Internet

1. General comments
2. Broadband
3. Content

1. General comments

 The Ministry of Transport and Communications promotes the availability of fast data connections and services for all households and businesses. Promoting the building of optical fibre networks, other fixed network technologies and fast wireless connections for subscriber connection offerings requires many strategic level measures.

In content and service development, the Ministry focuses on information society projects in the public sector.

The technical functioning of communications networks and services is overseen by FICORA, who also grants Internet "fi" domain names. The Authority's CERT-FI unit promotes the safe and uninterrupted operation of the Internet and services available through it.

2. Broadband

ADSL connections in copper access networks will gradually be replaced by optical fibre connections, which enable connection speeds of over 100 Mb/s. Optical fibre connections are symmetrical, meaning that the data traffic is fast in both directions: to and from the subscriber. Such connections offer better opportunities for telecommuting and developing various social online services.

A minimum data transfer speed of 1 Mb/s has been defined as a universal service, and telecom operators defined as universal service providers must be able to provide every permanent residence and business office with access to such a reasonably priced service. Service providers are free to choose the technology through which they fulfil this universal service obligation.

By the end of 2015, the goal is that virtually all permanent residences, business offices and permanent offices of public-sector organisations - in other words, over 99% of the population - are located within 2 kilometres of an optic fibre network or a cable network that enables data connections with a transfer speed of 100 Mb/s.

Telecom companies are expected to build fast data connections on market terms, reaching a population coverage of approximately 95%. Public funding is required to make fast connections available to approximately 130,000 households in sparsely populated areas, which will raise the population coverage to over 99%.

The "Broadband for all 2015" project, set up in accordance with the Government's decision in principle, is being run by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

3. Content

The task of public administration is to promote information society development by creating favourable conditions for business and by actively improving its own services and operating methods.

Accessibility, user-friendliness and ease of use must be increasingly considered when planning information society services. The position of special groups, as well as children and senior citizens, as independent actors and users of services in the information society must also be considered more carefully than they are currently.

During the term of this Government, 2011-2015, an electronic media communications policy programme will be drawn up. The availability of electronic contents services for mass media will be promoted through all the main distribution channels used by citizens.

Copyright issues relating to Internet content are the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the regulations concerning them are contained in the Copyright Act (404/1961).