Episode 6- Jasper van den Boom (2) - Regulating Competition in the Digital Network Industry

In this episode, Anush and Kena dive deep into Jasper van den Boom's groundbreaking new book "Regulating Competition in the Digital Network Industry" (Cambridge University Press, December 2025). Jasper introduces us to "progressive ecosystem regulation"—a bold new framework that challenges how we think about competition in digital markets. Moving beyond traditional market-by-market approaches, Jasper argues that Big Tech firms don't just dominate individual platforms—they act as de facto regulators of entire segments of the digital network industry through their ecosystems. His solution? A three-tier regulatory system that creates different obligations for entrants, mature ecosystems, and incumbent giants, with a radical twist: offering heavily regulated firms a "way out" if they divest parts of their ecosystems. We explore the distinction between "good" and "bad" ecosystem competition, discuss why early DMA experiences suggest we may need a fundamental paradigm shift, and examine whether current regulatory tools can truly check the power of Big Tech—or if we need to rethink digital regulation from the ground up. Join us for a conversation that bridges law, economics, and management studies to tackle one of the most pressing policy challenges of our time. Link to the book- https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/regulating-competition-in-the-digital-network-industry/0E8D7AB947EBF0209BA264AC051D38F6