The Economic Impacts of Telecommunications Networks and Broadband Internet: A Survey

We provide a structured overview of the quantitative literature on the economic impacts of telecommunications networks and broadband internet. Differentiating between wireline and wireless technologies as well as broadband availability and broadband adoption, respectively, we review studies investigating the impacts on economic growth, employment and regional development as well as productivity and firm performance. Eventually, the survey does not only allow the identification of main research gaps but also provides useful information for policy makers on the significance and importance of communication networks for social welfare.

Keywords: Telecommunications; Broadband; Economic Growth; Employment; Regional Development; Productivity

JEL Classification: D24; J23; J24; L96; O33; O47

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Bertschek, Irene and Briglauer, Wolfgang and Hüschelrath, Kai and Kauf, Benedikt and Niebel, Thomas, The Economic Impacts of Telecommunications Networks and Broadband Internet: A Survey (August 15, 2016). ZEW - Centre for European Economic Research Discussion Paper No. 16-056, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2828085 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2828085