Net Neutrality and Competition Scott Wallsten Senior Fellow Director, Communications Policy Studies Progress & Freedom Foundation
The Internet Multi-sided market merchantsconsumers
Multi-sided market + network effects ConsumersContent The Internet
Mandatory net neutrality = price regulation
Market failure? Optimal pricing unknown. Innovation in content and infrastructure.
Anticompetitive discrimination? Not in providers’ interests. Not with adequate competition. Antitrust, not regulatory, issue.
Effects on consumers? If infrastructure charges content providers… consumer prices DECREASE! In a two-sided market, if prices increase for one side they decrease for the other.
COMPETITION
Optimal pricing unknown Content AND infrastructure important Net neutrality = price regulation Focus on competition Conclusions