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Tariff diversity and competition policy: drivers for broadband adoption in the European Union

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  • Mirjam R. J. Lange

    (Goethe University of Frankfurt a.M.)

Abstract

While second-degree price discrimination is standard in commercial practice in many industries, consumer advocates and public interest groups have reacted with skepticism to tendencies to move away from flat rates and introduce greater tariff diversity. This paper uses time-series data to provide an empirical analysis of how the differentiation of broadband tariffs with respect to retail prices affects fixed broadband subscription. The empirical analysis is based on a unique dataset of 10,200 retail broadband offers spanning the 2003–2011 period and including 23 EU member states. Results show that an increase in tariff diversity provides a significant impetus to broadband adoption, wherefore demands by several public interest groups to limit price discrimination in broadband markets should be viewed with some caution as reduced price discrimination may come at the cost of lower penetration rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirjam R. J. Lange, 2017. "Tariff diversity and competition policy: drivers for broadband adoption in the European Union," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 52(3), pages 285-312, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:regeco:v:52:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11149-017-9344-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11149-017-9344-8
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    3. Aravantinos, Elias & Petre, Konstantin & Katsianis, Dimitris & Varoutas, Dimitris, 2021. "Determinants of FTTH tariffs evolution in EU: A panel data analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(10).
    4. Leogrande, Angelo & Costantiello, Alberto & Laureti, Lucio, 2021. "The Broadband Penetration in Europe," MPRA Paper 110457, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Broadband demand; Tariff diversity; Price discrimination; Dynamic panel data analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications

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