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The faster, the better? The impact of internet speed on employment

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  • Bai, Yang

Abstract

Does faster broadband generate more economic benefits than normal-speed broadband? This study examines the differential economic impacts of broadband of different speeds. Utilizing the broadband availability and speed data from the National Broadband Map, a first-differenced regression analysis was conducted to investigate if faster broadband more effectively boosts the employment. The analysis shows a positive relationship between broadband availability and county-level employment. However, compared to normal-speed broadband, faster broadband did not generate greater positive effects on employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Bai, Yang, 2017. "The faster, the better? The impact of internet speed on employment," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 21-25.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iepoli:v:40:y:2017:i:c:p:21-25
    DOI: 10.1016/j.infoecopol.2017.06.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Stocker, Volker & Whalley, Jason, 2018. "Public Policy Targets in EU Broadband Markets: The Role of Technological Neutrality," 29th European Regional ITS Conference, Trento 2018 184936, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    2. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Dürr, Niklas & Gugler, Klaus, 2021. "A retrospective study on the regional benefits and spillover effects of high-speed broadband networks: Evidence from German counties," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Anil Rupasingha & John Pender & Ryan Williams & Joshua Goldstein & Devika Nair, 2023. "Place‐based subsidies and employment growth in rural America: Evidence from the broadband initiatives programme," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(4), pages 677-708, August.
    4. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Krämer, Jan & Palan, Nicole, 2024. "Socioeconomic benefits of high-speed broadband availability and service adoption: A survey," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(7).
    5. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Stocker, Volker, 2020. "Bedeutung digitaler Infrastrukturen und Dienste und Maßnahmen zur Förderung der Resilienz in Krisenzeiten," Policy Notes 42, EcoAustria – Institute for Economic Research.
    6. Yulin Liu & Xiaomei Li & Xin Fang, 2024. "Income inequality among peers in China: Does internet penetration have a role?," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(3), pages 984-1004, August.
    7. Ma, Juan & Njangang, Henri, 2025. "The effect of gender inequality in internet access on energy poverty: A preliminary investigation in developing countries," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(6).
    8. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Dürr, Niklas S. & Falck, Oliver & Hüschelrath, Kai, 2019. "Does state aid for broadband deployment in rural areas close the digital and economic divide?," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 68-85.
    9. Lobo, Bento J. & Alam, Md Rafayet & Whitacre, Brian E., 2020. "Broadband speed and unemployment rates: Data and measurement issues," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1).
    10. Anil Rupasingha & John Pender & Ryan Williams, 2024. "Broadband and rural development: Impacts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Broadband Initiatives Program on saving and creating jobs," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(2), pages 698-721, April.
    11. Lindlacher, Valentin, 2021. "Low demand despite broad supply: Is high-speed Internet an infrastructure of general interest?," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    12. Wang, Huijuan & Ding, Lin & Guan, Rong & Xia, Yan, 2020. "Effects of advancing internet technology on Chinese employment: a spatial study of inter-industry spillovers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    13. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Stocker, Volker & Whalley, Jason, 2020. "Public policy targets in EU broadband markets: The role of technological neutrality," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(5).
    14. Dragomirescu-Gaina, Catalin & Freitas, Maria, 2017. "The social and economic preferences of a tech-savvy generation," MPRA Paper 84232, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Whitacre, Brian E. & Alam, Md Rafayet & Lobo, Bento J., 2018. "Econometric error nullifies finding of the impact of broadband speed on county-level employment," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 58-60.

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