An empirical analysis of the state of competition in OECD mobile wireless markets

Contra the current trend of deregulation, mobile wireless markets in the OECD member states appear, until recently, to have been more or less concentrated. The study estimates the equations for market concentration, mobile prices, and profits using annual panel data from 24 OECD member states for the 1998-2009 period, in order to assess their interaction. Mobile prices, measured by revenue per minute in constant USD PPP, are regarded as a direct measure of consumer welfare. Estimation results indicate that in the second half of the 2000s, market concentration had no effect on mobile prices, whereas the positive relationship between market concentration and profits persisted. In other words, the market-power hypothesis is rejected in the second half of the 2000s. This empirical result provides a strong case for a recent lenient approach towards regulation and merger attempts in OECD mobile wireless markets. Additionally, the study provides evidence that regulatory policies have affected mobile market structure and performance

Measuring embodied technical change in the US local telephone industry

This study attempts to measure the rate of embodied technical change by using a short-run variable cost function that contains arguments for labour and capital quality. In this short-run variable cost model, the expansion of the amount of physical capital increases variable costs due to more maintenance outlays, and then it leads to improvements in capital quality. When a measure of competition is included as a proxy for organizational efficiency, improvements in labour and capital quality explain more than two-thirds of productivity growth. The degree of returns to scale and the shadow cost of capital input in the embodiment cost model are presented as well. The study is based on pooled time-series and cross-section data of eight US local exchange carriers.

Information technology, efficiency and productivity: evidence from Korean local governments

This study evaluates the performance of Korean local government by measuring their technical efficiency (TE) and total factor productivity (TFP) growth and, more importantly, examining the impact of information technology (IT) on this performance. The study is different from received analysis in that a unique measure of the state of IT-the Informatization Index-is used to investigate the impact of IT on both TE and TFP growth. Empirical analyses are conducted on data from 222 Korean local governments for the period 1999 to 2001. In particular, data envelopment analysis techniques are applied to calculate TE scores and TFP growth rates for sampled local governments. The empirical findings confirm the positive impact IT has in improving technical efficiency and accelerating productivity growth. The estimated coefficients are correctly signed (with other regional characteristics controlled for) when TE scores and TFP growth rates are regressed on the Index. In addition, the findings indicate that economies of density are present in the production of local public services.

Competitive rivalry, inter-modal competition and market performance in the Korean cable television markets: An empirical analysis

This study consists of two empirical analyses regarding the state of competition in the Korean cable television (CATV) markets. In the first analysis, this study provides empirical evidence regarding the effects of intra-modal competition within the CATV markets and inter-modal competition from direct broadcast satellite (DBS) on market performance in the CATV industry prior to the introduction of internet protocol television (IPTV). The empirical results described herein demonstrate that intra-modal competition between two cable operators in the same franchise area tended to reduce both cable prices and operator profits, and to increase the CATV penetration rate. The strong presence of a DBS was concomitant with reductions in a cable operator's profitability and cable subscriptions. The second part of this study attempts to briefly describe the state of competition in the CATV industry for the post-IPTV period. The results demonstrate that IPTV experienced a rapid growth in its subscriptions, which exerted competitive pressures on cable prices. That is, IPTV is emerging as a close substitute for CATV shortly after its introduction. Considering the significant inter-modal competition that exists between cable and telecom operators, the results of this study indicates that a regulator should focus its policies on promoting this inter-modal competition.Cable television IPTV Competition Market performance Intra-modal competition Inter-modal competition

Optional telephone subscription scheme: a unique experiment in Korea

In 1998, Korea adopted an optional telephone subscription scheme (OTSS), under which new or existing subscribers could choose either the old or the new subscription plan. The main difference between these two plans is the ratio of the connection fee to the monthly charge. This paper attempts to investigate several policy questions related to the change of the telephone subscription scheme. First, the paper examines the relationship between the telephone subscription scheme and competition in telecommunications, especially local competition. Secondly, we conduct international comparisons of the connection fee and the monthly charge to examine economically efficient fixed rate structures. Finally, after describing how the price levels for the new plan are determined, a consumer choice model is set up in order to predict the number of subscribers who will buy the new plan. The experience of the OTSS in Korea provides various implications for telecommunications policy issues in many countries.Telephone rate structure Competition Discrete choice model

MERGERS, CAPITAL GAINS, AND PRODUCTIVITY: EVIDENCE FROM U.S. TELECOMMUNICATIONS MERGERS

The article examines the effects of two horizontal mergers on the performance of the respective operating companies. The effects of the mergers are investigated by comparing the performance of the merging companies with a control group of nonmerging companies and also the performance of the merging companies before and after merger. The article concludes that mergers did not produce net economies of scale, did not lead to substantial productivity growth or cost reduction, and did not generate significant shareholder wealth effects. It is, to the authors' knowledge, the first study of mergers that combines the analysis of productivity and cost effects, on one hand, with an examination of the effects on financial variables, on the other hand. (JEL "L11", "L9") Copyright 2006 Western Economic Association International.

Substitution between Mobile and Fixed Telephones in Korea

Panel data, substitution effects, telephone industry,