Speeding up the introduction and spread of new broadband technologies

Completion stages: 1 = Planning stage, 2 = In progress, 3 = Completed

Measure	Responsibility	Timetable	Details of progress	Contact person	Completion stage
6. The legislative and administrative obstacles impeding the wider adoption of new broadband technologies and services will be investigated.	Ministry of Transport and Communications, other ministries	September 30, 2004	The following reports have been produced: a) ‘Restraints on communication services’, and b) ‘Fibre to the home’.	Kari Ojala	3
7. The development of new data transmission solutions will be encouraged through public funding for research and development.	Ministry of Trade and Industry, Tekes, companies, higher education establishments, research institutions	Continuing	Completed at the start of the year, the ‘NETS – Networks of the Future’ telecommunications programme was a major R&D investment of about EUR 250 million. In summer 2005, Tekes launched the ‘GIGA - Converging Networks’ telecommunications programme for developing collaboration on different network technologies of the future.	Ministry of Trade and Industry: Tero Kuitunen Tekes: Kari Tilli, Erkki Hietanen	2
8. Any necessary amendments to mobile network licences (UMTS) for the purpose of promoting the development of broadband will be made, with due consideration to the potential for promoting network provision in sparsely populated areas through joint use of networks.	Ministry of Transport and Communications	March 31, 2004	- Preparatory work begun. - Operating licences amended on April 15, 2004.	Antti Kohtala	3
9. A decision will be made, based on the recommendations of a working group, on the timetable for discontinuing analog TV broadcasts, taking into account the effects of transition-period duration on broadcasting costs and the public’s view of what is reasonable.	Ministry of Transport and Communications	February 29, 2004	- Government Resolution issued on March 4, 2004: analog TV networks to be discontinued on August 31, 2007.	Ismo Kosonen	3
10. Investigations will be made and the necessary proposals then drafted on amending the TV and radio legislation to take account of the convergence of mobile communications and digital TV, and the operating licence process will be set up.	Ministry of Transport and Communications	December 31, 2004	- Background investigations are under way. - A working group was set up for the period to December 31, 2005.	Ismo Kosonen	2
11. A cluster programme for promoting digital TV network services will be introduced.	Ministry of Transport and Communications, companies	2004 - 2005	The ArviD digital TV cluster programme is in progress and will end on December 31, 2005; more information from www.arvid.tv.	Marjukka Saarijärvi	2
12. The development of digital TV return-channel solutions and the resolution of other technical problems will be promoted in collaboration with actors in the sector.	Companies , Ministry of Transport and Communications, Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority	2004 - 2007	- The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority is involved in the return-channel DVB-MHP standardization working group. - The ArviD return-channel project was completed (ArviD publications January 2005).	Ministry of Transport and Communications: Marjukka Saarijärvi Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority: Martin Andersson	2
13. Radio frequencies that become available will be allotted for use by new broadband services within the framework of international agreements.	Ministry of Transport and Communications , Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority	Continuing	- EU/RSPG (Radio Spectrum Policy Group) - Regional Radio Conference is preparing WRC meeting 2007, where use of frequencies will be agreed.	Ministry of Transport and Communications: Antti Kohtala Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority: Martin Andersson	2
14. The scope for promoting use of fibre-optic cables in household broadband connections will be investigated, and their use in the public telecommunications network will be monitored.	Ministry of Transport and Communications	June 30, 2004	- Preliminary investigation completed in June 2004. - Further investigation completed in April 2005 (Ministry of Transport and Communications publication 33/2005).	Antti Kohtala	3
15. The future of the fixed telecommunications network in providing broadband services and the potential for promoting fixed-price ISDN use in areas where broadband connections are not yet available will be investigated.	Ministry of Transport and Communications	May 31, 2004	- Project completed in June 2004. - Report: The future of fixed networks.	Kari Ojala	3
16. Care will be given to ensuring that the environmental legislation does not permit unreasonable charges for the use of public areas in the construction of broadband connections.	Ministry of the Environment	Continuing	The amended Act on Maintenance and Cleaning of Streets and Certain Public Areas has been approved and enters into force on November 1, 2005. It provides for reasonable charges to be to paid to municipalities for the temporary use of a street as a work site, and for an inspection charge based on the notification costs. The reasonable nature of the charges will be monitored with the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, in accordance with the statement of the Government.	Jyrki Hurmeranta	2
17. The compatibility of broadband networks will be secured in accordance with the communications market legislation, and standardization will be kept up to date to ensure that broadband technologies are interoperable.	Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority , companies	Continuing	This is constantly brought up in standardization and other cooperation at national and international level. Working groups led by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority have drawn up common procedures for the provision and combination of broadband networks and services based on different technologies.	Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority: Pekka Koskenheimo	2