A cost study of fixed broadband access networks for rural areas

Determinants of broadband access and affordability: An analysis of a community survey on the digital divide

“…The research question of this paper is, what are the factors that explain the relationship between broadband access and affordability? The extant research has focused on broadband adoption in relationship to the urban and rural digital divide ( Oyana, 2011 ; Pereira, 2016 ; Rendon Schneir & Xiong, 2016 ). Our research is different in that we examine the digital divide within a city and identify significant differences in access intra city related to issues of affordability, while still utilizing the five-factor framework.…”

“…Even in remote locations where the broadband is available, the monthly cost can be higher because building telecommunications networks in rural areas is costly. ( Riddlesden & Singleton, 2014 ), ( Rendon Schneir & Xiong, 2016 ), ( Pereira, 2016 ), ( Oyana, 2011 ), ( Mingliu & Wolff, 2004 ), ( Grubesic, 2004 ). Competition Competition in the telecommunications sector helps make broadband more affordable to its citizens.…”

“…Further research has provided insights into the costs associated with the deployment of high capacity broadband and the cost implications in rural areas ( Rendon Schneir & Xiong, 2016 ). Rendon Schneir and Xiong (2016) deployed a cost model to determine the price of a home connected with fiber and copper-based network in rural areas versus a town or village. The cost model utilizes a variety of elements.…”

“…The cost model utilizes a variety of elements. Ultimately, the researchers concluded, that the cost for deploying a network infrastructure is 80% higher in rural areas as compared to deployment in a town or village ( Rendon Schneir & Xiong, 2016 ). The pressure to offer the same services for the same price in communities where the cost to deploy the technology is high will undoubtedly discourage private investments, creating little or no commitment to connecting areas that include smaller towns and rural areas due to a low return on investment.…”

Infrastructure investment on the margins of the market: The role of niche infrastructure providers in the UK

“…Nevertheless, both incumbents and their competitors have historically focused on the most densely populated areas (Grubesic & Murray, 2004). The economies of scale in broadband provision are a major deterrent to private investment in rural areas (Glass & Stefanova, 2012), which can even experience an internal digital divide due to the excessive costs of connecting geographically dispersed premises (Rendon Schneir & Xiong, 2016). Where the market fails to provide superfast broadband, public intervention is justified to complement private investment (European Commission, 2013), by providing financial support or even developing public networks (Frieden, 2013;Gómez-Barroso & Feijóo, 2009).…”