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Evaluating market consolidation in mobile communications

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Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Genakos, C 
Valletti, TM 
Verboven, F 

Abstract

We study the dual relationship between market structure and prices and between market structure and investment in mobile telecommunications. Using a uniquely constructed panel of mobile operators' prices and accounting information across 33 OECD countries between 2002 and 2014, we document that more concentrated markets lead to higher end user prices. Furthermore, they also lead to higher investment per mobile operator, though the impact on total investment is not conclusive. Our findings are not only relevant for the current consolidation wave in the telecommunications industry. More generally, they stress that competition and regulatory authorities should take seriously the potential trade-off between market power effects and efficiency gains stemming from agreements between firms.

Description

Keywords

38 Economics, 3801 Applied Economics, 3802 Econometrics, 3803 Economic Theory

Journal Title

Economic Policy

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0266-4658
1468-0327

Volume Title

33

Publisher

Oxford University Press