Government and ministries Media

Press releases and Topical

Minister Harakka: Communications network capacity adequate even in exceptional situations

Press release 27.03.2020 14.04 fi sv en

Most of our society’s activities are currently built on communications networks. It is vital that they remain functional also in crises.
Ministry of Transport and Communications information pack: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the transport system, communication networks and services

Press release 20.03.2020 15.50 fi sv en

This is the Ministry's information page on matters concerning the coronavirus outbreak. The information will be updated regularly. It was last updated on 2 April 2020.
Transport of dangerous goods under emergency conditions ensured

Press release 02.04.2020 13.42 fi sv en

The Government has issued decrees that will bring into effect special agreements on the transport of dangerous goods.
Licence of Basso Media will not be revoked by Government

Press release 02.04.2020 13.40 fi sv en

On 2 April 2020, the Government made a decision that the programme licences of Oy Basso Media Ltd for semi-national and local radio broadcasting will not be revoked despite a change in the effective control of the company.
Updates to list of events of major importance for society

Press release 02.04.2020 10.30 fi sv en

The Ministry of Transport and Communications will start updating the list of events of major importance for society. Events designated by decree as being of major importance for society refer to events that have to be broadcast by television in the area of Finland so that they are available to a substantial proportion of the public free of charge either as live or recorded broadcasts.
Opinions invited on proposals to amend Rail Transport Act and Act on Transport Services

Press release 31.03.2020 14.43 fi sv en

On 25 March 2020, the Ministry of Transport and Communications sent draft amendments to the Rail Transport Act and the Act on Transport Services out for comments. Some of the tasks related to the maintenance of rail traffic fleet and rail registers would be transferred from the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency to the EU Agency for Railways.
Monitoring group to support the utilisation of data and data economy

Press release 25.03.2020 09.50 fi sv en

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has set up a working group to support and coordinate the work of different administrative branches in promoting the data economy. All ministries are involved in the group's work.
Summer-time begins this weekend – Finland ready to abandon time changes

Press release 26.03.2020 09.12 fi sv en

Summer-time, or daylight saving time, begins in the night between this Saturday and Sunday. The clocks will be turned forward one hour on Sunday, 29 March, at 03.00. Summer-time will end in the last weekend in October when the clocks are set back by one hour.
Temporary exemptions to driving times and rest periods due to coronavirus situation

Press release 26.03.2020 13.45 fi sv en

On 26 March 2020, the Government decided to issue a decree on extending the driving times and shortening the rest periods of drivers of buses and heavy goods transport vehicles by road due to the coronavirus situation. The purpose of the Decree is to ensure domestic goods transport and society’s security of supply.
Opinions invited on amendment to the Decree on Television and Radio Operations

Press release 01.04.2020 08.40 fi sv en

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched a legislative project to postpone the start of the subtitling obligation for live television broadcasts until 1 January 2021. On 25 March 2020, the Ministry sent a draft decree on the matter for comments.
Amendments to Decrees on road ferries, manning of ships and certification of seafarers circulated for comments

Press release 24.03.2020 09.20 fi sv en

On 17March 2020, the Ministry of Transport and Communications sent draft decrees on road ferries, and on the manning of ships and certification of seafarers out for comments. Both amendments are based on the new Water Traffic Act, which will enter into force at the beginning of June. The aim is also to improve the overall safety of water transport.
EU transport ministers discussed the effects of the coronavirus in the transport sector

Press release 20.03.2020 15.40 fi sv en

On 18 March, EU transport ministers held a video conference to discuss the effects of the coronavirus in the transport sector as well as the necessary measures to minimise disturbances in the internal market. In the meeting, Finland was represented by Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.
Minister Harakka attends a video conference of EU transport ministers on coronavirus

Press release 18.03.2020 09.32 fi sv en

On Wednesday, 18 March, Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will attend a video conference of transport ministers organised by the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Shared use of infrastructure in communications network construction: significant savings possible in Finland

Press release 14.03.2020 11.30 fi sv en

Press release by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Transport and Communications Agency Traficom
Taina Pieski reappointed as Director of the International Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Transport and Communications

News article 13.03.2020 16.46 fi sv en

Taina Pieski, M.A., has been reappointed as Director of the International Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Supplements planned for the new Road Traffic Act – technical amendments and less parking tickets

Press release 13.03.2020 09.08 fi sv en

The Government plans on introducing supplements for the new Road Traffic Act. They are based on amendments elsewhere in legislation that have been adopted after the approval of the Road Traffic Act and give reason to specify the Act. The Road Traffic Act is to enter into force on 1 June. The planned changes are mainly technical in nature.
Minister Harakka to attend a meeting of transport ministers in Croatia

Press release 09.03.2020 10.38 fi sv en

Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will represent Finland at the Informal Meeting of EU Transport Ministers in Opatija, Croatia, on 10–11 March 2020. The meeting will focus on maritime transport.
Targets set for the National Transport System Plan

Press release 04.03.2020 11.08 fi sv en

The preparation for Finland’s first National Transport System Plan continues. A parliamentary steering group has outlined three targets for the Plan. An action programme for the Plan will be drawn up on the basis of the targets:
Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy supports large-scale rail projects

Press release 03.03.2020 17.15 fi sv en

On 13 February 2020, central and local government authorities and Finavia Corporation reached agreement on establishing project companies for promoting the Finland Railway link and the high-speed rail link between Helsinki and Turku as well as on the financing shares of the parties involved.
Preparation of legislation on public vehicle procurement proceeds – low-emission vehicles and services to Finland

Press release 24.02.2020 11.22 fi sv en

A working group is preparing the implementation of the EU Directive concerning the promotion of clean vehicles in public procurement in Finland. The aim is to increase the proportion of zero- and low-emission vehicles in public procurement concerning vehicles and transport services. A study on the matter was completed just recently, and now the working group will use this to assess different options to draft the national legislation in a way that is cost-efficient and takes regional differences into account.

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