Verkostomaksuja

Verkostomaksuja is a Finnish term referring to charges for using network infrastructure. They occur in sectors with essential networks, such as electricity distribution, telecommunications, and water or gas networks. The purpose is to fund the construction, maintenance, operation, and development of the network, including reliability, capacity, and security.

Charges may be paid by end users or businesses to the network operator, or, in some contexts, by service providers to access the network (interconnection). A typical fee structure includes fixed components (regular monthly base fees) and variable components tied to usage, capacity, or connection size. The exact composition and amounts are often regulated or decided by sector authorities to ensure transparency and to avoid cross-subsidies.

In Finland, regulation of electricity networks is overseen by the Energy Authority (Energiavirasto); telecommunications networks and interconnection charges fall under Traficom, with regulatory decisions made periodically.

Verkostomaksut are not a single charge but a category of charges covering network costs. They influence consumer prices and investment in infrastructure. Public discussion often focuses on transparency and the balance between fair charges and affordable services.