Generation gap in the use of telecom services

Broadband and fixed-line subscription shares vary considerably between age groups

Different age groups have different focus in their use of telecommunications services. About 90 per cent of persons under 45 years of age have a broadband access at home but only ten per cent have a fixed-line telephone. Correspondingly, only every fourth consumer who is over 65 years old has a broadband access, but every second user still has a fixed-line telephone.

In the 2009 survey, a total of 65 per cent of households had access to broadband, which is about as much as in 2008. Also in 2009, only 25 per cent of households had a fixed-line telephone. This is 5 per cent less than in 2008. 75 per cent of respondents only used a mobile phone.

Examined by region, Northern Finland (Provinces of Oulu and Lapland) accounted for the biggest share of broadband subscriptions, 71 per cent of households, and the Province of Western Finland the smallest, 61 per cent. The Provinces of Western and Southern Finland had the biggest share of fixed-line subscriptions, 28 per cent of households, and the Province of Eastern Finland the smallest, 15 per cent of households.

The number of mobile broadband subscriptions has continued to grow strongly. At the end of 2009, 15 per cent of the respondents had a mobile broadband subscription, while the share in 2008 was eight per cent.

Practically everyone in Finland has a mobile phone; 99 per cent according to the survey. Twelve per cent of the respondents had acquired a 3G tie-in sales subscription. This is slightly less than in 2008.

Suomen Kyselytutkimus Oy, commissioned by FICORA, carried out the survey on the use of telecommunications services by interviewing 2 000 consumers between 15 to 79 years of age in mainland Finland in September and October 2009.

The survey on the use of telecommunications services 2009 [PDF, 197 KB] (in Finnish). Some key statistics [PDF, 1014 KB].


Further information:

Torsti Alhava, Communications Market Specialist, tel. +358 9 6966 461, +358 50 514 8285

Joonas Orkola, Communications Market Specialist, tel. +358 9 6966 734, +358 40 468 6018