>> More 'friction' more steps between companies therefore more cost to the customer?
Pretty much, but distance does not necessarily mean more participants. It depends on the backhaul arrangements and the call.
For example calling another person next to you may be;
phone -> base station -> backhaul -> switch -> xxxxxxx -> switch -> backhaul -> base station -> phone
Where xxxxxx may be the main telephone network, the internet, data service or some other form of long distance provider, inter-exchange carrier, or others.
It is further complicated by the ownership in differing countries where various players own various servicers under various ownership arrangements in various countries and the financial arrangements between them.
We tend to judge simply by retail rates available in each territory, but given that it is difficult to know the make up of that cost/price then it is still difficult to judge. It may include different amounts of capital expenditure recovery, operational costs, profit and taxation.
I'm getting boring, aren't I...........................
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