Estimating network externalities and switching costs using individual users' data

使用个人用户调查来估计网络外部性和交换成本。对于个人电脑的操作系统来说，存在着即使是10年的技术优势也无法克服的强大的网络外部性。因此，新公司很难带着新技术进入操作系统市场。这一结果表明，操作系统市场处于垄断状态，竞争压力较小。另一方面，对于IP电话市场，网络外部性并不那么强。估计网络外部性和转换成本分别相当于600日元和300日元，这是高效的新进入企业利用新技术很容易克服的。路由器市场的网络外部性有时并不显著。虽然交换成本大于网络外部性，但技术创新很容易克服这一问题。

Network externalities and switching cost are estimated using individual users survey. Regarding the operating system of personal computers, there is a strong network externalities which even 10 years technological advantage can't overcome. Thus, it is very difficult for new firms enter the operating system market with a new technology. This result suggests that the operating system market is monopolized and competition pressure is weak.As for IP phone market, on the other hand, network externalities are not so strong. Estimated network externalities and switching cost are equivalent to 600yen and 300yen respectively which can be easily overcome by efficient new entry firm with new technologies.Router market's network externalities are not significant sometimes. Although switching costs are larger than network externalities, it is easily overcome by technological innovations.