https://hdl.handle.net/10419/44243 International Telecommunications Society (ITS) Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:33:16 GMT 2026-10-16T07:33:16Z http://econstor.eu:80/retrieve/80b4155f-d5f4-436e-b819-521b58e25fab/ITS.PNG https://hdl.handle.net/10419/44243 https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331266.2 Title: AI regulation and policy pathways in China, European Union, and the USA Authors: Deshpande, Advait Abstract: With the emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (including large language models) in the popular discourse, the debate on managing, governing, and regulating the impacts of AI on society has grown considerably. In part due to the unique breadth of AI's impacts and its varying implications for the various strata of human workforce, and society, approaches to AI regulation appear to diverge significantly. This combination of scale and potential disruption has caught the attention of regulators worldwide, with China, European Union (EU), and the United States of America (USA) as the forerunners in the regulatory activity. The aim of this paper is to examine the current state-of-play vis-à-vis regulatory approaches to AI and related technologies in China, EU, and the USA. The paper draws on documentary sources and peer-reviewed literature to examine the political and market dynamics at work, the policy pathways, including the processes, the decision-making approaches, and the intended outcomes of these regulatory and legislative approaches. The findings suggest that China's state-directed approach is aimed at integration of technical oversight, social harmony, and the growth of its sovereign AI capabilities. The EU's approach is a comprehensive, risk-based regulatory framework for AI building on its strengths in exporting technology-related rule-making. The USA’s approach to AI regulation is decentralised with multi-agency legislation targeting specific AI applications and outcomes while retaining its advantages in AI innovation. The findings are expected to be of interest to academics, researchers, and key stakeholders from government, industry, and the third sector actively engaged in regulation and governance of AI. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331266.2 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331265.2 Title: Into an (insulated) brick wall: mobile connectivity and the thermal efficiency of residential buildings Authors: Dempsey, Seraphim; Mahon, Ben Abstract: Climate mitigation policies often target the increased energy efficiency of the residential building stock through the use of insulating materials which reduce heat loss. However, building materials with low thermal transmissivity have higher radio signal attenuation rates, which may reduce indoor service quality for mobile data users. This paper examines how reports of indoor mobile coverage quality vary across areas characterised by energy-efficient residential buildings. We create a unique dataset which links a nationally representative survey of mobile consumer experiences collected in Ireland in Q2 2022 to an administrative dataset of Building Energy Ratings. Household level telecommunication infrastructure (quality of available outdoor mobile coverage and download speed of active fixed line broadband connection) is additionally considered using market intelligence data from the national regulatory authority. Our results show a positive association between living in areas with higher proportions of energy efficient homes and the probability of reporting an issue with indoor mobile phone signal. Robustness checks for quality of service issues in alternative locations, lend support to the hypothesis that this is driven by the channel of outdoor-to-indoor signal attenuation. These findings highlight the importance of considering developments across other policy domains when safe-guarding future connectivity. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331265.2 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/334160.2 Title: No need for speed?: An analysis of UK Broadband speeds from 2014 to 2024 Authors: Deshpande, Advait Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate broadband speed trends across the UK’s top and bottom-performing local authorities. The paper examines how the gap between the digital ‘hotspots’ (i.e., areas with fastest speeds) and ‘notspots’ (i.e., areas with slowest speeds) evolved in two distinct time periods: pre-pandemic (2014-2019) and post-pandemic (2020-2024). Based on the UK Office of Communications Connected Nations dataset from 2014 to 2024, the paper draws on descriptive temporal trend analysis and regression discontinuity analysis to produce three main findings on UK broadband connectivity from 2014 to 2024: • Quantification of the broadband speed trajectories. • Understanding of the digital divide between UK broadband hotspots and notspots over time before and after the Covid-19 pandemic; and • The impact of USO for broadband on performance and coverage of UK broadband infrastructure. The findings show that broadband quality in the UK improved substantially from 2014 to 2024 across all authority areas. Despite this, the digital divide widened in absolute terms i.e., the speed gap between hotspots and notspots increased almost three-fold. The findings highlight that island communities and remote rural regions in the UK need extra support beyond the universal service obligation. The paper argues that to fully understand the impact of USO for broadband policy (and other similar government interventions), the role of baseline connectivity and commercial investment priorities in long-term changes to broadband performance and coverage needs to be examined in conjunction with quantitative analysis of long-term data sets, and qualitative evidence to provide the necessary context on geographic constraints and local demand. These findings are expected to be of interest to academic researchers, communications industry stakeholders, and broadband policymakers. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/334160.2 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331305 Title: Beyond traditional planning: Using real options to navigate uncertainties in next-generation public safety projects Authors: Savunen, Tapio; Töyli, Juuso; Mähönen, Petri Abstract: This study examines the business aspects of mobile network operators (MNOs) in public safety mobile broadband projects using MNOs' 4G/5G networks. It compares incremental and waterfall project management approaches to assess their impact on MNO profitability, public funding requirements, and the management of investment uncertainty through real options. A discounted cash flow model was used to evaluate both approaches from the perspectives of MNOs and government authorities (GAs). The findings show that the incremental project management approach outperforms the waterfall approach for both MNOs and GAs, improving MNO profitability and reducing public funding needs through phased service introduction and user adoption. The choice between project management approaches depends on project goals – whether to prioritise rapid technology replacement or added value for public safety users. This study supports MNOs in optimising financial outcomes in public safety projects, provides strategic guidance for GAs in designing effective public safety procurement processes, and offers policy recommendations for regulation. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331305 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z