2016 Finland - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

Finland’s telcos prepare for 700MHz spectrum auction

Finland’s telecom market is among the more progressive in Europe, with considerable emphasis by both the regulator and operators to test-bed technologies, particularly in the mobile sector. The regulator has been quick to provide additional spectrum for telecom services, with spectrum in the 800MHz already available for LTE use and with a multi-band auction planned to be held by the end of 2016. Supported by these spectrum allocations the country enjoys among the highest broadband and mobile penetration rates in the region. Digital media developments have also progressed well since broadcasting services became entirely digital in early 2008, ahead of most other European countries.

Finland’s high broadband penetration has also resulted from astute regulatory measures which have encouraged market competition, as well as a population keen to adopt internet services and their delivery through fixed-line and mobile technologies. The government has set an ambitious target to deliver 100Mb/s to all premises and by mid-2016 more than half of all households were able to access a 100Mb/s service. The incumbent, Telia, remains the dominant player in the declining DSL sector, while there is also a vibrant cable network presence in urban areas, as well as a strengthening fibre sector.

Finland retains one of most advanced mobile markets in Europe. The country was the first to deploy 3G using 900MHz spectrum. The Finnish vendor Nokia Networks is involved in developing 5G technologies, which are expected to be trialled in 2017. Growth in the number of mobile subscribers has stalled, in line with the high penetration, while the market has shifted to mobile data and mobile broadband. Market competition has helped keep mobile call charges among the lowest among EU member states. Regulated tariffs and termination rates have also put revenue pressure on MNOs.

This report assesses a number of key aspects of the Finnish telecom market, providing data on the fixed network services sector together with an overview of important regulatory issues including interconnection, local loop unbundling, number portability and carrier preselection. The major operators are profiled, while the telecoms infrastructure and fixed telephony services are also assesses. The report also provides statistics and analyses on the mobile market, including a snapshot of the consumer market, the growth of mobile data services and the development of emerging technologies and networks such as HSPA, LTE and 5G. In addition the report profiles Finland’s fixed and wireless broadband markets, together with developments in related technologies such as FttP, powerline broadband, wireless broadband, Wi-Fi and internet via satellite. It also provides broadband forecasts to 2021.

Key developments:

• Regulator sets new connection and line rental pricing;
• Nordic regulators agree to closer co-operation for regional markets;
• Cinia Group to build a 685-mile submarine cable linking Finland with Germany;
• Fixed-voice subscriptions continue to fall;
• DNA contracts Teleste to provide DOCSIS3.1 equipment;
• Telia trials G.fast technology in Helsinki with Huawei;
• DSL subscriber base shrinks as customers migrate to fibre infrastructure;
• Regulator providing €7 million funding for rural broadband projects;
• 100Mb/s broadband service available to more than half of all households;
• DNA launches 1Gb/s broadband service;
• Regulator preps for 700MHz auction by end-2016;
• Telia expands LTE-A footprint;
• DNA launches Finland’s first 600Mb/s mobile broadband offer;
• Ukko Mobile contracts Huawei to develop an LTE450 network;
• Elisa claims 1.9Gb/s download on its LTE network;
• Nokia developing 5G data network;
• Report update includes the regulator’s market data update to June 2016, telcos’ financial and operating data to Q3 2016, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Telia, Finnet Group, DNA, Elisa, TDC Finland, Tele2, DNA, Digita, Helsinki Television, Sonera Cable, Canal+, Yleisradio.