Europe’s two towers: the uneven regional geography of telecommunication standard essential patents

This paper explores the role of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) in shaping technological development and regional innovation in Europe’s telecommunications sector. Results reveal strong geographic concentration: Helsinki and Stockholm account for one-third of all cellular SEPs. Unlike other technologies, SEP distribution does not scale with population or prior technological expertise. Findings suggest a “rich-get-richer” dynamic where early leadership reinforces future dominance; however, this advantage weakens across technological generations. This study offers new insights into standardization’s spatial dynamics and underscores the need for long-term perspectives when modeling technological competition and diffusion.