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Broadband distribution and availability in September 2006 Number of subscriptions The number of broadband connections has grown from approximately 300,000 to 1,430,000 during the current Government term under Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. About 50 per cent of all households have a broadband connection, compared with about 15 per cent in spring 2003, and over half of all Finns use broadband at home. Table 1. Number of broadband connections in Finland
1.2.2 Availability and affordability The regional availability of fixed network broadband for households has risen throughout the country from about 75 per cent to 96 per cent over two years. In southern and western Finland, broadband connections are now possible for nearly all households. In some sparsely populated areas the availability is still below 90 per cent. Wireless solutions will enable the extension of broadband connections to locations without access to a fixed network. The regional councils play a key role in promoting the availability of broadband. Strategies drawn up in cooperation between the regional councils and the municipalities have accelerated the provision of broadband infrastructure and generated public interest in broadband services. Broadband availability in regions that have been most successful in this work is already close to 100 per cent. Table 2. Availability of fixed network broadband services Target: Everyone will have access to affordable, high-speed connections by the end of 2005
Prices of broadband subscriptions fell substantially during 2004 and 2005, by an annual average of 45 per cent, the figure varying according to geographic location and connection speed. The connection speeds offered have also grown at the same time. By international comparison, these prices have been approaching the average seen elsewhere, despite the difference in geographic circumstances. 1.2.3 International comparisons In the increase of broadband connections, Finland ranks third in Europe. Finland has attained and maintained a leading position as per the set targets, now ranking behind only Denmark and the Netherlands. In terms of surface area and demographic factors, these countries are in a considerably more favourable position for broadband than Finland, and they have an almost complete cable TV network coverage (in Finland, the figure is 51% of households). Table 3. Finland's ranking in terms of broadband distribution Target: Finland will become a European leader in the availability and use of high-speed telecommunications.
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