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The Economic Impacts of Broadband Internet: A Survey

  • Irene Bertschek EMAIL logo , Wolfgang Briglauer , Kai Hüschelrath , Benedikt Kauf and Thomas Niebel
Published/Copyright: December 28, 2016

Abstract

We provide a structured overview of the quantitative research on the economic impacts of broadband internet. Differentiating between wireline and wireless technologies as well as broadband availability and broadband adoption, respectively, we review studies investigating the impacts on economic growth, employment and regional development as well as productivity and firm performance. Eventually, the survey does not only allow the identification of main research gaps but also provides useful information for policy makers on the significance and importance of communication networks for social welfare.

Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to the editor and two anonymous referees for highly valuable and insightful comments. Financial support by the ZEW Sponsor’s Association for Science and Practice is gratefully acknowledged.

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Published Online: 2016-12-28
Published in Print: 2015-12-1

©2015 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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