kimberly & Schau, Nicholas & Begun, Stephanie & Haffejee, Badiah & Barman-Adhikari, Anamika & Hathaway, Jessica, 2015. "Electronic case management with homeless youth," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 36-42.
    2. Vogelsang Ingo, 2013. "The Endgame of Telecommunications Policy? A Survey," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 64(3), pages 193-270, December.
    3. Thomas S. Conkling, 2018. "Crowd‐Out or Affordability? The Lifeline Expansion's Effect on Wireless Service Spending," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(2), pages 357-383, March.
    4. Janice A. Hauge & Mark A. Jamison & R. Todd Jewell, 2007. "Participation in Social Programs by Consumers and Companies," Public Finance Review, , vol. 35(5), pages 606-625, September.
    5. Thomas S. Conkling, 2020. "Compliance and competition with heterogeneous service providers: the federal Lifeline program," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 74-104, February.
    6. Ford, George S., 2021. "Subsidies and substitution: An empirical study of the lifeline program," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1).

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