Plum developed an explanatory note on the cost of capital and its application to broadcast network access. The note also addresses the argument that the WACC should be reviewed due to changed circumstances (in particular, the financial crisis’s impact on interest rates).
Phillipa Marks spoke on spectrum reform at the annual conference on Competition Law & Regulation in the Telecoms, Internet & Broadcasting Sectors in Brussels.
This project, for the ACMA, provided advice on administrative pricing for spectrum based on opportunity cost. Specifically, Plum advised on the appropriate level of opportunity cost pricing in the 400 MHz band across geographic areas with varying degrees of congestion, and on approaches to implementing spectrum pricing. The 400 MHz band (380-430MHz and 450-520 MHz)[…]
Plum led a study for the OFT on the dynamics of online markets, which often act as gateways for SMEs wishing to trade online. Plum considered the routes to market for SMEs looking to engage in online trading, and commented on the effects of the economics of these online markets.
This study advised on the conditions required to foster successful private band management in the Australian spectrum market. To this end Plum researched band management arrangements in the Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US and considered the feasibility of these arrangements in Australia, given the current legal and regulatory arrangements for spectrum management.[…]
This study attempts to identify frequency bands in which there might be an opportunity to change the current use to a higher value alternative use, in order to increase economic welfare over the next 10-15 years. The scope for making such changes could be limited by legal impediments or interference considerations and could involve moving[…]
Phillipa Marks spoke on spectrum regulation at an event hosted by the University of Liège and the Institute for European Legal Studies in Brussels on “What comes Next in Electronic Communications? A Review of the New EU Framework.”
Plum provided the lead economics input and Aegis provided the lead technical input to a report assessing issues concerning the management and use of spectrum by the public sector in Europe and developing policy options for addressing these issues. The study involved two public workshops and extensive consultation with public sector spectrum users.
Phillipa Marks spoke at an invitation only Industry Canada spectrum roundtable in Ottawa.
Plum conducted a study to determine the barriers to internet adoption and the effectiveness of policy levers for overcoming these barriers. The report was published in Vodafone’s Public Policy Paper Series Issue No. 10 “Developing Government objectives for broadband”.