Lack of UMTS terminals hinders construction of 3G networks in Finland

date: June 14, 2002

Construction of 3G mobile networks in Finland has been delayed, and the reason given is the lack of available UMTS terninals in the retail market.

Mika Matturi, Vice President of Mobile Operations for Sonera, explains that while things are not at a complete standstill, there is no great enthusiasm to build expansive networks before commercial operations can get off the ground.

Sonera is the only one of the Finnish mobile operators to have announced when it plans to launch commercial services on the 3G network. This will happen on September 26th, the same day Nokia has scheduled for the launch of its new and long-awaited 3G phone. Sony Ericsson are expected to release their new UMTS phone slightly later in the autumn. Nokia expects that it will be able to supply its new terminals to the wider market from the beginning of next year.

3G mobile services will not reach all Finns immediately. Suomen 3G, owned by the local telephone companies, has opened up networks in 11 locations, most recently in Raahe and Ylivieska. Radiolinja and Sonera's networks are currently in use for testing purposes in the major population centres.

Finnish mobile operators estimate that the real commercial exploitation of the new networks will not come before 2004-2005. New networks will be built and rolled out as demand requires.

The authorities in Finland have not set strict timetabling requirements on construction of 3G networks in the same way as has been done for instance in Sweden.

Another slight difference here has been the relative lack of complaints at the building of relay masts in the landscape. In many European countries there has been considerable opposition, but a Radiolinja spokesman said the company had only had a few dozen complaints a year.

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