The Welfare Effects of Mobile Internet Access: Evidence from Roam-Like-at-Home.

We evaluate the welfare effects of the Roam-like-at-home regulation, which has drastically reduced the price of accessing the mobile Internet for residents of the European Economic Area when travelling abroad in the European Economic Area. Our estimates using individual-level consumption data sugges...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Economic Journal Vol. 134; no. 659; pp. 1228 - 1247
Autores principales: Quinn, Martin, Godinho de Matos, Miguel, Peukert, Christian
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Oxford University Press / USA Apr2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:We evaluate the welfare effects of the Roam-like-at-home regulation, which has drastically reduced the price of accessing the mobile Internet for residents of the European Economic Area when travelling abroad in the European Economic Area. Our estimates using individual-level consumption data suggest that consumer surplus increased by around €2.44 per user and travel day. We show that around 40% of the consumer surplus gains originated from a reduction in deadweight loss, that is, new users accessing the mobile Internet. We also highlight that the regulation had a heterogeneous impact on consumers, varying with usage intensity and the reason for travel (business versus leisure).