The failure to consider the complexity of the regional telecommunication systems in planning has increased the telecom gap between other regions and the rural sectors in the developing countries. Earmarked funds generated by Universal Service Obligations and various types of other direct and cross-subsidies have not helped this situation. This research uses system dynamics modeling approach to understand the complexity of the system and to evaluate how different policies affect telephone densities. It is demonstrated that some of the prevalent policies may be counterproductive. Policy experiments with the model demonstrate that market-clearing pricing implemented with Universal Service Obligations, and a value-added service combination may significantly improve rural telecommunications.

Creator

• Ramos, Boris G.

Contributors

• Saeed, Khalid
• Pavlov, Oleg V.
• Clements, Kevin A.
• Gerstenfeld, Arthur

Degree

• PhD

Unit

• Social Science & Policy Studies

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Language

• English

Identifier

• etd-053106-133409

Keyword

• cross subsidies
• universal service
• system dynamics
• value added services
• telecom planning

Advisor

• Saeed, Khalid

Committee

• Gerstenfeld, Arthur
• Pavlov, Oleg
• Clements, Kevin A.

Defense date

• 2006-05-05

Year

• 2006

Date created

• 2006-05-31

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright