Which Internet Policy? Assessing Regional Initiatives in Spain

Abstract

We examine the effect of public policy on the growth of Internet use. Using a decentralized country-Spain-as an example, we compare the 17 Spanish regions to test different Internet policy designs, taking into account the quality and number of specific programs promoted by regional governments, as well as the presence or absence of strategic planning in each region. We treat the percentage of Internet users as a dependent variable to compare its diffusion in different territories. Our findings show that educational levels and economic differences explain about half of the variations observed. Furthermore, the regional policies play a significant role in explaining regional variations. We investigate which public policy instruments are more significant for the development of the Internet, and find that focused policy intervention and complex policy initiatives are more significant than other policy instruments in explaining the increase in the percentage of Internet users.

Universal Service Policy in Vietnam: A Supply � Demand Perspective

“…Likewise, though not becoming the leading country on broadband penetration, Japan by applying complex programs is also successful with regard to achieving a high broadband penetration rate within a short time (Falch, 2007) or satisfy the highest service quality in the world (Takada, 2003). This point of view is as well similar to the study of Jordana et al (2005). In their research, Jordana et al (2005) posit that more complex initiatives have more intense impacts than simple ones on the regional internet usage rate.…”

Universal Service Policy in Vietnam: A Supply � Demand Perspective

“…This point of view is as well similar to the study of Jordana et al (2005). In their research, Jordana et al (2005) posit that more complex initiatives have more intense impacts than simple ones on the regional internet usage rate. This argument is supported by the study of Damsgaard & Lyytinen (2001).…”

“…The strategy was clarified by five specific programs (e-Japan Priority Policy Program) 8 (Takada, 2003). It can be said that the e-Japan Strategy was an ambitious program that Japan anticipated being the world's most advanced IT nation within five years (Takada, 2003).…”

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