Themes

CEEM undertakes academic and contract research in telecommunications economics.

Specific issues include e-commerce and internet demand analysis, the impact of telecommunications on economic development as well as universal access and equity in telecommunications. Research is provided in an accessible form to academics, community groups, industry and policy makers.

CEEM's expertise lies in quantitative analysis such as choice modeling, customer retention modeling, demand forecasting, estimation of price elasticities, optimal pricing of new services and stated preference survey design.

Research themes

Access to information networks: Equity of access is a fundamental policy issue concerning the development of telecommunications networks. Universal service obligations are being redefined to incorporate a broader range of information services such as those delivered by broadband networks. This area of study is important for remotely located Western Australians.

Communications forecasting: Recent global adoption of internet packet switched traffic services has added substantially to existing PSTN traffic forecast difficulty by introducing new dynamics in traffic flows both within Australia and internationally. This will worsen with the growth of e-markets. An important challenge is to provide reliable forecasts of traffic to allow policy makers and carrier management to better plan future network capacity.

E-commerce and internet market analysis: Phenomenal system growth hides a need to obtain reliable information on subscription, demand drivers and user characteristics. In particular, it is not clear what the level of latent demand is or where on the diffusion curve Internet service lies. Necessary product development is particularly difficult when growth is uncertain.

Information networks and economic development: Several nations are experiencing large and growing e-commerce markets, while others are not - the "digital divide". While much attention has focused on globalisation and the development of knowledge based economies through intelligent technology investment, examination of the mechanisms to clarify the causal dynamics underlying this growth and its potential for continuation have not received careful attention.

Obsolescence and market dynamics: Telecommunications systems are being improved and extended through investment in intelligent technology such as digital switching, fibre optics, satellite and cellular transmission, and the internet. This technology is being progressively integrated with technology from the broadcasting, computer and electronics industries. This theme examines the obsolescence of capital under radical technological change and the convergence of capability.