The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom investigated the functioning of mobile network services in the South Savo region on 21–23 October 2024. Based on the measurements made, telephone and broadband connections generally worked well in the area, but individual areas with weaker coverage were also found. Solutions for these will be sought in cooperation with operators. Coverage problems are not always due to the shutdown of the 3G network.
Traficom investigated availability of mobile network services by doing field measurements in South Savo between 21 and 23 October 2024. In addition to Pertunmaa, Mäntyharju, Mikkeli, Pieksämäki and Rantasalmi, measurements were also carried out in the Varkaus and Lappeenranta areas. Mobile network measurements were targeted at the South Savo area, as the municipality of Rantasalmi and the Wellbeing Services County of South Savo Eloisa have reported on general problems with coverage in the area.
Connections in South Savo mainly work
“Based on the measurements we carried out, the basic communications services, i.e. telephone and broadband connections, were comprehensively available in the 4G network,” says Mari Österberg, Head of Unit. The coverage of the mobile network seems to be realised in the area, and no general coverage problems were detected. However, certain individual areas where mobile broadband connection speeds were relatively low were found in the measurements. “We will seek solutions to these problem areas in cooperation with operators,” Österberg continues.
Every household and company is entitled to affordable basic communications services, i.e. a functional telephone connection and 5 Mbps broadband service. To ensure that the services also function properly indoors, it may be necessary to improve reception by means of antenna solutions. Traficom supervises that everyone’s right to base-level communications services is realised. Solutions will be sought for all coverage problems experienced by service users brought to the attention of Traficom during this autumn – this cooperation and operating model has been agreed upon with operators.
3G network frequencies will be freed up for faster 4G and 5G networks
Reports about poor coverage of the mobile network in sparsely populated areas have increased during the autumn. “At Traficom, we have also received increasing amounts of contacts about coverage problems throughout Finland. The news reports have referred to the shutdown of the 3G network as the reason for the coverage issues, but the causes of coverage problems may be diverse, and there may be blind spots here and there,” says Österberg.
The 3G network has already been mainly decommissioned. The frequencies released from the 3G network will now be deployed for the use of faster and more efficient 4G and 5G networks. The transition phase in the deployment of newer networks still partly continues, and connections are expected to improve in the future.
“One important reason for problems with coverage may be that people still have old terminal devices that can only use 2G and 3G networks. In this case, a terminal device, such as a mobile phone or router, can only use the 2G network when the 3G network is shut down. This may significantly slow down data transfer,” says Radio Inspection Specialist Jukka Pihonen. The users should update their devices to 4G capability. It is also a good idea to check the settings of your mobile phone to ensure that calls have been enabled in the 4G network. For more information and advice, see the website of your operator:
Further information
Sari Tujunen, Legal Counsel, tel. +358 29 539 0336, sari.tujunen@traficom.fi
Mari Österberg, Head of Unit, tel. +358 29 539 0545, mari.osterberg@traficom.fi
Background
What does the right to universal service mean?
All consumers and micro businesses have the right to access certain functioning basic communications services, or universal services, at an affordable price at their home or place of business:
- A broadband connection with incoming traffic speed of 5 Mbps. According to the regulation, it is enough that the minimum speed is 3.5 Mbps, the normal speed is 4.5 Mbps and a maximum speed is 5 Mbps. The minimum speed refers to the minimum speed of the subscription, which is generally always realised. Normal speed is the speed that occurs 90% of the time during each four-hour measurement period. Maximum speed refers to the speed that is achieved at least part of the time.
- A fixed or wireless telephone connection.
- Text message service for the hearing and speech impaired.
- Internet service enabling video calls.
In terms of universal service, it is sufficient that a broadband or telephone connection functions in one spot at the user's home or place of business. Functionality may require the user to take measures to improve indoor coverage, such as a small antenna that is placed on the roof of the building and directed to the nearest base station based on the information received from the operator. You can get advice on the purchase and installation of the antenna through the universal service provider in the area.
Guidelines (External link) on phone and broadband connection functionality and availability problems.
How does the 3G network shutdown affect mobile network coverage?
The shutdown of the 3G network will especially affect customers who only have devices that work on the 2G/3G network. As the 3G network is shut down, such terminal devices will switch to using only the 2G network. The data capacity of the 2G network is significantly lower than that of the 3G network, which shows to the user as a slower data connection.
The shutdown of the 3G network is done regionally and at different times. When the network is shut down in a controlled manner, possible reception problems in the area can be detected and resolved. The shutdown of the 3G network will free up frequencies for 4G and 5G connections, so connections are expected to improve. Generally, there is also 4G/5G network coverage in the area, so the user can benefit from updating their device and subscription to support newer technology.
