Africa and Europe - Information Policies and Metrics

Abstract:     
In Europe there has been growing concern over green house gas emissions and energy efficiency. The costs and carbon footprint of telecommunications represent a new set of indicators.

Counting cellphones proves more complex than expected, with many being unaccounted for as individuals, even in very countries acquire several SIM-cards and even two phones.

A major bottleneck in international undersea cables is finally being removed for Africa. However, measuring its effect is proving difficult.

While in Africa broadband is still rare, in Europe it is increasingly commonplace, but in every more complex bundles, with telephony, television and other services. Counting customers and comparing services grows ever more complex. New indicators are appearing, such as having uploaded content in a three month period.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 20

Keywords: Telecommunications, Mobile, Broadband, Indicators, Africa, Europe

JEL Classification: O52, O55, R38, l96

working papers series