Postal services
In Finland, the law guarantees high-quality and reasonably priced
postal services for everyone throughout the country. The Ministry
of Transport and Communications is responsible for the general
guidelines on postal services and for their development. The
Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, FICORA, which is
subordinate to the Ministry, is also involved in developing postal
services. FICORA’s duties include monitoring compliance with the
provisions of the Postal Services Act and processing customer
complaints. Postal services also have an important role in the
information society, as they provide a physical distribution
channel for the needs of online business.
The postal services market in Finland has been liberalised. The responsibility for the provision of mail services rests with Itella Oyj. The operating licences are granted by the Government.
The Postal Services Act entered into force in 2002. Under the Act, regular postal services must be provided at reasonable prices to all users throughout the country, and each municipality must contain at least one place of business providing postal services.
The amended European Union Postal Directive entered into force in 2008 and will deregulate the postal sector in most parts of Europe by phasing in competition by 2010. The Directive also includes revisions to licence granting procedures and to the responsibilities of postal service operators. The EU Postal Directive also covers the Åland Islands, which nevertheless retain their own postal regulations and postal service.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications has appointed a working group to prepare a revision of the Finnish Postal Services Act. The working group will propose the necessary amendments to the Act caused by the entry into force of the Directive. The group will also suggest other improvements to the Act, if necessary.