Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP9827
Authors: Marc Bourreau; Frago Kourandi; Tommaso Valletti
Abstract: We propose a two-sided model with two competing Internet platforms, and a continuum of Content Providers (CPs). We study the effect of a net neutrality regulation on capacity investments in the market for Internet access, and on innovation in the market for content. Under the alternative discriminatory regime, platforms charge a priority fee to those CPs which are willing to deliver their content on a fast lane. We find that under discrimination investments in broadband capacity and content innovation are both higher than under net neutrality. Total welfare increases, though the discriminatory regime is not always beneficial to the platforms as it can intensify competition for subscribers. As platforms have a unilateral incentive to switch to the discriminatory regime, a prisoner's dilemma can arise. We also consider the possibility of sabotage, and show that it can only emerge, with adverse welfare effects, under discrimination.
Keywords: innovation; investment; net neutrality; platform competition; two-sided markets
JEL Codes: L13; L51; L52; L96
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| net neutrality (L96) | broadband capacity investment (E22) |
| net neutrality (L96) | content innovation (O36) |
| discriminatory regime (J15) | broadband capacity investment (E22) |
| discriminatory regime (J15) | content innovation (O36) |
| discriminatory regime (J15) | total welfare (D69) |
| discriminatory regime (J15) | prisoners' dilemma among ISPs (C72) |
| sabotage (Y60) | adverse welfare effects (D69) |