Measuring the impact of broadband internet connections on economic growth (in a time of crisis): a OECD panel analysis

Technological innovation is viewed as a major stimulus for economic growth. High-speed internet access via broadband infrastructure has been experiencing a prompt development since the end of 90s, thanks to the deployment of both fix and mobile technologies. The present study investigates on the behavior of broadband diffusion as a technological component which may lead the economic growth in the main OECD countries. The estimations performed allowed to control and interpret the time evolution of the phenomenon under consideration according to the achievable target of growth as resulting from a policy action based on broadband internet connections. Then, our main goal is to provide evidence of a relevant –in quantitative term- relation between broadband diffusion and economic dynamics.