2015 Finland - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

Finland’s Broadband 2015 program on track to ensure comprehensive 100Mb/s services

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. As a result the country enjoys one of the highest broadband and mobile penetration rates in the region. New developments in G.fast and 5G technologies suggest that consumers will remain at the forefront of emerging technologies in coming years.

The country’s high broadband penetration has resulted from astute regulatory measures which have encouraged market competition. The government has set in train an ambitious target to deliver 100Mb/s to all premises, principally through fibre networks supported by subsidies through its Broadband 2015 program, but also with LTE in certain remoter areas. Recent spectrum auctions ensure that most of the population can now benefit from commercial LTE services.

Although growth in the number of mobile subscribers has stalled, in line with high mobile penetration, the market has shifted to mobile data and mobile broadband. Market competition has helped keep mobile call charges among the lowest within the European Union, while regulated tariffs and termination rates have also put revenue pressure on MNOs.

This report introduces the key aspects of the Finnish telecom market, providing data on the fixed network services sector together with an overview of key 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 reviewed. The report also profiles Finland’s fixed and wireless broadband markets, and assesses developments in technologies such as FttP, powerline broadband, wireless broadband, Wi-Fi and internet via satellite. It also provides statistics and research on the mobile market, including key regulatory issues, 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.

Key developments:

• DNA upgrades broadband network to 200Mb/s;
• TeliaSonera trials G.fast technology in Helsinki; DSL subscriber base shrinks as customers migrate to fibre infrastructure;
• Mobile broadband accounting for over half of all broadband subscribers;
• TeliaSonera launches commercial LTE-A services;
• TeliaSonera and DNA make progress with joint mobile network to deliver services in Northern and Eastern Finland;
• Nokia develops trial 5G data network;
• MTRs reduced, effective to November 2015;
• Regulator sets new connection and line rental pricing;
• Nordic regulators agree to closer co-operation for regional markets;
• Government legislates Information Society Code;
• Cinia Group announces plans to build 685-mile submarine cable linking Finland with Germany;
• Report update includes regulator’s market data update to June 2015; telcos’ financial and operating data to Q2 2015; recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

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