The Value of Network Neutrality to European Consumers

26 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2015 Last revised: 27 Aug 2015

See all articles by René Arnold

René Arnold

WIK-Consult GmbH; Wissenschaftliches Institut für Infrastruktur und Kommunikationsdienste

Martin Waldburger

WIK-Consult GmbH

Anna Schneider

Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences; Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences

Frieder Schmid

YouGov Deutschland AG

Bastian Morasch

YouGov Deutschland AG

Date Written: August 15, 2015

Abstract

BEREC’s recognition of network neutrality as a key policy priority in 2010 has led to various related activities, for instance a fact-finding on traffic management practices and an assessment of IP interconnection. In consequence, European regulators have gained a solid basis for determining next steps. However, this is only the case for network neutrality questions related to the supply side of Internet Access Service (IAS). The demand side has been tackled to a much lesser extent. How do consumers understand and conceptualize network neutrality? Do consumers value aspects of net neutrality in their preferences for IAS offers? These questions drive the consumer research, for which BEREC commissioned an extensive study.

One particularly relevant research objective for the study was to understand the effect that information has on consumer behavior. This addresses this research objective and sheds light on the relevance of qualitative insights in developing meaningful consumer information on the complex subject of network neutrality. Furthermore, the paper describes the effects of such consumer information as measured by a representative online survey in four European countries (CR, CZ, EL SE).

In the survey, one half of respondents received an information package on network neutrality and its effects, whilst the other half did not. Our results show clearly that respondents who received the information package had a significantly better understanding of the issue of network neutrality and its effects on their quality of experience. However, this additional knowledge did not affect their choices for IAS products nor their attitudes towards network neutrality.

Our paper highlights the importance of mixed-methods consumer research guiding policymaking and regulation in particular with respect to topics such as network neutrality that immediately affect consumers’ quality of experience. Furthermore, our paper illustrates that consumer information should use vivid animation in order to be effective. Furthermore, we found that network neutrality-related product attributes play an important role in consumer purchase decisions for IAS products. Given the complex nature of the subject, stakeholders and among them in particular ISPs who want to bring new IAS offers to market will need to understand consumer behavior and preferences in more depth.

Keywords: network neutrality, net neutrality, consumer, Internet access, focus group, conjoint choice, Europe

JEL Classification: C42, C91, D12

Suggested Citation

Arnold, René and Arnold, René and Waldburger, Martin and Schneider, Anna and Schneider, Anna and Schmid, Frieder and Morasch, Bastian, The Value of Network Neutrality to European Consumers (August 15, 2015). TPRC 43: The 43rd Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2572310 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2572310

René Arnold (Contact Author)

WIK-Consult GmbH ( email )

Rhöndorfer Str. 68
Bad Honnef, 53604
Germany

Wissenschaftliches Institut für Infrastruktur und Kommunikationsdienste ( email )

Rhöndorfer Str. 68
53604 Bad Honnef, 53604
Germany

Martin Waldburger

WIK-Consult GmbH ( email )

Rhöndorfer Str. 68
Bad Honnef, 53604
Germany

Anna Schneider

Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences ( email )

Limburger Str. 2
Idstein, 65510
Germany

Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences ( email )

Im MediaPark 4c
Cologne, 50670
Germany

Frieder Schmid

YouGov Deutschland AG ( email )

Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 72
Cologne, 50968
Germany

Bastian Morasch

YouGov Deutschland AG ( email )

Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 72
Cologne, 50968
Germany

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