Current Research
Economics of communications and information industries and systems.

Current areas of focus
broadband, mobile,  telecommunications liberalization, convergence,  economics of intellectual property rights.

Other Activities
Affiliated faculty, Program in Health Services and Policy Analysis.

Education
B.S., Economics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
M.A., Economics, Stanford University
Ph.D., Economics, Stanford University

Dr. Yale M. Braunstein
103B South Hall
Berkeley, California
94720-4600
U.S.A.
+1.510.642.2235

yale@ischool

Last update:
5 July 2011

Home > People > Faculty > Yale Braunstein > Research

Mobile Telecommunications

[May-July 2011]
Questions and answers on spectrum & policy issues (HTML version).
Questions and answers on spectrum & policy issues (PDF version).
This analysis covers many of the key issues in the policy debate on efficient use of the mobile telecommunications spectrum in the U.S.  It was prompted by ongoing debates at the Federal Communications Commission, the National Broadband Plan and issues related to the proposed merger of AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US. 

[Fall 2003] Braunstein & Kalba paper on "3G Optimism".
This is a PDF file of the paper presented at 2003 MoMuC conference (Munich, Germany). (Approx. 90 KB)

Essays & Presentations on the Financial Crisis and Bailout

The Spring 2009 class, INFO 231: Economics of Information, has put together: Give Us the Information Already: A working primer on the role of information and information failures in the ongoing financial crisis and the proposed bailout plans. Follow this link for additional information.

RISC: Re-thinking Industry Structure under Convergence

This is an on-going collection of projects related to market structure in what traditionally were separate industries—voice telephony, data communications, video delivery, and internet access. Specific assignments have included:

• Unbundled Network Elements
• Reports on Public Access to Broadband Networks
• Statement to California Public Utilities Commission En Banc Hearing Regarding Assessing and Revising the Regulation of Telecommunications Utilities
• Competition in Wired Video Delivery

Economic Issues of Local Regulatory Forbearance

With the emergence of true facilities-based competition for wired voice and video services in many markets, directly competing services are being offered by major carriers. However, these are still likely to be priced at other than competitive levels. The transition from monopoly to (less-than perfect) competition has also brought about distributional issues such as cream skimming. This paper provides a context for the analysis of this problem and explores possible solutions.

• Full paper (as presented at PTC 2007; PDF file, 12 pages, 60 KB)
• PPT presentation (as given at CDTM, October 2006; 1.5MB)
  

Regulatory Response to Telecom-Video-Data Convergence

I have pulled several of the key points and findings from the research described above into a single presentation at the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS). (April 2008)

Abstract:

With the emergence of true-facilities-based competition for wired voice, broadband, and video services in many markets, directly competing services are being offered by major carriers. However, these are still likely to be priced at other than competitive levels. The transition from monopoly to (less-than perfect) competition has also brought about distributional issues such as cream skimming. This talk provides a context for the analysis of this problem and explores possible solutions.

• Link to the presentation (video and slides) at the CITRIS website.
• Direct link to the video of the presentation at You Tube.

One major focus of my work has been on the economic issues related to ownership of intellectual property. A publications list with some links is on a separate page.

Content Reutilization

Benlian, Grau, Hess & Braunstein paper on "Dissemination of Content Reutilization Practices..." Abstract at Journal of Media Business Studies (JOMBS, 2006). PDF file with scan of the paper (Approx. 1 MB).

Minority Broadcasting

"The FCC's Financial Qualification Requirements: Economic Evaluation of a Barrier to Entry for Minority Broadcasters," FCLJ, Vol. 53, Number 1.
Full text available at the Federal Communications Law Journal web site. See my "special download" page for financial model spreadsheet (in PDF format) that accompanies the article.