Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/216847 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
DICE Discussion Paper No. 334
Publisher: 
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), Düsseldorf
Abstract: 
The upgrade of legacy infrastructure is a challenging undertaking in general. The underlying issues are especially prominent for telecommunications networks outside of urban areas. Using German micro-level data, we identify the structural determinants for fiber optics deployment and its extent. We also measure the role of technology competition from the existing infrastructures, VDSL-Vectoring and TV-Cable. In this setting and exploiting a natural experiment, a technologically restrictive policy as proposed by the European Commission is found to be ineffective in promoting fiber deployment. Policy interventions in the form of subsidies targeted at specific local infrastructure projects, however, raise the likelihood of fiber deployment by a substantial margin. A targeted, proactive policy approach is therefore needed to overcome structural and geographical disadvantages.
Subjects: 
Fiber expansion
Technology competition
Technology regulation
Subsidies
Regional Infrastructure
JEL: 
D22
L52
L86
L96
O18
ISBN: 
978-3-86304-333-9
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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