The role of internet speed in higher education: a cross- country fixed-effects analysis
Date
2025-05-22
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Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between tertiary education enrollment rates and internet speed and usage across around 100 countries between 2017 and 2022. While previous literature has explored the role of digital access in educational attainment, few studies have examined the distinct effects of internet speed in a global context. Using fixed-effects panel regression models and controlling for key economic and demographic variables, this paper finds that internet speed has a statistically significant and positive association with gross tertiary enrollment, whereas internet usage alone does not show a significant effect. These results suggest that access to the internet is not enough and that the quality and speed of connectivity are crucial for enabling meaningful participation in higher education. The interaction between internet speed and usage was not statistically significant, possibly indicating no detectable complementarity effect between speed and overall usage.
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Keywords
Internet speed, Internet usage, Gross tertiary enrollment, Digital access, Digital engagement, Digital divide, Internet infrastructure, Fixed-effects, ICT in higher education