Broadband Adoption in the United States: An Empirical Analysis

Down to the Wire: Studies in the Diffusion and Regulation of Telecommunications Technologies, Allan L. Shampine, ed., July 2003

28 Pages Posted: 26 Jun 2003 Last revised: 9 Jun 2014

See all articles by Debra J. Aron

Debra J. Aron

Navigant Economics; Ankura Consulting Group; Northwestern University

David E. Burnstein

LIME Telecom

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: July 2003

Abstract

There is a policy debate at both state and federal levels over how to facilitate consumer adoption of the Internet and, particularly, broadband technology to access the Internet. The objective of this study is to offer empirical evidence directly relevant to this debate. In so doing, we examine the influence of availability, competition, and demographics on the adoption of broadband technology in the U.S. The focus of our study is on the effect of intermodal (cable modem v. DSL) competition on broadband penetration, relative to the effect of simple broadband availability. The econometric results indicate that after controlling for the demand and cost influences on adoption, intermodal competition drives increased penetration in a state. In fact, while total broadband penetration in a state increases with total broadband availability in the state, the effect of total availability disappears when intermodal competition is controlled for. It appears, then, that broadband availability in a state is driven by intermodal competition and the demand and cost factors, but not by raw availability of broadband services, given those other factors. The independent effect of direct, intermodal competition is statistically significant and of substantial magnitude.

Keywords: Telecommunications, Broadband, Cable Modem, DSL, Intermodal Competition, Regulatory Policy

JEL Classification: K2, L1, L5, L9, L96

Suggested Citation

Aron, Debra J. and Aron, Debra J. and Burnstein, David E., Broadband Adoption in the United States: An Empirical Analysis (July 2003). Down to the Wire: Studies in the Diffusion and Regulation of Telecommunications Technologies, Allan L. Shampine, ed., July 2003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=386100 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.386100

Debra J. Aron

Navigant Economics ( email )

1603 Orrington Ave
Suite 1500
Evanston, IL 60201
United States
847 424 4110 (Phone)

Ankura Consulting Group ( email )

1200 19th Street
Ste 600
Washington, DC 20036
United States

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

David E. Burnstein (Contact Author)

LIME Telecom ( email )

Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands

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