Yesterday, Time Warner Cable released two reports as part of its Research Program on Digital Communications, which was launched two years ago.

The program was designed to increase understanding of the benefits and challenges facing digital technologies in the home, office, classroom and community. The reports are available free for download at the program’s website.

The report “Market structure and media diversity” looked at the impact of the decrease in the number of independent broadcast television stations in a market, which has a negative impact on consumer welfare.

The second report, “Between markets and mandates: Approaches to promoting access for persons with disabilities,” examined access to broadband by individuals with disabilities in order to identify programs and policies that promote broadband adoption.

“These reports from the best and brightest thought leaders in telecommunications and media policy are a wonderful resource to policymakers and industry stakeholders alike,” said Fernando Laguarda, director of the program and vice president for external affairs and policy counselor at Time Warner Cable. “The feedback from the community is overwhelmingly positive, and the demand for fresh thinking remains strong. We are pleased to continue making a contribution to the communications and technology policy debate.”

The Time Warner Cable Research Program on Digital Communications awards stipends to foster research dedicated to increasing understanding of the benefits and challenges facing the future of digital technologies.