Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 13
Consumer Usage of Broadband
Internet Services:
An Analysis of the Case of Portugal
Janice A. Hauge
University of North Texas, USA
Mark A. Jamison
University of Florida, USA
Mircea I. Marcu
University of Florida, USA
ABSTRACT
We analyze the intensity and patterns of use of fixed and mobile broadband consumers in Portugal. If
usage across types of consumers is similar after controlling for individual characteristics identified to
be important drivers of adoption, then it is more likely that consumers view mobile and fixed broadband
as somewhat substitutable. Such a result is important for studies of broadband impacts; specifically,
for discerning whether mobile broadband service will have a similar level of impact upon social and
economic development as fixed broadband services have had. Results indicate that broadband uses are
similar across fixed and mobile users, suggesting that the technologies are somewhat substitutable from
customers' perspectives and raising the possibility of limited differential effects on innovation and other
social goals. Results of interest include the characteristics of Internet users by technology, and differ-
ences of usage patterns reflected by individual characteristics.
INTRODUCTION
after controlling for individual characteristics
identified to be important drivers of adoption,
then it is more likely that consumers view mobile
and fixed broadband Internet access as somewhat
substitutable. This is important for discerning
whether mobile broadband service will have a
similar level of impact upon social and economic
development as fixed broadband services have had.
The issues of substitutability across broadband
technologies and the context in which broadband
penetration occurs are important for a variety of
reasons. First, if the frequency and intensity of
Internet use across types of consumers is similar
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