Competition. Cooperation between different authorities to increase the level of competition both within and between communications networks has been continued. The means employed to enhance broadband competition include monitoring of subscriber connection fees and intervening in anomalies. In some cases, a cap has been set on connection fees. Evaluation and monitoring of non-discrimination in connection fees and equitable delivery times for subscriber connections have been developed. In spite of the increased competition on the broadband market, there are still obstacles to market and competition development. Competition requires continued monitoring, and any problems need to be addressed.

New technologies. Introduction of technologies supplementing fixed network broadband has been accelerated. Wireless area networks are becoming more significant locally for establishing broadband connections. Development of broadband communications technology and related products has been subsidized through public R&D funding. This has involved a wide range of actors, from research institutions and universities to companies. Convergence of mobile communications and digital TV has been supported through a proposed legislative amendment on an easier licensing procedure. The introduction of wireless multimedia has also been boosted by allowing bundled sales of UMTS phones.

Electronic transactions and on-line business. In public administration, e-transactions have been developed by drawing up a strategy and launching projects included in that strategy. Examples include preparation for a platform for e-transactions and continued introduction of corporate identification. Municipal online services have been increased significantly through the addition of new e-services in eight regional projects. Also, the KuntaIT unit has been set up at the Ministry of the Interior to promote the provision of online services by local authorities.

Consumer rights regarding broadband and other communications services have been enhanced through legislation. In May 2006, Parliament approved the Government bill for an Act amending the consumer provisions of the Communications Market Act. The amendment will come into force on March 15, 2007. A project for evaluating and drafting the legal provisions required for biometric identification has been launched for the updating of the legislation on electronic identification.

Participation of businesses and individuals in the information society. Information and communications technology training given to teachers and other employees in the education system as part of their basic and in-service training has increased substantially. The use of information and communications technology in teaching has also increased throughout the education system; for example, new digital online learning materials have been produced. The number and speed of broadband connections at educational institutions have been increased. In autumn 2005, external data network transfer speeds were less than 2 Mb/s in 26 per cent of comprehensive schools, 10 per cent of upper secondary schools and 6 per cent of vocational education institutions. Two application rounds for broadband grants available to general education institutions will be arranged in 2006, as in the previous year.

Efforts have been made to improve the potential for SMEs and Employment and Economic Development Centres to use ICT. IT interactivity, user interface ease of use and user-friendly services have been improved by supporting R&D projects in the field. Implementation of a programme to take the disabled and special groups into account is ongoing, and new projects have been added. The programme is being supervised by a monitoring group whose term has been extended until the end of 2006.

Information security and privacy protection. The impact of the legislation on the protection of privacy in electronic communications, which came into force in 2004, has been monitored, and the legislation has been updated. The Government bill concerning the amendment on the ‘information security fee' will be debated by Parliament in autumn 2006.

Implementation of the National Information Security Strategy has been continued. Information security awareness in SMEs has been enhanced through a training tour undertaken in 2005-2006. Legislation has been enacted to reduce problems caused by junk mail and to help protect children from harmful content on the Internet.

Special measures for regional development. The regional cooperation group set up in accordance with the new strategy measures prepared and organized regional training sessions, one for each interregional authority. This tour had the effect of activating regional actors to develop new communications solutions and operating concepts.

In 2006, FICORA has granted regional radio licences to 29 telecommunications operators for 3.5 GHz fixed wireless link loop (WLL) radio systems. WLL systems enable wireless broadband services to be provided for households, companies and organizations. They are particularly suited for areas where it is not economically feasible or technically possible to provide ADSL connections. The introduction of wireless technology makes regional competition in broadband services easier and also permits competition between networks.

The appeals lodged against the operating licence granted to Digita Oy by the Government for the construction of a new digital mobile network within the frequency released from the NMT-450 service have been processed by the Supreme Administrative Court. The appeals delayed the start of construction by about six months. The new estimate is that the first stage of the network will be online on April 2007. This service will make mobile broadband connections available all over the country, for instance at summer cottages, in boats and in caravans.

The number of broadband connections in libraries has not developed as had been hoped. According to a study of customer terminals and telecommunications connections in libraries, only about half of all libraries have attained the target of one customer terminal per 1,000 inhabitants. In 2005, EUR 460,000 was used to support procurement of customer terminals for mobile libraries and libraries in sparsely populated municipalities; the comparable figure in 2006 was EUR 500,000.

Contributing to international developments. In accordance with the policy of the Government and Parliament, Finland has continued to pursue a frequency policy particularly in the EU. The aim is not to have any undue legislative obstacles or tax-like fees hindering the provision or use of communications services. Finland supports the introduction of open standards in international cooperation. Finland has a challenging frontrunner role as a promoter of European information security. Finland has actively monitored the actions and progress of competing countries in broadband development and also exchanged best practices reciprocally.

Monitoring the strategy. Monitoring of strategy implementation has focused on regional efforts in particular. The laajakaistainfo.fi website has continued to be a useful monitoring tool. The secretariat of the working group set up to coordinate the implementation has maintained contact with all relevant parties.

Application of the instructions issued on public support has been monitored. The Ministry of the Interior conducted a survey among Regional Councils to explore the use of public support. The survey showed that a total of EUR 18.6 million was used for broadband projects between 2000 and 2005. Of this, local authorities used 41 per cent. The share of the EU Structural Funds was 35 per cent.