Comments invited on raising the speed of broadband intended for universal service

Ministry of Transport and Communications
Publication date 23.6.2021 13.40
Press release
Woman typing on her laptop at home (Photo: Mika Pakarinen, Keksi / LVM)
Woman typing on her laptop at home (Photo: Mika Pakarinen, Keksi / LVM)

On 23 June 2021, the Ministry of Transport and Communications sent a draft decree on the internet connection for universal service and the minimum requirements for services provided to special groups out for comments.

Universal service broadband connections are provided in areas where the commercial supply would otherwise be insufficient. The universal service operators are designated by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency. The decree would increase the speed of universal service broadband from its current level by 2 megabytes per second to the level of 5 megabytes per second.

In the same way as the connection speeds are indicated for fixed-network subscriptions, the universal service broadband would have a minimum, normal and maximum, i.e. universal service, speed.

In future, the minimum speed of universal service broadband and the minimum requirements for the provision of services to special groups would be laid down in the same Government decree. The decree currently under preparation would not make any changes to the quality requirements regarding the special groups.

The decree would improve the consumer's position and tighten the universal service obligations as required by the Government Programme, the EU Telecommunications Directive, and the Finnish Act on Electronic Communication Services. The Telecommunications Directive defines a framework for universal service. Among other things, the Directive lays down provisions on the minimum services that need to be ensured by universal service.

What next?

The draft decree on the internet connection for universal service and the minimum requirements for the provision of services to special groups were sent out for comments on 23 June 2021. The deadline for comments on the draft decree is 20 August 2021.

Organisations and private individuals are invited to comment the proposal online at www.lausuntopalvelu.fi or by email at [email protected].

Following the consultation round, the preparations of the decree will continue by Ministry officials.

Inquiries

Sini Wirén, Director of Unit, tel. +358 40 507 0916

Inka Näkkäläjärvi, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 50 475 2740