Superfast - Is it really worth a subsidy?

This paper by Robert Kenny and his brother Charles considers whether subsidies for superfast broadband (typically based on fibre-to-the-home) are justified. It takes a close look at the social and economic arguments for subsidies, and finds that they do not stand up to scrutiny.

The paper has attracted considerable attention, particularly in Australia, where the government is investing over A$50bn in rolling out fibre-to-the-home. It was cited in the House of Representatives and presented to MPs. Some of the reaction was favourable, some was not (a reply to the latter is here, on page 6).

An academic version of the paper was published in the journal info (Vol. 13 Iss: 4, pp.3 - 29). info were kind enough to name it their Paper of the Year.

In addition to the long-form report, there is also a shorter version.

Supporting fibre rollout in Ireland

In this report for eir, Brian Williamson sets out the competition and investment case for continued pricing flexibility for fibre to the cabinet. More proportionate options than the comprehensive price controls proposed by ComReg are also suggested, should greater restraint on pricing be judged appropriate.

Sustainable journalism - a submission to the Cairncross Review

The Cairncross Review is examining the sustainability of high quality journalism, including an investigation of the impact of digital platforms.

Rob Kenny and Robin Foster, in their submission to the Review, argue that the challenges facing newspapers have been developing over decades, and largely pre-date the advent of the platforms. In particular, newspapers' offers to both advertisers and readers have been unbundled, with multiple fierce competitors for each element of the former bundles.

Newspapers have been investing and experimenting with a range of business models in response, and there are early signs of success, at least for certain types of outlet. However, a significant shake-out seems likely for those offering more commoditised news.

A clear public interest in journalism remains, and Rob and Robin offer some suggestions as to how this might be supported.

The challenges of regulating the cloud

Rob Kenny has authored a report on the challenge of regulating the cloud.

You can download the report here.

The future of connectivity

In this paper Brian Willamson and Robert Kenny take a look at trends in connectivity, and in particular the slowing in demand growth that calls for a substantial rethink in telecoms policy, and the abandonment of a target-driven approach.