We analyze the intensity and patterns of use of fixed and mobile broadband consumers in Portugal. If usage across types of consumers is similar after controlling for individual characteristics identified to be important drivers of adoption, then it is more likely that consumers view mobile and fixed broadband as somewhat substitutable. Such a result is important for studies of broadband impacts; specifically, for discerning whether mobile broadband service will have a similar level of impact upon social and economic development as fixed broadband services have had. Results indicate that broadband uses are similar across fixed and mobile users, suggesting that the technologies are somewhat substitutable from customers’ perspectives and raising the possibility of limited differential effects on innovation and other social goals. Results of interest include the characteristics of Internet users by technology, and differences of usage patterns reflected by individual characteristics.
On the performance of new generation satellite broadband internet services
