The Rise of the New Network Industries: Regulating Digital Platforms

Author: Juan Montero; Matthias Finger
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9780367693053
Published In: May 2021
Format: Paperback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Description
Contents

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Cutting through the confusion around the nature and implications of digitalization, this book explores the rise of the new digital networks, how they affect traditional infrastructure, and how they will eventually need to be regulated. The authors examine how digitalization affects infrastructures in telecommunications, transport, and energy, and how digital platforms establish themselves as a new network on top of and in addition to traditional ones.

Complex concepts are introduced through short and colorful stories about the founders of the most popular platforms (Google, Facebook, Skype, Uber, etc.) and how they grew to positions of power, drawing parallels with century-old traditional network industries’ monopoly power (AT&T, General Electric, etc.). The authors argue that these digital platforms strongly interfere with traditional infrastructures that are heavily regulated and provide essential services for society – meaning that digital platforms should be considered as a new and much more powerful type of infrastructure and will require regulation accordingly.

A global audience of policy makers, public authorities, consultants, lawyers, students, and academics, as well as anyone with an interest in these digital platforms, will find this book enlightening and essential reading.

Introduction

Part I: The Digitalization Dilemma in the Network Industries

1. Digitalizing the Network Industries

2. Platforms in Multi-Sided Markets

3. Digital Platforms

4. Disruption by Digital Platforms: Substitution and Platformization

5. Network Industries Disrupted by Platforms

Part II: Platforms in the Communications Industries

6. Network Effects in Communications

7. Email: Postal Networks are Substituted

8. Skype and WhatsApp: Telecom Carriers are Platformed

9. YouTube: Traditional Media Substituted and Platformed