Overview of communications networks completed: High-quality connections are the foundation of security and growth

Overview of communications networks completed: High-quality connections are the foundation of security and growth

Secure and reliable communications networks are the foundation of functionality of society, security of supply, investments and growth of the data economy. The efficiency of communications networks affects people's daily lives, the operating environment of businesses and the ability of authorities to carry out their duties also during disruptions.

Security and growth objectives cannot be separated. The communications network infrastructure simultaneously underpins the security and operational capability of society and provides a platform for the growth of the digital economy.

These are the conclusions of the first-phase report of the project, "Security and New Economic Growth from Information Networks" (TUUTTI), published on 17 June 2026. The report provides an overall situation picture of communications networks, markets and services. Based on this overview, it sets out development trends and identifies key decision points that will have long-term effects on communications networks investments, security and future trajectory.

Decisions related to communications networks have far-reaching consequences, which is why forward-looking preparation and continuous monitoring of the operating environment are essential. The assessments in the TUUTTI report can be used, for example, in EU advocacy work and legislative preparation.

Minister Ranne: A unique overall view of communications networks

"This is an internationally significant project, as no comparable report has been produced in other EU countries. The TUUTTI report provides a comprehensive overview of Finland's current communications networks. This information will help us develop networks in Finland to improve everyday digital services and to strengthen the security of society," says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

Key findings highlight resilience, interoperability, dependencies and timeliness of preparation

Finland's communications network infrastructure consists of mutually complementary fixed networks, mobile networks and satellite connections. From the user's perspective, the decisive factors are reliability of connection, quality of service, affordability and the availability of effective alternatives in the event of disruptions.

Communications networks and the services built on them have a dual-use nature as they can serve both civilian and security needs at the same time.

Finland is well positioned in many ways. The country has extensive communications networks and significant expertise. However, further improvements are still needed in the regional availability of connections, wider uptake of new services and the sufficiency of skills.

The TUUTTI report identifies the following key findings:

1. Resilience, meaning the ability to withstand and recover from disruptions, is a prerequisite for growth. Reliable connections and competitive, reliable digital services support investment, productivity and the continuity of critical services.
2. More and more often dependencies are chains rather than individual components. Networks, energy, cloud and computing services, supply chains, suppliers and expertise all influence one another.
3. The benefits of investments materialise only when connections, data, computing and interfaces form an interoperable whole with a clear purpose that delivers value to the end user or customer.
4. Security and growth objectives cannot be separated. The same solutions must reconcile preparedness with cost and with feasibility. Reliable, high-quality communications connections are an essential part of strengthening the overall security and competitiveness. Consumers, businesses and authorities are becoming ever more dependent on them in an increasingly digital world.
5. Digital and technological sovereignty guides the management of critical dependencies. This means maintaining decision-making and operational capacity by managing critical digital dependencies and ensuring that solutions are interoperable and interchangeable. The aim is not self-sufficiency in everything, but rather identifying critical dependencies, reducing the risk of lock-in and ensuring alternatives where the impacts on security or growth are greatest.
6. Emphasis is on the timeliness of preparation. Some decisions have long-term effects and require anticipatory preparation in a rapidly changing environment. Timely preparation is important, among other things, for the predictability of investments and the deployment of new solutions.

Market-based development and open competition proposed as the basis for further work

The TUUTTI report proposes that further preparation be based on the principle that communications network infrastructure develops primarily through market-driven investment and open competition. The role of the authorities would be to ensure a predictable operating environment and to set the necessary conditions for security, preparedness and well-functioning markets.

The report presents that the priorities of the future work be preparedness and critical dependencies management, the joint development of networks, data and computing, the predictability and feasibility of investments, and the strengthening of skills and implementation capacity.

It also identifies four short-term sets of measures: a review of basic communications services and last-resort backup networks, preparation of mobile network licence packages expiring in 2029 and 2033, an overview of the state of construction of fixed communications networks, strengthening national influence within the EU and in standardisation to ensure interoperability of communications networks during technological transformation.

What's next?

The short-term measures identified in the report will be taken forward during autumn 2026 as part of ongoing preparations and separate projects within the branch of government of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. At the same time, the findings and needs emerging from the first phase will be assessed to inform further preparation.

Inquiries:

Kristiina Lappalainen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 004, [email protected]