Discussion paper

DP5031 Information Exchange and Competition in Communications Networks

We develop a model of information exchange between calling parties. We characterize the equilibrium when two interconnected networks compete for such users by charging both for outgoing and incoming calls. We show that networks have reduced incentives to use off-net price discrimination to induce a connectivity breakdown when calls originated and received are complements in the information exchange. This breakdown disappears if operators are allowed to negotiate reciprocal access charges. We also show that a ?bill-and-keep? system over access charges can approximate an efficient regime and we discuss when this system emerges from private negotiations.

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Citation

Valletti, T and C Cambini (2005), ‘DP5031 Information Exchange and Competition in Communications Networks‘, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 5031. CEPR Press, Paris & London. https://cepr.org/publications/dp5031