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The Welfare Effects of Mobile Internet Access: Evidence from Roam-Like-at-Home

Author

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  • Martin Quinn
  • Miguel Godinho de Matos
  • Christian Peukert

Abstract

We evaluate the welfare effects of the Roam-like-at-home regulation, which has drastically reduced the price of accessing the mobile Internet for residents of the European Economic Area when travelling abroad in the European Economic Area. Our estimates using individual-level consumption data suggest that consumer surplus increased by around €2.44 per user and travel day. We show that around 40% of the consumer surplus gains originated from a reduction in deadweight loss, that is, new users accessing the mobile Internet. We also highlight that the regulation had a heterogeneous impact on consumers, varying with usage intensity and the reason for travel (business versus leisure).

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Quinn & Miguel Godinho de Matos & Christian Peukert, 2024. "The Welfare Effects of Mobile Internet Access: Evidence from Roam-Like-at-Home," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 134(659), pages 1228-1246.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:econjl:v:134:y:2024:i:659:p:1228-1246.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Zherui Gan & Yuhang Mao & Can Zeng & Zhenguo Wang, 2025. "To What Extent and How Does Internet Penetration Affect a Firm’s Upgrading in the Global Value Chain? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-24, April.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities

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