Finland becomes first country to make broadband Internet the law, Australia left behind
- 01 July, 2010 11:12
- Comments 5
Finland has become the first country in the world to force its ISPs to treat broadband like postal services and telephone connections. From July 1 onwards, every citizen will get access to a reasonably-priced connection with a minimum speed of 1Mbps.
The European nation has done this by introducing new universal service obligations, which are currently provided by Telstra (ASX:TLS) in Australia. Under local digital data service obligations, every Australian is entitled to a reasonably-priced 64Kbps connection.
Australia’s communications minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, recently joined Finland’s communications minister, Suvi Linden, as commissioners on the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, which aims to shape the world’s Internet.
According to a statement by the Finnish Government, this is one of its most significant achievements. The country currently has almost 5.4 million residents.
“Telecom operators defined as universal service providers must be able to provide every permanent residence and business office with access,” it said. “Last year the Communications Market Act was amended so that universal service also includes a functional Internet connection.”
Finland is known as a hub for telecommunications and is the home of telco giant, Nokia. Earlier this year, the country began considering whether or not to make accessing open Wi-Fi networks legal.
Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.
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Comments
TheCat
Conroy is doing a great job as a Comms Minister. I remember Alston being useless! Just because Finland has broadband doesn't make them a better country with better telco systems. They're smaller and have less people so it's only right that Australia has a 64Kbps thing. Lots of western countries don't have any minimum at all!!!
Asmo
Wow, we're being left behind with the other 190 some odds countries of the world...
Whelp, when USOco comes online, I'm certain Conjob will be on top of making sure they guarantee a minimum service to everyone as well. We better hope those filter chokepoints don't cause them to break it... ; )
Falooza
Quick, put TheCat back in the bag!
Coming of age...
It was only going to be a matter of time until Internet related activities are classified under existing, and duly modified, telecommunications legislation. Instead of snail mail we use messaging in manifold formats, instead of the trusty phone we have myriad audio and audio-visual communications platforms, and we use the medium to deliver all manner of broadcasting, interactive casting, content delivery etc.
Like it or not, it all needs some regulation. Time's up.
It's like watching the last 2 minutes of Dances With Wolves, as the last vestiges of the wild and free West faded into history, and the last of the free tribes soon surrendered to the encroaching palefaces...
Santa Claus
64Kbps seriously? That is hilarious! I used to have 64Kbps connection 15 years ago, when I bought my first modem and year after it was double when I got my active ISDN.
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