Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/277989 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
32nd European Conference of the International Telecommunications Society (ITS): "Realising the digital decade in the European Union – Easier said than done?", Madrid, Spain, 19th - 20th June 2023
Publisher: 
International Telecommunications Society (ITS), Calgary
Abstract: 
This paper assesses the impact of mobile network sharing in Europe during the 2000-2019 period, looking at 140 mobile operators in 29 countries. We find that - consistent with economic theory - network sharing generated significant benefits for operators and consumers, including lower prices and improved network coverage and quality. This was driven by cost reductions, higher returns on investment and increased competition. These effects materialised heterogeneously, with the impact of network sharing depending on the type of sharing, the technology cycle in which it is entered into as well as the market position and size of the operators entering the agreement. This has important implications going forward as it shows that network sharing can play a vital role in the deployment of new 5G networks and that the technological and market specificity of each type of sharing agreement can significantly affect its outcomes.
Subjects: 
Network sharing
infrastructure sharing
mobile communications
network competition
JEL: 
D22
L10
L20
L96
Document Type: 
Conference Paper

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