Connecting the World: Exploring the Economic Impact of Mobile Broadband Networks

Abstract: In this thesis, we set out to investigate mobile broadband and the economic impact that these technologies have had. This is a crucial topic in light of the rapid expansion of mobile telephony and mobile broadband. The basic findings are in line with those from previous ICT-based studies. Applying two-way fixed effects and GMM estimation, mobile broad- band is observed to have a positive association with economic development. This association was explored and repeatedly confirmed using a variety of econometric methods that attempted to tackle reverse causality issues, eventually suggesting a causal effect of mobile broadband. A second goal of this thesis was to investigate if the impact of mobile broadband differed based on a country's development status. However, at the current moment little can be said conclusively. Overall, while it seems that mobile broadband has a positive effect on economic development, more research with better quality data is needed to draw even deeper conclusions.