viestintälain

Viestintälaki, also known as the Finnish Communications Market Act, is the primary legislation governing the communications sector in Finland. It transposes relevant European Union directives into Finnish law and aims to ensure fair competition, consumer protection, and the availability of diverse communication services.

The law covers various aspects of electronic communications, including network infrastructure, spectrum allocation, and the provision of services such as mobile telephony, broadband internet, and broadcasting. It establishes the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (Traficom) as the supervisory body responsible for enforcing the act. Traficom oversees market competition, grants licenses, manages radio frequencies, and protects consumer rights in the communications market.

Key provisions of the viestintälaki include regulations on universal service obligations, ensuring that basic communication services are accessible to all citizens at an affordable price. It also addresses net neutrality, aiming to prevent discriminatory treatment of internet traffic. Furthermore, the act sets out rules for data protection and privacy in electronic communications, aligning with broader European data protection regulations. The legislation is periodically updated to reflect technological advancements and evolving market conditions.