A Study of the Optimal Ecosystem for the Broadband Internet

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This study analyzes an emerging ecosystem that supports broadband Internet, which has now become indispensable infrastructure for our daily activities. In particular, this study focuses on the so-called "network neutrality problem," a supply constraint in the broadband network capacity that faces exponential growth of broadband usage.By conducting a series of surveys based on web-based questionnaires, this study reveals that there is an urgent need for Japanese authorities to deal with the network neutrality problem. In addition, it highlights problems in Japan's current regulatory framework that implicitly relies on sufficient competitiveness in the Internet service provider (ISP) market. This study also suggests a transparency regulation for ISPs and the introduction of an "ISP sommelier" (a role that involves evaluating or translating ISPs' disclosed information for easy comprehension by ordinary consumers) in order to increase competitiveness in the retail ISP market.