Browsing by Author "Winkler, Kay"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Open Access
Considering the Counterfactual in Predation Cases
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2013) Winkler, Kay
In order to distinguish predatory pricing from competition on the merits, the courts in the United States and in the European Union have established cost-based tests. In contrast, Australia and New Zealand make use of a counterfactual analysis - which has proved controversial when applied in telecommunications cases in New Zealand. The new European effects-based approach advocated by the European Commission entails a counterfactual analysis which is related to the profitability of the conduct. In this presentation it is suggested that such a counterfactual test could be useful in predation cases if it establishes a causal link between the profitability of the conduct and foreclosure effect.
Open Access
Determining Optimal Macroprudential Instruments
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2015) Winkler, Kay
Central banks and governments around the world are currently facing challenging economic and monetary issues from the aftermath of the 2007 credit crisis. Eight years after the start of the recession, the global economy still struggles to cope with the results of the overblown credit market.
Open Access
Potential Effects of New Zealand's Policy on Next Generation High-Speed Access Networks
(Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, 2014) Winkler, Kay
New Zealands strategy to deploy ultra-fast next generation access networks (NGA) on the basis of fibre to the home (FTTH) to the majority of the population by 2019 involves specific public private partnerships for dedicated roll-out areas that are supported with substantial financial aid by the Crown. This article explores in which way this strategy can be effective and whether it is able to accelerate consumer demand for NGA. Several empirical studies relating to the deployment and uptake of broadband technology consistently reveal factors which are decisive for the diffusion of broadband technologies in developed countries. From the supply-side perspective, the regulatory environment, associated incentives to deploy new infrastructure, and government stimuli can be seen as important determinants. However, the diffusion of a new technology in a given market requires consumer acceptance. The consumer uptake of ultra-fast broadband (UFB) access will depend on the increase in speed in relation to the existing access technology, and the existence of applications requiring this increase. Taking these factors into account, some potential problems with New Zealands roll-out plan can be identified. It seems conceivable that the driving factor for fast broadband uptake in New Zealand is, under the current set of applications, the migration from low bandwidth broadband to higher bandwidths required for video streaming, but not necessarily to ultra-fast broadband. In that sense, a diminishing marginal return of speed may be assumed. Further, the regulatory environment might cause adverse effects for competing broadband networks that are not subsidized, such as the recently rolled out VDSL network and 4G mobile networks. Moreover, the incentives of retail service providers to offer fibre based internet products are not clear cut. Because of vertical separation they are not invested in network deployment. An empirical analysis of recent UFB uptake data could show whether these assumptions are valid.