The Finnish authorities favour a competition-driven, fibre-based network roll-out assisted by public funds for underserved areas and advice for local municipalities on how to deploy digital connectivity networks.
Summary of digital connectivity development in Finland
Finland supports the construction of fibre networks in areas that lack business incentives to build high speed networks. The Digital infrastructure strategy 2018 supports the European Gigabit Society targets 2025, determines objectives for the development of digital infrastructure in Finland by 2025 as well as methods for achieving these objectives. Finland’s digital compass reflects the targets set in the EU’s Digital Compass.
National digital connectivity strategy and policy
The Finnish Government opts for a competition-driven, fibre-based network roll-out, with a special focus on and assistance for underserved areas (via public funds). Especially with regard to the latter, Finnish authorities advise local municipalities on how to set up entities dedicated to deploying digital connectivity, e.g. by joint venture of multiple municipalities or in partnership with private operators. In terms of investments, funding is expected to come from state and municipalities. A Digital infrastructure strategy was published in October 2018. Finland’s digital compass follows the targets set in the EU’s Digital Compass as well as national targets and themes.
Responsible authorities
- The Ministry of Transport and Communications (Liikenne-ja viestintäministeriö) is responsible for communications and digital connectivity policy, including legislation, guidance and supervision of the administrative sector.
- The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Liikenne- ja viestintävirasto, Traficom) is an authority for licence, registration and approval matters. It ensures access to high-quality and secure communications connections and services.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the managing authority for the rural development programme of Mainland Finland and is responsible for digital connectivity projects funded from the rural development programme.
- The Finnish Food Authority is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of digital connectivity projects funded by the rural development programme.
- Regional councils, the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and municipalities are also involved in the implementation of publicly subsidised digital connectivity projects.
Main aims and measures for digital connectivity development
The Digital infrastructure strategy, published in October 2018 by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, determines objectives for the development of the digital infrastructure in Finland by 2025 as well as the methods for achieving this objective. By 2025 all households should have access to at least 100 Mbps connections. It should be possible to increase the speed of the connection to 1 Gbps. Cost-efficient construction of optical fibre networks will be facilitated by streamlining the regulation on the placement of telecommunications cables. The permit procedure related to the placement of cables will be developed in connection with the drafting of the Highways Act.
Finland’s digital compass and the roadmap implement the targets set in the EU’s Digital Compass, but also includes national targets and themes that complement the EU’s compass. Finland’s compass revolves around four cardinal points: skills, secure and sustainable digital infrastructures, the digital transformation of businesses, and the digitalisation of public services.
The universal service digital connectivity speed was set to 5 Mbps as from October 2021.
The Finnish Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) foresees investments amounting to EUR 50 million. It includes an investment support scheme to increase the quality and availability of high speed connectivity network in areas where such connections are not provided by the market mechanisms. Financial support will be disbursed to digital connectivity providers. The digital connections supported under this scheme will offer at least a capacity of 100 Mbit per second.
Through the Tieto.Traficom portal, users can access a databank with information on monitoring, reporting and development concerning activities in transport and communications markets, e.g. availability of fixed and mobile digital connectivity networks.
Data on digital connectivity development and technologies in Finland
For the latest data on digital connectivity coverage, subscriptions and availability of different digital connectivity technologies check the country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless digital connectivity
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments, please consult the European 5G Observatory report.
National and EU publications and press documents
English
- Digital Infrastructure Strategy 2025
- Broadband Investment Handbook
- Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2022
- Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
Finnish
Contact information
BCO Finland (national Broadband Competence Office): combining representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, and the Agency for Rural Affairs
Postal address: Hallituskatu 3, 00170 Helsinki, Finland (PO Box 30, FI-00023 Government, Finland)
Contact via email
Phone: +35 82 95 16 22 18
Website
Ministry of Transport and Communications (Liikenne-ja viestintäministeriö)
Address: Eteläesplanadi 16, Helsinki, Finland
Contact via email
Phone: +35 82 95 16 001
Website
Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Liikenne- ja viestintävirasto, Traficom)
Postal address: PO Box 320, FI-00059 Traficom, Finland
Phone: +358 29 534 5000
Website
