THE RURAL ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT IMPLICATIONS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS - EVIDENCE FROM PENNSYLVANIA

This study quantitatively examines the impact of telecommunications in frastructure investment on rural society in Pennsylvania. Analysis sho ws that access to advanced telecommunications services in Pennsylvania varies by geographic region. Telecommunications service prices mirror this disparity; semi-urban and urban residential and business custome rs with greater access to advanced services experience significantly h igher local prices than other Pennsylvania customers. This paper quant ifies the impact of telecommunications network infrastructure investme nt, service availability and pricing, In addition, the paper analyzes the interdependent relationship between economic activity and telecomm unications infrastructure investment at the state and county levels.