Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom invests in a centralised location data service with the aim of facilitating the work of infrabuilders and network operators

Under the act on joint construction, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency is tasked with ensuring that builders of the network infrastructure can access the necessary data easily from one centralised information point, and in a manner that is in compliance with the applicable information security requirements. The location data service provides electronic information about the physical infrastructure of networks and the location of cables, pipes and other similar active network components. 

A centralised location data service will significantly facilitate the work of infrabuilders. At present, information is often scattered between several operators, and, to some extent, the data may even be located outside Finland. The task of acquiring a comprehensive data set has been an arduous and uncertain undertaking. A service that is administered and owned by the state is a reliable and dependable solution for all infrastructure operators.

The centralised location data service will reduce the number of excavation accidents. This will improve the reliability of the networks, make excavation work and planning more efficient, and reduce costs.

Information related to the network infrastructure is critical for the functionality of the entire society. For this reason, the technical implementation of the location data service, as well as the disclosure and other use of the data, are designed and executed to fully meet the requirements of high information security. 

Traficom acquires the service as an in-house procurement. The location data service is supplied by Finnish Infrastructure Information Ltd, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the wholly state-owned State Security Networks Group Finland. The choice to implement an in-house procurement was made because the location data of the subterranean infrastructure constitute important information that must be protected and preserved in Finland. State ownership ensures that the service provider remains under Finnish ownership.

"The possibility of finding network information in one place is particularly beneficial to excavation operators, but it also benefits our entire society. This service will result in a reduced number of subterranean infrastructure service interruptions caused by excavation work, which will improve the reliability and overall security of our society. Retaining the data in Finnish hands is in the best interest of the Finnish society,” says Jarkko Saarimäki, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

The location data service will be launched on 1 January 2021, and the service will be made available to all those in need of network data. Network operators can start submitting their infrastructure data to the location data service in the fall of 2020. Traficom’s Regulation 71, to be issued in the summer of 2019, will provide more details on what information the network operators shall submit to the service and how the data shall be submitted.