Creating public value with municipal Wi-Fi networks: a bottom-up methodology
Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance
ISSN: 2398-5038
Article publication date: 17 February 2023
Issue publication date: 7 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is evaluate the public value of municipal Wi-Fi networks by examining their costs and benefits. Increasing attention has been focused on the digital divide, i.e. inequalities in digital access, use and benefits, to a lesser extent on technologies providing opportunities to overcome these inequalities. Different theoretical traditions have approached the problem of the digital divide, this research represents a synthesis by combining a bottom-up approach to calculating the benefits of municipal Wi-Fi networks with an in-depth analysis of the digital divide in Europe.
Design/methodology/approach
After a systematic literature review, the paper uses a bottom-up methodology to evaluate the public value of a municipal Wi-Fi network by quantifying its potential benefits and costs. In addition, it includes different types of users based on the access opportunities available to them. It develops different scenarios for these users depending on the connection alternatives and the digital skills available across European countries.
Findings
By using data from the euro-28, the paper shows that, in general, the private value of a municipal Wi-Fi network is negative, the public value is positive. However, a greater public value is depending on the extent to which the benefits can be attributed to expectations about the arrival and usage of e-government services.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the quantitative analysis, the authors suggest that municipal Wi-Fi networks can provide the potential to bridge the digital divide. To generate public value, these networks have to be driven by a strong need for e-government services.
Practical implications
However, important factors in the adoption of these services are related to digital skills available in the particular region.
Social implications
In addition, public investment is required to stimulate the growth of broadband infrastructure in a complementary manner to enable public wireless networks.
Originality/value
The paper combines new insights into the cost calculations of municipal Wi-Fi networks with socioeconomic data on digital skills to examine different types of users.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
There has been not external funding for this project. The authors acknowledge the kind support and the opportunity to undertake parts of this research at DG Connectivity.
The authors thank the reviewers for the detailed reading and their useful comments.
The views expressed in this paper are a result of independent scientific research, they do not reflect in any way views of any other public or private institution.
Citation
van den Velden, J. and Sadowski, B.M. (2023), "Creating public value with municipal Wi-Fi networks: a bottom-up methodology", Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 77-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-12-2019-0107
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited