Importance Of Public-private Partnerships Research Articles

State regulation of insurance in agriculture: global experience, analysis of the current situation, prospects

The work focuses on the role of insurance to support sustainable agricultural production in economically developed countries, the importance of public-private partnerships in accordance with the potential of agro-industrial complex. Purpose – mechanism of state regulation of insurance of agricultural risks is considered using the example of the world experience, taking into account the situation in Kazakhstan. Methods – comparison and scientific generalization, review of literature sources on the topic. The study is divided into two stages: analysis of statistical sources on agricultural insurance at the international level from 2020 to 2023; study of domestic practice. Results – advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to insurance of agricultural activities with state participation have been identified. Recommendations for improving the insurance system of agricultural crops and animals in the republic are substantiated, including precise definition of responsibilities and conditions of participation for insurance firms, increasing the level of subsidizing premiums, ensuring the availability of information for farmers and creating a legislative framework. The work also notes the need to adapt international experience to Kazakhstan’s national characteristics. Conclusions - state support for compensation of damage caused by natural disasters, the implementation of the proposed measures will significantly increase the efficiency of agricultural insurance in the country, ensure protection of the interests of farms, stable development of agricultural sector and minimize risks for agricultural producers. The legal mechanism of insurance in agro-industrial complex requires improvement. As a basis for regulation, it is necessary to establish constructive dialogue between stakeholders. To assess the condition of agricultural crops, the use of space monitoring data is of great importance. Agricultural insurance is a potential growth segment and factor in food security in Kazakhstan.

Closing the Digital Divide Through Digital Equity: The Role of Libraries and Librarians

ABSTRACT All libraries, especially public libraries, must continue to play a leading role in closing the digital divide. Through this article, the authors present a brief history of libraries and the digital divide, how libraries address the digital divide through digital equity, ways the U.S. government has addressed the digital divide, insights shared from serving on the New Jersey Broadband Access Commission, strategies that public libraries can implement to bring about digital inclusion, the need for libraries to address the technology needs of youth, the importance of public-private partnerships and examples of initiatives and the resources created that address digital equity.

Importance of PPP in water supply sector in developing countries: The case of Georgia

This article presents an empirical study on the effectiveness of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the water supply industry in Georgia. The study identifies vital and causal problems within the industry, including outdated infrastructure, lack of technical and financial resources in rural areas, absence of consolidated state policy, and insufficient state subsidies. Through a comprehensive assessment that considers economic, social, and environmental sustainability, as well as stakeholder perspectives, the study evaluates the relative importance of different PPP models. Findings indicate that the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model is highly prioritized due to its reliance on private capital and the preservation of state control. The results contribute to evidence-based decision-making, enabling policymakers to design effective PPP frameworks that address the specific needs and characteristics of the water supply industry in Georgia.

Public Private Partnerships as an Innovative Approach for Agricultural Sustainability in Sri Lankan

Many countries identified the importance of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in agriculture in terms of a shared mechanism among partners for input, resources, markets, technology, profitability, and associated risk. In addition, many studies revealed that the partnership approach empowered rural farmers, youth, and women regarding accessibility to the newly invented agriculture production and marketing technology. Nevertheless, in Sri Lanka, PPP primarily focused on construction and manufacturing. This Paper attempts to identify whether the right partners are the crucial factor in planning a PPP model for better agriculture prospects in Sri Lanka. Establishing the right PPP in research and development and agricultural marketing will enhance the growth of the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka, thereby sustainability in agriculture and the livelihood of millions of poor farm families, youngsters, and consumers.

TUZILILGAN TA'LIM, DAVLAT-XUSUSIY HAMKORLIK, RIVOJLANISH YO'NALIGI VA BARQARAR ASSPEKTILAR

The level of literacy of population of the republic is one of the key factors for achieving high rates of economic growth and building a strong economy. This, in turn, necessitates the availability of modern infrastructure of the education system in the country, as well as the need to ensure effectiveness of the existing infrastructure and the use of new, innovative management methods. The article highlights the role of the education system in the socio-economic life of the republic and the importance of public-private partnership in its effective organization. It also describes organization of publicprivate partnerships in the education system of most countries and the direction of these relations in the education system. The mentioned areas will focus on the benefits of partnership and the issues that the government needs to clarify in order to achieve it.

Public regional health policy

The purpose of the article is to determine the main strategic directions of public policy development of the regional health care system. The definition of «health policy» is proposed. The main types of policy in the field of health care are identified: by objects of regulation – socio-economic, medical, technological; by levels – municipal, regional, state, international, world. It is proposed to define the concept of «public regional health policy», its objects and subjects. The functions of public policy in the development of health care in the region are considered. Methods of realization of the purposes of public regional policy in the field of public health services are defined: organizational-legal, economic and social. The need for careful study and analysis of regional, domestic and international experience in health care development is noted. The importance of public-private partnership in the health care system by optimizing costs and creating conditions for technological breakthrough and stable growth in the industry is noted. The actions of the regions to implement the main directions of the health care modernization program are analyzed. The main shortcomings and positive changes inherent in the current management practice of developing and implementing public policy in the field of health care at the regional level are identified. The process of development and implementation of public regional policy, which is carried out in 4 stages: policy initiation; policy implementation and monitoring involves the choice of methods and management technologies for the implementation of strategies; policy implementation; policy evaluation – assessment of the obtained effects, detection of deviations from the standard and regulation (adjustment) of the policy. In order to achieve these goals, the main strategic directions of public policy for the development of the regional health care system have been developed: 1) optimization of financial activities of the regional health care system; 2) optimization of the use of labor resources. It is noted that the proposed measures are long-term strategic in nature.

Public-Private Partnerships for agricultural innovation: opportunities and challenges in world practice

The importance of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in agriculture is understood in terms of a shared mechanism among partners for input, resource, market, risk, technology and benefits. In addition, review of various studies indicated the visibility of PPP in various facets of knowledge management, capacity building of youth, development of high end technologies, processing and market promotion in agriculture. The partnership approach apart from developing certain technologies also empowered farmers in terms of enhanced access to technology and market in Russia through organized farmers groups. The limitations of PPP such as focus mainly on high end technologies, high profit margin areas and crops, perceived mistrust and lack of transparency and non-adherence to agreement among partners could be overcome through appropriate working mechanism and policy support. Establishing PPP cell at research and development organizations would spearhead the growth of PPP and thereby sustainable agriculture and livelihood of millions of farm in Russia. The article will be interesting and useful for students of law and economic faculties, it helps them to understand the latest techniques relevant to a particular sector in PPP and or to understand how responses developed in jurisdictions where PPP is firmly established might be applied to new markets.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT TOOLS FOR THE MAINTAINANCE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Introduction. The modern world community is experiencing a period of globalization with its undoubted positives and some negatives. Among the positives is the course of humanization, efforts to comprehensively ensure fundamental human rights, as illustrated by the development at the UN level of "Sustainable Development Goals" (hereinafter CSW). This human-oriented document was supported by most countries of the world, including Ukraine. The tasks of the CSB are quite serious, the mechanism of their implementation is determined by domestic specifics. In Ukrainian society, there are several areas of implementation of the CSW: through the involvement of resources of the state apparatus, through the activities of various political forces, through public activity, and so on. The political, legal and ideological tools of providing the CSB are undoubtedly positive. However, in our opinion, economic factors are crucial for their implementation. Among them, one of the most important and realistic is the public-private partnership, which unites the state, the private sector and civil society to solve the most important strategic humanistic tasks. The development of its new forms and the creation of a system of political, legal and social means of support is becoming especially relevant in modern domestic realities. Goal. The purpose of scientific work is to consider the importance of public-private partnership, analysis of its essence, the prerequisites for development; economic and legal characteristics of PPP, its features and humanistic components; elaboration of a generalizing concept; substantiation of the value of PPP in the mechanism of CSW implementation; characteristics of economic positives of PPP for society and business; finding out the main directions of PPP development and means of their provision. Method (methodology). The methodological basis of this scientific research is a system of general scientific and special scientific methods. In particular, the system method allows you to see the main characteristics of PPP in their relationship; the method of comparison illustrates the unity of the strategic purpose of PPP and CSW and their relationship; the dialectical method is necessary for definition of still possible directions and forms of development of PPP; the method of economic analysis reveals the weak and problematic "places" of PPP in modern domestic economic and socio-political realities. Results. According to the results of the study, the importance of the development of public-private partnership for the establishment of CSW in Ukraine is argued. The definition of the concept of "public-private partnership" in the plane of the ideology of the modern social economy is given. Its basic principles are described. Emphasis is placed on the positive significance of public-private partnership, both for society and for business. The main directions and forms of public-private partnership development in the current domestic economic realities are determined. Additional economic and political-legal means of its provision and support are offered.

No Stump City: The Contestation and Politics of Urban Street-Trees – A Case Study of Sheffield

Issues of sustainable development, liveable cities, green infrastructure, and urban ecosystem services currently receive attention from researchers and decision-makers. Furthermore, the benefits to public wellbeing and health of high quality open spaces and green areas are now undisputed (e.g. Simson, 2008; Booth, 2005, 2006). However, with increasing pressure on urban landscapes for competing uses like housing-development green-spaces are under threat. Furthermore, austerity-driven cuts to local authority budgets mean loss of core services and skills relating to open-space management and planning. Some local authorities such as Newcastle City Council are withdrawing all expenditure on parks and community spaces. With major challenges in providing good quality urban green-spaces, the loss of most local authority countryside management services from 2008 onwards, reflects bigger problems (see Rotherham, 2014, 2015 for example). Within this wider scenario has been the growing importance of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to deliver core environmental and green-space services in many urban areas. These have been seen as possible fixes for the current waves of austerity cuts and many local authorities such as Sheffield City Council have gone down this route. Nevertheless, real costs (financial and otherwise) of Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) are now emerging (Syal, 2018). There are also issues of public access to information once contracts become ‘commercially sensitive’ and of profit-driven delivery of core ‘public benefit’ services. These changes threaten ‘local environmental democracy’ as part of a wider shift in democratic processes (Flinders, 2012, 2017). This paper examines wider issues of austerity-driven cuts to green-space services, of PFI projects, and of local environmental democracy. It takes the Sheffield street-trees initiative as an exemplar case-study to interrogate the broad concerns.

CATEGORIZATION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONCEPTUAL SPACE OF THE SOCIAL STATE

The article studies the problematic issues of scientific understanding and the correlation of the notions of public-private/public-private partnership in a categorical series of concepts that reveal the essence and mechanisms of the functioning of a social state in the theory of public administration. Is done semantic analysis a family of related scientific categories ‘social partnership’, ‘public-private partnership’, ‘intersectoral partnership’, ‘state-private partnership’ and ‘municipal-private partnership’, which mean the same process and are different only the definition of the range of subjects of social action in the application of public dialogue and the implementation of social policies aimed at building a social state in Ukraine. It is argued that in the course of state-private partnership, the satisfaction of the society with the activities of state and local authorities, which, in turn, forms the trust of the people in power, stimulates them to fulfil their duties better. And this is a prerequisite for ensuring well-being in the country as a whole. Thus, the mechanism of public-private partnership is one of the key elements of a public (social) dialogue in the discursive space of state social policy that brings Ukraine closer to Europe, promotes the formation of a socially oriented economy and socially responsible governance as crucial elements for the development of a social state. Meanwhile, there is still no steady practices of partnership between public administration and civil society institutions in areas such as the formation of public policy, its monitoring, public control over the activities of central executive authorities, local governments, and budget financing agencies, etc. at present. The article reveals the importance of public-private partnership as a key mechanism of the state’s social policy aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for Ukraine.

Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Latin America's Infrastructure Market and Policy Suggestions for Korea

In Latin America, the investment in infrastructure has been led by governments. However, the importance of PPP is growing, as fiscal revenues are decreasing in many countries due to the fall of commodity prices. Private investment in infrastructure in Latin America is outpacing other emerging economies. Latin America accounts for about 43% of the total private investment in infrastructure among developing economies. PPP is especially active in Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Peru. Among foreign firms, Spanish companies have the strongest presence in the PPP market of Latin America. Yet the competitive landscape is changing; while Spanish and European firms are losing their market share, Chinese and American enterprises are broadening their presence. Traditionally, investment in infrastructure has been concentrated in the ICT and electricity sectors but investment is being diversified into other sectors such as airports, railway, road, water and sanitation. Latin America has a less favorable PPP environment compared to other regions such as Asia. However, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico and Colombia show promising conditions for PPP and hold a high rank among all developing countries. This is because these five countries have clear laws and institutions regarding PPP, and abundant experience with PPP projects. This study focuses on Chile, Peru, Mexico and Colombia and finds some similarities among these nations: 1) they have exclusive organizations for PPP, 2) projects with private initiatives are encouraged, 3) risks are transferred more to private sectors and subsidies from government are decreasing, 4) and there are growing projects in social infrastructure. We select some subsectors of infrastructure which have high demand for PPP projects. We also study several cases of foreign investment in each subsector: electricity in Mexico, transportation in Peru, health and medical treatment in Chile, and water and sanitation in Colombia. Latin America has several regional MDBs, such as the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and Development Bank of Latin America (CAF). These banks play a crucial role for PPP projects. We offer four suggestions for firms: 1) firms need to understand the change in the infrastructure market toward more projects being planned in a PPP scheme rather than solely financed by the government, 2) the development level of the PPP environment differs by country, and thus firms need to prepare a customized strategy by country, 3) strategic alliance with local or foreign companies is crucial since they understand the local market well, 4) collaboration with regional MDBs, such as the IDB, CAF and CABEI, is recommended. This study also suggests the following policy recommendations for the Korean government: 1) The government can establish a government-business council and support Korean firms to win PPP contracts; 2) Incentives need to be provided to promote joint overseas business between conglomerate and small and medium-sized firms (SMEs); 3) ODA projects can be planned to identify infrastructure development demand in Latin America, and then the projects can be developed into PPP projects later, or feasibility studies for privately initiated PPP projects can be financed by ODA funds; 4) A formal cooperation system can be built between the Korean government and MDBs to facilitate Korean firms' access to MDBs; 5) Exchange of personnel from PPP-related institutions from Korea and Latin America can support Korean firms to acquire information and win projects.

An international comparative analysis of local hazard mitigation plan evaluation for flood

Purpose This research aims to identify the qualitative differences between local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) of the developing country when compared to those of developed countries. It also seeks to demonstrate the relative importance of public private partnership and the need for PPs to be integrated into LHMP because they help to create strong LHMP, thereby making communities will become more resilient to not only floods but also other natural disasters. It focuses on the components of hazard mitigation from a developed country perspective and how these influence the contents/focus of the LHMP especially when compared to those of a developing country. Design/methodology/approach Based on official information such as population, climate and major threat that has faced, research sites were selected. Each LHMP can be downloaded from the official city websites, except Korea. Through plan evacuation protocols the LHMP for each city – USA (Baltimore), Japan (Kumamoto) and Korea (Pohang) – were assessed three times by the research team. Plans were evaluated using a plan coding evacuation process. Findings The LHMP of the developing country did not contain maps illustrating to the people who are exposed to flood and evacuation routes and who are vulnerable (both economically and physically), when compared with the developed countries plan. However, quicker response because of simple political hierarchy can be possible in Japan and Korea when compared to the USA, which has three different tiers of political governments – federal, State and Local government – though Korea is a developing country. Originality/value In recent times, pre-disaster response, which is a proactive approach to natural disasters, is an emerging issue rather than post disaster response because of sustainable and resilient ideas of the locals that have repeatedly suffered from natural hazards. This study compares LHMPs of each country to better understand strengths and weakness, as well as to identify strategies that will enhance the quality of mitigation plan for the developed country and developing country. It is hoped that this study will inform and augment existing literature by assisting underdeveloped and developing countries suffering from floods with the preparation of their LHMPs based on the suggestion of this research.

A Study of the Improvement of Planning Systems for Land Use Control in Agricultural Heritage Sites

Abstract: The number of GIAHS sites is increasing these days and will continue to do so gradually in East Asian countries including Korea, China and Japan. As a result, conservation of heritage sites is more and more important, especially in Korea. Dealing with issues surrounding land use conflicts are important for conservation of heritages in order to harmonize between conservation and development to prevent reckless development. This study aims to identify measures for land use management and control to allow for sustainable development around agricultural heritage system sites. The results point to the importance of public-private partnerships and local ordinance systems or comprehensive planning of land use controls for agricultural heritage system sites.

Role and importance of public private partnerships in agricultural value chain and infrastructure

Changing consumer demand preferences, increasing concern for food safety, traceability and assured year-round availability of quality agri produce at reasonable prices at the top of the supply chain has changed agricultural landscape. Agri infrastructure at different levels of agri value chain is key to a vibrant and competitive agriculture and agro industrial sector. Public Private Partnerships could be a useful tool to accelerate development in various areas of agribusiness and infrastructure. The paper discusses the examples of such PPP initiatives in India at various levels of agri value chain such as crop diversification, farmer group formation, marketing Infrastructure, contract farming and provision of agricultural services etc. With government's commitment to investment in agricultural infrastructure and an emerging market for global trade as well as experimentation with new forms of infrastructure-financing and contracting, there are many opportunities to broaden the role of the private sector in infrastructure for agricultural development through PPP models.

Importance of Public-Private Partnerships: Strengthening Laboratory Medicine Systems and Clinical Practice in Africa.

After the launch of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2003, it became evident that inadequate laboratory systems and services would severely limit the scale-up of human immunodeficiency virus infection prevention, care, and treatment programs. Thus, the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Becton, Dickinson and Company developed a public-private partnership (PPP). Between October 2007 and July 2012, the PPP combined the competencies of the public and private sectors to boost sustainable laboratory systems and develop workforce skills in 4 African countries. Key accomplishments of the initiative include measurable and scalable outcomes to strengthen national capacities to build technical skills, develop sample referral networks, map disease prevalence, support evidence-based health programming, and drive continuous quality improvement in laboratories. This report details lessons learned from our experience and a series of recommendations on how to achieve successful PPPs.

Financial and legal aspects of public-private partnership in financing revitalization activities - general issues

Public participation is gaining importance with regard to the implementation of munici­pal investments of various kinds. The relations between inhabitants and local authorities, are cur­rently coming more towards participation based on consensus rather than confrontation. Changes in this area are a positive result of both the examples of good practices coming from the developed European countries (Norway, France, Germany), as well as the orientation of the EU urban policy in this direction. At the same time, however, the EU urban policy draws attention to the scarcity of public financing as regards municipal investment projects. The EU policy emphasizes the need to involve private funds. Both the EU and Polish strategic documents on urban policy point to the role and importance of public-private partnership in financing municipal investments. The pa­per presents public-private partnership as one of the basic means of realization of the idea of social participation in the financing of revitalization processes as well as the problems related to this fund­ing model within the Polish legislation in relation to the European Union provisions in this regard.

THE INTERACTION OF RUSSIA WITH THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE IN THE AREA OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

The article is devoted to the interaction of Russia with the United Nations European Economic Commission in the area of public-private partnerships. A number of the article provisions: on the importance of public-private partnership (PPP) for the internal economic development of the country, on the necessity of amending the codes and regulations, with the objective of enhancing the use of PPP’s in Russia, on the activities carried out by the specia-lized bodies for the adoption of the PPP law and the training of specialists, cooperation with the United Nations European Economic Commission on the proliferation of the world practice of PPP in the CIS – have the scientific novelty. The paper is exploratory in nature, reflected in the perspective directions of development of Russia’s relations with the UNECE PPP.

Health Financing in South Asia—The Role of Public–Private Partnerships

Millions of households are pushed into poverty every year because of high out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure on health care. Globally, each year more than 150 million people face financial catastrophe and around 100 million suffer destitution due to OOP payments made for health care. More than 90 per cent of these people reside in low-income countries. In South Asia, impoverishment due to health payments is significant with at least 32 million people in India alone being pushed into poverty annually due to OOP expenditures on health care. In most health care systems in this region, the role of public spending on health and prepaid schemes, such as tax and social insurance, is limited as is the extent of financial risk protection. The problem is compounded by the large informal sector which is a major challenge to attaining universal health coverage in South Asian countries. Recent literature points to the role of public–private partnerships (PPP) in health care as a viable solution for ensuring equitable access to health care especially for the poor. This article seeks to review the major components of health care financing and reform including financial risk protection, resource generation and pooling, and PPPs in procurement and payment in South Asia. It identifies key lessons across the health financing systems of Asian countries that have attempted to reduce dependence on OOP expenditures, expanded health service delivery and increased pooled health financing mechanisms. It analyses the role and importance of PPPs in mitigating the impoverishing effects of OOP health expenditure in South Asia.

Роль государства в развитии конкурентной среды при воздействии глобальных изменений на структуру мирового социально-экономического пространства

The article analyzes the problems of improving competitive environment in the conditions of rapid global change and multifactor impact of various kinds of disturbances on the development of the world economy. The authors substantiate the topicality and necessity of further research in the direction of studying the competitive environment development nature in the conditions of political and economic instability. They examine the mechanism of effective national economy formation in the conditions of economic instability. The authors demonstrate the importance of public-private partnership in the innovative development of market structures and its role in improving competitive environment, and analyze in detail the possibility and conditions of forming a partnership between the state, existing monopolies and other market players in order to support innovative processes in response to the changing external influences.

Effects of Public Policy on Fixed and Mobile Broadband Infrastructure Quality

With the rapid diffusion of mobile and fixed access platforms, access to broadband services has become widely available in high and medium-income countries. While overcoming gaps in broadband access remains an important and pressing policy issue, the realization of the benefits of advanced information and communication services is increasingly dependent on the quality of the available connectivity. In spite of this increasing importance of quality attributes, such as download and upload speeds, most theoretical and empirical studies of broadband availability have thus far focused on adoption. Only a handful of recent papers have sought to address the factors influencing broadband infrastructure quality. This paper examines the factors that influence the quality of fixed and mobile broadband access. Drawing on institutional economics, the study provides an integrated conceptual framework that allows analyzing the interaction of supply, demand, policy, and contextual factors. This approach allows differentiated insights into the effects of policy choices and their interactions with other factors. Policy instruments that are examined in detail include forms of unbundling and open access, the creation of competitive conditions, and the importance of public-private partnerships. For wireless broadband, we also control for aspects of spectrum policy and management. As is known from policy research, it is often a specific combination of policy choices that affects outcomes rather than any single measure. Prior empirical research suggests that the implementation of a consistent combination of policy choices matters greatly. To address this unique interaction of policy arrangements with outcomes, we pursue a dual approach using empirical methods that allow complementary insights. The application of panel methods allows the examination of sufficient conditions and of effect sizes of drivers of broadband quality. A second method, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), pioneered by sociologists and political scientists, allows the systematic exploration of interdependencies among these drivers. This quantitative method is better suited than traditional econometric models to explore the interactions between policy choices and the quality of broadband access. QCA allows a systematic examination of the necessary and/or sufficient conditions that influence broadband quality. Because the method is based in principles of set theory, it allows a flexible analysis of not only single policy instruments but also of their interaction with other policy and external conditions. We explore the drivers of both fixed and mobile broadband quality and potential interdependencies between the developments of them. Using Ookla and Akamai data of download speeds that are actually realized over the network infrastructure for a cross-national sample of OECD and medium-income countries, we focus on the role of public policy decisions as a determinant of quality and quality upgrades of access networks. We find that the most important factor with a positive effect on quality and quality improvements is competition. We also find evidence that regulatory interventions such as unbundling or open access provision do have a positive contribution in markets with limited competition. However, the findings also provide evidence that the best policy approach is dependent on the specific context of a country so that no single best practice model emerges from the observations. This paper builds on and significantly expands earlier work, some of which was presented at conferences before (but has not yet been published). A first model of the determinants of fixed broadband quality was presented at the European Regional Conference of the International Telecommunications Society in Florence (October 2013) and a preliminary discussion of QCA with a more limited sample, also focusing on fixed broadband, will be presented at the CPR LATAM conference in Bogota (May 2014). Compared to these earlier versions, the present paper expands the number of countries and adds mobile broadband as well as the interdependencies between fixed and mobile to the analysis.The paper contains methodological, theoretical, and practical contributions. Theoretically, it provides a more comprehensive analysis of the factors that shape broadband speeds. Methodologically, it applies a dual empirical approach to communications policy issues. Because that approach allows exploring the levers available to policy-makers more fully than econometric analyses alone, the paper also contains directly applicable practical lessons for policy-makers.