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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Journal of Economics...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Journal of Economics & Management Strategy
Article . 2021 . Peer-reviewed
License: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
Data sources: Crossref
SSRN Electronic Journal
Article . 2019 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
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Mobile Internet Usage and Usage Based Pricing

Authors: Jeffrey Prince; Shane Greenstein;

Mobile Internet Usage and Usage Based Pricing

Abstract

AbstractUsing data on mobile Internet usage of thousands of individuals, we provide some of the first analyses linking mobile usage to key demographics such as income. We find a reverse‐U relationship between mobile Internet usage and income—notably different than the monotonically declining relationship found on home devices. This pattern suggests that data caps are particularly binding on low‐income users. We then construct a simple model of mobile Internet usage that incorporates demand features suggested by our empirical finding and prior empirical findings on device adoption and usage. After abstracting away from cost and two‐sided market considerations, we solve the model, and through comparative statics, identify demand conditions for which usage‐based pricing (via a data cap) is, or is not, revenue enhancing. Key insights from this analysis are: (1) the tendency toward demand‐driven price discrimination is hill‐shaped (increasing then decreasing) in the number of low‐income users and eventually declining in high‐income users, and (2) a relatively high (low) proportion of total value attained from relatively low usage levels by low‐income (high‐income) users increases the tendency toward demand‐driven price discrimination. Hence, to the extent that a market has a large number of low‐income users and/or high‐income users attain a higher proportion of their total value at the cap than low‐income users, the use of caps by providers is more likely driven by cost (or other non‐demand‐side) considerations than by revenue enhancement. Lastly, additional analysis shows a largely monotonically increasing relationship between income and usage intensity (measured as page views in a session), suggesting that, ceteris paribus, price discrimination strategies may be more effective if tied to usage intensity rather than duration.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
2
Average
Average
Average
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