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Considers the case for auctioning spectrum and evaluates the charges made by Nicholas Negroporte against the British Government, regarding taxing Internet technology. Argues that the size of the licence fee does not affect prices, and disputes the various attempts made to refute the argument. Posits the lesson to be learned by the Government is better auction design, plus rigorous competition policy implementation.

Posits when someone gets a spectrum licence, they are almost guaranteed that the market structure of the service provided will be frozen for a certain period. Suggest a new system based on property rights and spectrum trading would challenge all this. Concludes that a new regime based on property rights and spectrum trade is within reach. Contends that in some frequency bands, spectrum is the only bottleneck that impedes the entry of new operators.

This article is based on a systematic and comprehensive review of the literature on two-sided platforms, the business structure based on the concept of matchmaking groups of customers (e.g. Uber or Airbnb). The research aims to identify gaps in the existing literature while providing a structured summary of the existing knowledge in the field. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework enabling platform thinking, the ability to see hybrid multi-sided platforms as a useful resource-orchestration structure to unveil innovation opportunities.

This study adopts a bibliometric approach, combing co-citation and text mining analyses of 196 papers, also implementing a longitudinal analysis that highlights the evolution of the field since its inception till today.

The novel aspect of the paper consists in taking a purely managerial stance of a very peculiar kind of platform, merging existing knowledge in comprehensive frameworks while providing potential avenues for research.

From an academic perspective, this research highlights the double nature of two-sided platforms: as an operational choice or as a way to exploit (digital) assets and reach the economic sustainability. A research agenda is proposed, based on three pillars: a side-based standpoint, a business model perspective and an evolutionary stance to see how these businesses may evolve.

The research identifies different literature streams that may help practitioners in identifying how two-sided platforms may help them in fostering innovation.

The identification of two-sided platforms as a different way to create value (transaction platforms) or to capture value (non-transaction platform), enhancing the debate on this innovative business model. A research agenda to bring the field forward is proposed.