Impact assessment of broadband transport and internet access projects in Peru

Bonifaz J.L.; Aguirre J. · Telecommunications Policy (2026) · DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2025.103149

Resumen

This study examines the effects of regional broadband initiatives awarded to private operators in Peru between 2019 and 2022. Relying primarily on household survey data, the analysis estimates the effects of these projects on welfare outcomes in the targeted districts. The evaluated intervention involves the phased rollout of broadband infrastructure in beneficiary localities, which created temporal and geographic variation in implementation suitable for quasi-experimental analysis. To estimate causal impacts, a two-stage least squares (2SLS) model is used to address endogeneity, a common concern when infrastructure investment and socioeconomic conditions may be interconnected. The results reveal robust impacts on educational outcomes and working hours in beneficiary localities, underscoring the importance of expanding digital infrastructure to promote inclusion and rural development. In contrast, the estimated effects on income and healthcare access are not robust across some specifications and should therefore be interpreted with caution.

Instituciones: Universidad del Pacífico