Rapporteurs to explore the future of the transport and communications system

Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner has appointed three rapporteurs to explore the vision for Finland's transport and communications system in the years 2030 and 2050. The rapporteurs are Esko Aho, former Prime Minister of Finland, Lauri Lyly, President and Chairman of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), and Inka Mero, Founder and Chairwoman of Pivot5 Oy. Esko Aho will serve as the chair of the exploratory group.

The objective of the high level working group is to come up with a vision on how development of the transport and communications system will promote the well-being, competitiveness and national economy of Finland. The vision will include a description of the state of the transport and communications system in the years 2030 and 2050 as well as the means by which the vision will be realised.

"The Government's goal is to create an environment that is conducive to digital services and new business models. We want Finland to become a desirable transit country for the flow of goods and data as well as a destination for investment, where some of the world's most advanced transport and communications services will be developed and provided," states Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner.

The focus of the high level working group is the entire transport and communications system and the possibilities for its business development. Transport and communications infrastructure requirements will be undergoing major changes in the future with the advent of, among others, digitalisation, servicification and automation. In the vision being explored, transport and communications networks and sector services will flexibly meet the needs of customers.

Attention will be focused on Finland's entire road, rail, waterway, port and airport network. In addition, thought will be given to how telecommunications and communications networks will effectively support the service needs of transport and communications in the future. Connections will be examined from both a domestic and international point of view.

Attention will also be given to the impacts that climate change and energy issues have on the transport and communications sector. The transport and communications system is an entity, within which there will be entirely new, sustainable business created in the transport sector.

The group’s term of office will run from 5 September 2016 to 30 April 2017.

Further information:

Mr Mikael Nyberg, Director of Unit, tel. +358 40 837 8794