Keeping an eye on downstream competition is important in spectrum auctions where bidders can put together their own spectrum packages and the number of winners is determined by the auction process. Jon Coates reviews some of the tools that have been used traditionally for safeguarding competition, and discusses novel approaches that are considered for upcoming awards. Continue reading →

Net neutrality is an intuitively attractive concept, but when it comes to translating it into practice some complications become apparent. Eimear Sexton gives an overview of the current debate about what net neutrality might mean in practice, and suggests some basic principles with which net neutrality legislation should comply. Continue reading →

The European Commission’s Digital Agenda sets ambitious targets for broadband speeds and take-up, which in all likelihood require substantial investments in fibre-to-the-home networks, but so far such investment is not taking place on a large scale. Michael Weekes considers why this might be the case, and what this means for regulatory policy. Continue reading →

The forthcoming IPO of social networking firm Facebook is one of the most anticipated stock floatations of the year. Christian Koboldt asks whether network effects and the theory of two-sided markets are enough to justify the expected market capitalisation. Continue reading →

Water resources are scarce and thus need to be used in a way that is sustainable for the environment while maximising social welfare. Michael Weekes looks at the role that an efficient water trading regime could play in the allocation of water and what hurdles will need to be overcome to establish a liquid market. Continue reading →

Is there a ‘right’ framework to assess mobile tariffs, in particular with regard to the pricing levels for MTR, LTS calls and roaming. Dan Maldoom discusses competitive incentives, consumers’ choices and recent regulatory developments in European mobile markets. Continue reading →

Why would the same frequencies in different countries sell at rather different prices? James Key analyses the outcomes of recent spectrum auctions in Italy and Spain. Continue reading →

Arisa Siong and Daniel Wagner discuss how regulation affects the incentives for investments in smart meters and smart grids and look at the roll-out of smart technology in the European energy market. Continue reading →

Yonja Hussein writes about current research on the cost involved in making payments. Perhaps surprisingly, cash is a rather costly payment instrument, and substantial cost savings could be made if the cost of paying for customers and merchants were more transparent and more in line with the end-to-end cost of the payment system. Continue reading →

Eimear Sexton discusses the ongoing need for pricing spectrum usage rights administratively and highlights some of the challenges and pitfalls in using market prices established through auctions for setting spectrum prices.

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