Reform of the Act on Electronic Communication launched

The Ministry of Transport and Communications starts to reform the Act on Electronic Communication Services. To support the work the Ministry has appointed a monitoring group for a term from 28 January 2019 until 31 December 2020.

The purpose of the reform is to implement the requirements of the EU Directive on audiovisual media services (so-called AVMS Directive) and the European Electronic Communications Code (so-called telecoms package Directive).  At the same time, it is also possible to reform other parts of the regulatory framework for electronic communications.

The task of the monitoring group is to assess the need for legislative reform from the perspective of people, society and the business life and to monitor the progress of the reform. The group will also be responsible for supporting the drafting process by providing information about the current state, development trends and future prospects of electronic communications and the communications and media sector.

Monitoring group open for everyone

The monitoring group will be chaired by Director-General Olli-Pekka Rantala, and Unit Directors Sini Wirén and Maija Ahokas from the Ministry of Transport and Communications will act as Vice-Chairs.  There will be no appointed members in the monitoring group but anyone wishing to attend may register for the meetings.

The aims of the regulation on electronic communications are to ensure well-functioning, inexpensive and comprehensive communication services for everyone, a competitive operating environment and well-functioning markets for businesses and to provide favourable conditions for the development of new services.

What next?

The monitoring group will convene approximately three times a year. In addition to the meetings of the group, meetings around a specific theme may also be arranged.

The Ministry will inform about the monitoring group meetings on its website. The goal is to keep the meetings open and accessible by means of live webcasts, for example.

The EU telecoms package Directive includes provisions on the use of communications networks and radio spectrum; significant market power; universal service obligation; electronic communication services and end-user rights; numbering; and the authorities in the electronic communications sector. The AVMS Directive regulates the television broadcasting, on-demand programme services and video sharing platforms.

Inquiries:

Olli-Pekka Rantala, Director-General, tel. +358 295 34 2585, @op_rantala
Sini Wirén, Director of Unit, tel. +358 295 34 2532, @Wirensini
Maija Ahokas, Director of Unit, tel. +358 295 34 2390, @mmaija
Emil Asp, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 34 2498