Number of broadband connections has doubled in 12 months
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The number of broadband connections has nearly doubled in just over a year. According to the latest study by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA), there are now about 900,000 broadband connections in the country.
In fact, the actual number is closer to a million already, as some service providers count jointly connected households as just one connection.
As the use of broadband has increased in popularity, the connection prices have dropped.
"As a matter of fact, the spreading of broadband connections is already showing signs of slowing down", says head of research Liisa Räsänen of FICORA.
The broadband market is undoubtedly gradually nearing its logical limits for growth. According to a Statistics Finland consumer barometer report, 68 percent of households in Finland have a computer, while 38 percent have a broadband connection.
Over half of those without a high-speed connection state that they would not be getting one, mostly because they would not have any use for it.
The government's aim for Finland is to reach the one million mark in the number of broadband connections by the end of the year. High-speed Internet connections are promoted, both in Finland and in the European Union in general, because of the notion that their use would increase productivity and competitiveness.
Experts take a reserved stand towards the claims of increased productivity being tied to the spreading of broadband connections.
A faster connection may increase the use of the Internet, but it seems to be mostly for entertainment purposes.
"Provided that the number of different services offered through the Internet continues to increase, the use of broadband will make life easier. But whether it will improve the quality of life is a different matter altogether", says special researcher Tatu Tuominen from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
"Still, when even the Prime Minister advocates broadband connections, it is a good deal easier for the youngsters to explain to their parents why the Internet is so important to their well-being."
In fact, the actual number is closer to a million already, as some service providers count jointly connected households as just one connection.
As the use of broadband has increased in popularity, the connection prices have dropped.
"As a matter of fact, the spreading of broadband connections is already showing signs of slowing down", says head of research Liisa Räsänen of FICORA.
The broadband market is undoubtedly gradually nearing its logical limits for growth. According to a Statistics Finland consumer barometer report, 68 percent of households in Finland have a computer, while 38 percent have a broadband connection.
Over half of those without a high-speed connection state that they would not be getting one, mostly because they would not have any use for it.
The government's aim for Finland is to reach the one million mark in the number of broadband connections by the end of the year. High-speed Internet connections are promoted, both in Finland and in the European Union in general, because of the notion that their use would increase productivity and competitiveness.
Experts take a reserved stand towards the claims of increased productivity being tied to the spreading of broadband connections.
A faster connection may increase the use of the Internet, but it seems to be mostly for entertainment purposes.
"Provided that the number of different services offered through the Internet continues to increase, the use of broadband will make life easier. But whether it will improve the quality of life is a different matter altogether", says special researcher Tatu Tuominen from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
"Still, when even the Prime Minister advocates broadband connections, it is a good deal easier for the youngsters to explain to their parents why the Internet is so important to their well-being."
Helsingin Sanomat