Profits before people? Broadband pioneer faces challenges in mobile connectivity

Finland was the first country in the world to introduce broadband connections as part of the universal service obligation (USO) in 2010, i.e. requiring all households to have access to a 1 Mbps internet connection. This was possible because a comprehensive mobile network based on 3G technology had been built in Finland alongside 2G networks. It also replaced the landline telephone network in sparsely populated areas of Eastern and Northern Finland.

Now, operators have phased out their 3G networks to transfer these frequencies to 4G and 5G networks. The change has caused extensive connectivity problems in sparsely populated areas, as a properly functioning backup system has practically not been available at the same time. Intermittent connections have clearly harmed business operations in the regions, and the Wellbeing Services County of South Savonia, for example, already considers patient safety to have been compromised.

The interests of electricity and telecommunications network companies seem to have taken now precedence over citizens' communications rights in the decision-making. Mobile networks were not shut down in order of age, as mobile technology pioneer Finland has approximately 2.8 million remotely readable electricity meters operating in the 2G network. Operators are obliged to keep 2G networks operational until 2029. The exception is Åland, where the 3G network is still in use, but 2G is closed.