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Article
Publication date: 27 May 2014

Muhammad Sabbir Rahman and Md. Nusrate Aziz

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers’ perceptions and their behavioural intentions in selecting an internet broadband service in Malaysia by inspecting young users’…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers’ perceptions and their behavioural intentions in selecting an internet broadband service in Malaysia by inspecting young users’ perceptions, in respect of the technical, functional and experience economy perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey methodology using questionnaires was adopted to solicit the required information from 400 existing, as well as potential users. Data were analysed through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The research shows that in selecting an operator's service both technical and functional qualities are highly mediated by young consumers’ perceptions in explaining their behavioural intentions. The paper also finds that the experience economy variable has a direct effect, which is more dominant on young consumers’ behavioural intentions than the indirect effect through perception, which implies a partial mediation.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on young users’ perceptions and the implicative behavioural intentions in selecting a broadband operator within the Klang Valley area in Malaysia. Thus, it may not be generalized to all young consumers’ around the world.

Practical implications

This study identifies the perceived attributes of quality and experience economy as well as generalizing the young consumers’ buying intentions in selecting an internet broadband operator in Malaysia.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the existing literature because the study of the behavioural aspects of young consumers is of great importance for marketers to identify the consumers’ ultimate choice in internet broadband selection in Malaysia.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Lara Srivastava

Broadband networks, enabling high‐speed and always‐on Internet connections, are now seen by many to be critical for economic growth and development, both at the national and…

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Abstract

Broadband networks, enabling high‐speed and always‐on Internet connections, are now seen by many to be critical for economic growth and development, both at the national and global level. Much energy has been invested in the deployment of broadband infrastructure around the world, and governments and industry have now begun addressing the demand side of the broadband challenge, i.e. ways in which to encourage take‐up among users. The present article zooms in on one of the leading countries in broadband, Iceland. It examines the main strategies, policies and regulations in place for promoting broadband in a country that has the world’s highest number of Internet users per capita, and posits on the main opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Details

info, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 January 2014

Christoph Stork, Enrico Calandro and Ranmalee Gamage

This paper aims to provide an answer as to whether fibre to the home and other types of fixed internet access still have a role to play in Africa beyond a few urban elites, as

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an answer as to whether fibre to the home and other types of fixed internet access still have a role to play in Africa beyond a few urban elites, as well as what business models are likely to be successful in the African context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses data from nationally representative ICT household surveys conducted in 12 African countries in 2012. These data are complemented by an OECD broadband pricing methodology and data. In addition to the OECD basket methodology, own baskets were defined to capture the complexity of African products, and to draw out the different business models for fixed and mobile broadband.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that if fixed internet is provided as an uncapped service at an affordable price, it has a chance to at least co-exist with mobile broadband in Africa. The availability of fixed internet is rapidly diminishing where it is offered as a capped service and not at prices similar to mobile broadband. The paper also demonstrates that fixed-line telecommunication companies should to focus on data only before mobile operators do, and they lose out once again.

Practical implications

In Africa, mobile voice overtook fixed voice at the turn of the millennium with the introduction of prepaid services. Ten years later, mobile internet is rapidly overtaking fixed internet by overcoming key obstacles to fixed internet access. While the developed world discusses the merits of fixed and mobile broadband, it is clear that for Africa, fixed broadband in the form of fibre to the home, or even plain ADSL, will only reach a few urban elites in the next decade. Fixed-line operators then should rethink their pricing and investment strategies: they are advised to invest in high-speed technologies such as VDSL or fibre to the home, if fixed broadband is to stand a chance against mobile broadband. Whether fixed-line operators will lose the data battle as well will be determined by their business decisions as well as by policy and regulatory interventions.

Originality/value

This paper uses primary household and individual data that allows for a better understanding of internet access and use in Africa. The analysis of internet access prices for ADSL against prepaid and post-paid mobile broadband is used to assess broadband business strategies across 12 African countries. The paper provides policymakers and regulators with the evidence required for an informed ICT policy and regulation and it recommends business strategies that should be pursued by operators to improve broadband sector performance.

Article
Publication date: 3 May 2013

Hernan Galperin, Judith Mariscal and María Fernanda Viecens

The ambitious government initiatives currently underway to accelerate broadband development indicate a major shift from the consensus that prevailed during the 1990 s in the

Abstract

Purpose

The ambitious government initiatives currently underway to accelerate broadband development indicate a major shift from the consensus that prevailed during the 1990 s in the telecommunications sector. To what extent does this change represent a return to the period before market liberalization and the privatization of government‐run telecom services? What are the main objectives of national broadband plans and which policy tools are best suited to achieve them? This paper aims to analyze these questions through a comparative analysis of the goals, policy instruments and network‐deployment models of the most relevant national broadband plans adopted in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a comparative analysis of the goals, policy instruments and network‐deployment models of the most relevant national broadband plans adopted in Latin America.

Findings

Common patterns and key differences between the initiatives adopted in five countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico) are identified and compared to those deployed in developed countries. Variations in the strategies adopted are linked to national differences in economic endowments and the broader processes of political change in Latin America.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper making this comparative analysis.

Details

info, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Alexandre de Streel

The regulation of electronic communications has been recently reformed in Europe. One striking feature of the review was to base most of the economic regulation – the so‐called…

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Abstract

The regulation of electronic communications has been recently reformed in Europe. One striking feature of the review was to base most of the economic regulation – the so‐called significant market power regime – on antitrust principles. In particular, the regulated markets have to be defined according to competition law methodologies. This paper describes this approach and studies in detail the recently adopted Commission recommendation “on relevant markets susceptible to ex‐ante regulation”. The paper concludes with three policy recommendations. First, as regulation is more flexible and more complex, national regulators should co‐operate among themselves and national courts should only reform regulatory decisions in case of manifest error. Second, as regulation is not any more justified by the “original sin” of the previous monopolists, but by the inefficiency of antitrust to control market power, NRA should be cautious not to overly expand their intervention. Third, as ex ante market definitions are aligned on antirust principles, authorities should make sure that market definition is not a goal in itself but only a means to achieve the policy objectives of the sector‐specific regulation.

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2010

Marieke Fijnvandraat and Harry Bouwman

The objective of this paper is to offer a validated framework for the analysis of (future) risks and uncertainties involved in the decision‐making process concerning the upgrade

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to offer a validated framework for the analysis of (future) risks and uncertainties involved in the decision‐making process concerning the upgrade and roll‐out of large infrastructural projects, e.g. broadband networks. The framework classifies risks and uncertainties based on the nature of the risks, levels and sources.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of conceptual as well as qualitative and quantitative empirical analyses.

Findings

Telecommunications operators are faced with various types of risks and uncertainties in their decision‐making process concerning the upgrade and roll‐out of their broadband networks. In one respect, these risks and uncertainties have to do with the characteristics of large infrastructural projects, while, on the other hand, being caused by (unknown) competitor behaviour, (unknown) end‐user demand, rapid technological development and different development paths available to operators. Framing risks and uncertainties into a typology provides greater insight into the categories, characteristics and sources of the risks and uncertainties, as well as being a first step in finding ways to deal with them.

Originality/value

The paper presents and validates a framework for the analysis of risks and uncertainty. It also offers empirical data on how operators manage risk and uncertainties.

Details

Foresight, vol. 12 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2013

Richard A. Cawley

This paper aims to examine the recent performance of European Union (EU) telecommunications policy in the context of the policy aims set out in the original green paper of 1987

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the recent performance of European Union (EU) telecommunications policy in the context of the policy aims set out in the original green paper of 1987. It also aims to consider some problems encountered in applying the regulatory rules to interconnection, mobile roaming and broadband.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on economic and institutional analysis undertaken in 2007, complemented with monitoring of the EU policy response and empirical evidence until 2012.

Findings

The paper finds that, despite the success of the regulatory reform of 2003, the EU has encountered problems in dealing with a few “big ticket” policy items via its market reviews. The difficulties stem from a mix of factors, including poor methodological design and an erroneous assumption that effective competition is feasible in all market segments. Three main avenues for improvement are suggested, whilst retaining the basic structure of the cycle of market reviews.

Originality/value

The paper draws on theory, as well as empirical and institutional evidence over two decades, to highlight some flaws in dealing with some key telecommunications policy issues in the EU. It is of value to policy makers, industry analysts and academics.

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2020

Pedro Fuentes Hernández, Rosa María Aguilar Chinea and Pedro Baquero Pérez

This paper aims to study the results of the public aid programmes, through supply-side subsidies, for ultra-fast next generation access (NGA) broadband deployment that have been…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the results of the public aid programmes, through supply-side subsidies, for ultra-fast next generation access (NGA) broadband deployment that have been developed in The Canary Islands since 2013. These findings will, in turn, hopefully help the policymakers of archipelagos define their own ultra-fast broadband development plans.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical approach has been used, based on the observation of the historical results obtained in the archipelago and the way broadband was diffused throughout the territory.

Findings

Results show that the broadband has developed asymmetrically in the archipelago, which, in turn, has caused the onset of a triple spatial digital divide. It was also observed that some aspects of the current way that such programmes are created and, consequently, the way that public funds are allocated, that could be improved and might help prevent geographical discrimination. Lastly, several insights have been presented for further investigation.

Originality/value

A large amount of scientific research has been carried out studying ultra-fast broadband NGA networks deployment. Less literature can be found on this topic when considering the specificities of fragmented territories like archipelagos. This paper tries to contribute with some empirical insights about such specific scenarios.

Details

Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-5038

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1999

Thomas Kiessling and Yves Blondeel

Shows that some national governments’ policy to promote specific market structures have either proved ineffective (France) or increased entry barriers, likely to raise industry…

Abstract

Shows that some national governments’ policy to promote specific market structures have either proved ineffective (France) or increased entry barriers, likely to raise industry cost (Spain). Argues high‐speed cable modems are the way forward for the future. Concludes, in order to achieve long‐term efficiency, the regulator should promote a mix of infrastructure and service competition to enable viability in the long term.

Details

info, vol. 1 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 August 2008

Daeho Kim

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the scope of universal service has been extended from voice telephony to include broadband and mobile communications in Korea. This

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the scope of universal service has been extended from voice telephony to include broadband and mobile communications in Korea. This paper addresses how Korea's approach to broadband and mobile service utilizes different strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an analysis of universal service policies. It applies five criteria for reviewing whether broadband and mobile communications could be included in the scope of universal service.

Findings

This paper addresses Korea's approach to broadband and mobile service utilizes different strategies. An information society policy was applied to broadband diffusion, while a regulatory policy was applied to mobile service diffusion. Korea's universal service expansion policy shows a government and industry integration model.

Originality/value

This paper shows Korea's unique approach for universal service. It deals with how universal service has been driven forward as a part of an information society plan and information divide bridging policy in Korea. With flexible approaches, broadband and mobile services could start to be regarded as universal services.

Details

info, vol. 10 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

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