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  3. Journal of Economic Perspectives
  4. Spring 2020
  5. The Basic Economics of Internet Infrastructure

Journal of Economic Perspectives

ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)

The Basic Economics of Internet Infrastructure

  • Shane Greenstein
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 34, no. 2, Spring 2020
(pp. 192–214)
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Abstract

The internet's structure and operations remain invisible to most economists. What determines the economic value of internet infrastructure and the incentives to improve it? What are the open research questions for the most salient policy issues? This article reviews the basic economics of internet infrastructure, focusing attention on the economic questions motivated by public aspirations for ubiquitous availability and widespread adoption of internet protocols.

Citation

Greenstein, Shane. 2020. "The Basic Economics of Internet Infrastructure." Journal of Economic Perspectives 34 (2): 192–214. DOI: 10.1257/jep.34.2.192

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • L86 Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
  • L88 Industry Studies: Services: Government Policy
  • L96 Telecommunications
  • L98 Industry Studies: Utilities and Transportation: Government Policy