Enabling Mobile Communications for the Needy: An International Comparison of Solutions and Impacts (With Focus on Europe)

19 Pages Posted: 5 Aug 2009

See all articles by Louis-Francois Pau

Louis-Francois Pau

Copenhagen Business School (CBS); Rotterdam School of Management; L.M. Ericsson; GIBS

Date Written: November 1, 2008

Abstract

This keynote presentation from the COST605 WG2 public workshop on "Mobile communications for the poor and needy", Lisbon, November 2008, gives definitions and an overview about how mobile communications and appropriate tariffs can help this disfavoured group. Statistical data are provided mostly from European countries. The importance of the group is also given for suppliers, operators, social authorities and others. The policy debate is summarized comparing new policies to the old universal service obligation. A new benchmarking method is proposed based on the purchasing power parity disposable income measured in mobile communications minutes. A second method is proposed based on the residual disposable income for communications. Several solutions and policies based on active solidarities are proposed.

Keywords: mobile communications, poor, needy, affordability, social tariffs, purchasing power, residual purchasing power, policies

JEL Classification: I3, L96, D12, D18, D6, H23, J61

Suggested Citation

Pau, Louis-Francois, Enabling Mobile Communications for the Needy: An International Comparison of Solutions and Impacts (With Focus on Europe) (November 1, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1442828 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1442828

Louis-Francois Pau (Contact Author)

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) ( email )

Solbjerg Plads 3
Frederiksberg C, DK - 2000
Denmark

Rotterdam School of Management ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
Room T08-21
3000 DR Rotterdam, 3000 DR
Netherlands

L.M. Ericsson ( email )

Kista
Sweden

GIBS ( email )

Lynnwood Road
Pretoria 5100, 0002
South Africa

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