Broadband 2015 project

Broadband project ensures fast network connection also to sparsely-populated areas

The aim of the broadband project launched by the Government is to provide nearly all Finns with fast fibre-optic or cable network by the end of 2015.

The objective of the project is that nearly all (more than 99% of the population) permanent places of residence and places of business and public administration are no further than two kilometres from a 100Mbit/s fibre-optic or cable network. Consumers may, at their own cost, obtain the connection from a telecom operator providing subscriptions.

Public financial support promotes coverage

The surveys of the Ministry of Transport and Communications estimate that telecom operators will construct fast connections in densely-populated areas on market terms. As a result, population coverage of 95% is achieved.

Raising the population coverage to 99% requires that fast connections will be constructed, partly on public financial support, in densely-populated areas with approximately 120,000 households and permanent places of business and public administration.

Telecom operators will cover at least 34% of the costs. The rest will be divided among the state, municipalities and the EU. Support will be paid to uncommercial projects. Fast connections will only be constructed where there is demand.

In the autumn of 2009, the Regional Councils have drafted programmes on the broadband network projects for which public financial support is planned to be used for.

Authorities granting financial support

The state has budgeted 66 million euros for the support over the period of 2009-2015. In addition, MEUR 24.6 has been targeted to the project via EU's Rural Development Fund.

• It is FICORA that distributes the state financial support for the broadband project.
• Regional business, transport and environment centres provide the support granted via the EU's Rural Development Fund.
  

Further information on the projects and project areas can be requested from the Regional Councils in Finland.