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US broadband policy and the spatio‐temporal evolution of broadband markets
Author(s) -
Mack Elizabeth A.,
Grubesic Tony H.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
regional science policy and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.342
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 1757-7802
DOI - 10.1111/rsp3.12042
Subject(s) - lagging , broadband , competition (biology) , intervention (counseling) , index (typography) , business , broadband networks , public policy , telecommunications , industrial organization , economics , economic growth , computer science , statistics , mathematics , psychology , ecology , psychiatry , world wide web , biology
A foundational tenet of US broadband policy is that competition will yield benefits to consumers. An outstanding question related to this policy is whether stimulating competition has worked. This study outlines a methodology and index, the broadband evolution index ( BEI ) that facilitates the spatio‐temporal analysis of broadband markets. Study results suggest lagging areas have caught up to leading areas in terms of the quantity of providers present. They have not caught up with respect to provider choice, platform choice, and access to high broadband speeds. This finding of a persistent urban/rural divide suggests public intervention in private markets is necessary, as is additional evaluation of the efficacy of these intervention strategies.