Telecommunication Usage and Socioeconomic Environment: Theoretical and Empirical Issues form the Italian Case

This paper analyses the development of telecommunication technologies in the main urban areas of Italy, in the period 1972 - 1994. Time series and cross-section data are analyzed to evidence the different local behaviours. Furthermore, integrated centrality indices are computed to focus the different abilities in the adoption of advanced technologies. A cross sub-regional forecasting exercise is performed and the incoming waves of innovations in telematics discussed. A comparison between a couple of numerical simulations which utilize the amount of installed equipment and telecommunication flows at 1994 is also provided. The results allow to validate the wider set of results obtained via equipment installation.