Effects of the development of competition framework and legal environment for media contents on the generational transition of mobile networks

Abstract

Recognizing the value and potential of the next generation mobile networks, major advanced countries, including South Korea, are developing various policies, and competitively considering the transition to secure next-generation mobile networks. This study aims to examine the factors influencing the generational transition of mobile communication networks. In particular, this study focuses on how previously unknown institutional factors, including the competition framework in the ICT market and the legal environment for media contents, affect mobile networks' transition to 3G and 4G. Through a comparative cross-country analysis using more than 143 countries over 18 years of data, this study showed that a well-established competition framework in the information and communications technology (ICT) market positively affects the generational transition from 2G to 3G and from 3G to 4G mobile networks. Further, the legal environment for media contents also positively affects the generational transition from 3G to 4G mobile networks. The results provide crucial insights for policymakers and industry players to develop and implement policies and strategies for the generational transition of mobile communication networks not only from 3G to 4G and but also from 4G to 5G.