Description
Book SynopsisProvides an international perspective on theoretical approaches to data-based communications policymaking in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa
Trade Review"Making communications policy is difficult because policymakers are constantly forced to select one among multiple policy alternatives when neither principles nor theory can provide a definitive answer. Ideally data-based analysis could be used to resolve such uncertainties, but all too frequently the data available and empirical methods employed to analyze it are not up to the task. Beyond Broadband: Developing Data-Based Information Policy Strategies tackles this problem head-on. Chapters by leading communications policy scholars identify problems with the data and empirical methods currently employed to address communications policy problems, offer suggestions for improving both, and recommend process improvements to improve the way data-based analysis is used to inform policy decisions. Communications policy scholars and policy officials should both find this book to be a helpful resource." -- -Steven Wildman Michigan State University
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: Numbers That Matter Richard D. Taylor and Amit M Schejter PART I: Theory 1. Beyond Broadband Access: What Do We Need to Measure and How Do We Measure It Catherine Middleton 2. Understanding Digital Gaps: A Quartet of Empirical Methodologies Bin Zhang and Richard D. Taylor 3. Broadband Nicrofoundations: The Need for Traffic Data Steven Bauer, David Clark, and William Lehr 4. Ubiquitous Broadband Deployment: Examination of Adoption Factors, Network Competition, and Network Effects Sangwon Lee and Justin S. Brown 5. Approaches to Overcoming Data Challenges in International Comparisons Johannes Bauer and Sungjoong Kim 6. Data, Policy, and Democracy Jorge Reina Schement 7. "Rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens": Does Democracy Count? Amit M. Schejter PART II: The Use and Abuse of Data in Information Policymaking 8. Ph.D. Heal Thyself: In Search of Evidence Based Research for Evidence Based Policy Eli Noam 9. Case Studies in Abandoned Empiricism and Peer Review at the Federal Communication Commission Rob Frieden 10. The Determinants of Disconnectedness: Understanding US Broadband Unavailability Kenneth Flamm 11. Is European Broadband Spending a Sensible Project? The Opportunity Cost Concept and Implications of Input-Output Analysis Ibrahim Kholilul Rohman and Erik Bohlin 12. Using Data for Policy Development: Designing a Universal Service Fund for Tanzania Heather Hudson Notes Bibliography List of Contributors Index
