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<title>Abstract: Demand uncertainty under three-part tariffs</title>
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<p class=3DMsoNormal><i><span style=3D'font-family:Garamond'>Abstract: </sp=
an></i><span
style=3D'font-family:Garamond'>In communication, information, and other
industries, three-part tariffs are increasingly popular. A three-part tarif=
f <span
class=3DGramE>is defined</span> by an access price, an allowance, and a mar=
ginal
price for any usage in excess of the allowance. Empirical nonlinear pricing
studies have focused on consumer choice under two-part tariffs. We show that
consumer behavior differs under three-part tariffs and assess how <span
class=3DGramE>consumer demand uncertainty impacts</span> tariff choice. We
develop a discrete/continuous model of choice among three-part tariffs and
estimate it using consumer-level data on Internet usage. Our model extends
prior work in accommodating consumer switching to competitors, thereby
capturing behavior in competitive industries more accurately. Our empirical
work shows that demand uncertainty is a key driver of choice among three-pa=
rt
tariffs. Consumers&#8217; expected bill increases with the variation in the=
ir
usage, steering them toward tariffs with high allowances. Consequently, dem=
and
uncertainty decreases consumer surplus and increases provider revenue. A
further analysis of consumers&#8217; responsiveness to the different elemen=
ts
of a three-part tariff under the provider&#8217;s current pricing structure
reveals that prices affect a consumer&#8217;s tariff choice more than her u=
sage
quantity and that the allowance plays a strong role in consumer tariff choi=
ce.
Based on our results, we derive implications for pricing with three-part
tariffs.</span></p>

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