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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | 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. |
| Keywords: | Broadband policy, Broadband speed trajectory, UK hotspots and notspots, Universal Service Obligation for Broadband |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itse25:334160 |
| By: | Simon Dato; Eberhard Feess; Jan-Patrick Mayer; Gerd Muehlheusser; Petra Nieken |
| Abstract: | Using a behavioral game-theoretical model and an experiment we study how information and communication influence coordination in groups when they can misreport the outcome of a binary lottery. Both group members receive a positive payoff only if their reports match. Consistent with our theory, nearly all groups coordinate when allowed to communicate prior to submitting their individual reports. The extent of coordination on either truth-telling or lying is correlated with the individual lying costs. Overall, both information and communication promote coordination on more dishonesty. These findings underscore how information and communication can increase coordination and dishonesty depending on intrinsic lying-aversion. |
| Keywords: | group decisions, unethical behavior, lying, coordination, group video chat |
| JEL: | C92 D70 D83 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12339 |
| By: | Margaryan, Tamar; Yedigaryan, Knarik |
| Abstract: | Armenia's information-communication-technology (ICT) exports climbed to US $1.1 billion in 2023, a 43 percent year-on-year surge that places the small Caucasus republic among the world's ten fastest-growing tech exporters. This paper asks how Armenia's digital capacities can be operationalised in the European Union's Global Gateway to deliver secure, sustainable, and inclusive connectivity between Europe and the Global South. We combine gravity-model trade simulations, layer-three latency mapping, venture-capital deal analytics, and 27 expert interviews to identify three high-impact leverage points: Trusted Data Corridors that scale the 2024 EU4Digital cross-border e-ID pilot; Dual-use SpaceTech Hubs building on Armenia's first national satellite and Starlink rollout; Diaspora-backed Innovation Funds such as Formula VC II (US $30 million, 35-40 deals). A risk-adjusted Monte-Carlo model suggests that a €180 million Armenian Digital Gateway Facility (ADGF) could unlock €1.2 billion in additional trade and 9 000 ICT jobs by 2030 while cutting data-transit latency to Frankfurt by 32 ms (73 Ç 41 ms). Comparative analysis with Estonia's e-Residency programme demonstrates the viability of small-state digital-hub strategies. A five-year implementation road-map and policy recommendations on cyber-resilience, skills mobility, and ESG governance offer a replicable template for other middle-income innovation hubs. |
| Keywords: | digital connectivity, Global Gateway, Armenia, EU-Global-South relations, trusted data corridors, ICT exports |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:opodis:333908 |
| By: | Tehranchian, Amirmansour; Roudari, Soheil; Khabbaz, Seyedeh Mahsa |
| Abstract: | New technologies play an increasingly vital role in managing energy resources and enhancing environmental sustainability. Given the significant challenges posed by the use of non-renewable energy sources, it is essential to examine how technology can mitigate their consumption and promote ecological resilience. This study investigates the asymmetric effects of non-renewable energy consumption on ecological resilience through technological influence in Iran over the period 1990–2022, using the Threshold Structural Vector Autoregression (TSVAR) model. The results reveal a threshold of 0.171% for the growth rate of non-renewable energy consumption, beyond which the impact on ecological resilience differs substantially. The study finds that the ecological response varies depending on whether energy consumption is above or below this threshold. These findings underscore the importance of integrating advanced technologies and digital solutions into the energy sector. Policy implications include prioritizing technological innovation and smart energy systems to improve efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and ultimately strengthen ecological resilience across multiple dimensions. |
| Keywords: | Energy consumption , Ecological resilience , Information and communications technology , TSVAR model |
| JEL: | Q35 Q50 |
| Date: | 2025–05–18 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:126834 |