Connectivity issues escalate in rural Finland as 3G network shutdown proceeds

Connectivity issues in rural Finland have significantly worsened due to the phased shutdown of the 3G network, which has already complicated work in these areas. Farm operations heavily depend on reliable connections for machinery like milking robots and harvesting equipment, as well as for maintaining essential communication between fields and farms.

The connectivity problems began last summer in Nurmes, according to Kalle Myllynen, chairman of MTK North Karelia. The situation has escalated as the 3G network has been dismantled. In North Savo, calls have also been increasingly interrupted in the past six months, making it challenging, especially for those operating vehicles and machinery that rely on traditional telephony for communication, as noted by Jari Kauhanen, director of MTK North Savo.

Similar issues have emerged in South Savo and Central Finland, raising concerns about work safety and operational reliability. MTK associations have alerted telecommunications operators about these outages throughout the year and are advocating for immediate restoration of coverage to meet legal minimum standards. Despite these complaints, operators maintain that the closure of 3G will not overall diminish the quality of mobile service. However, users with only 2G or 3G devices may encounter difficulties.

Elisa’s mobile network division manager Tiina Höckert confirmed that connection problems are investigated on a case-by-case basis to determine if existing cell towers are adequate or need upgrades. Meanwhile, Jari Kauhanen has had to secure multiple subscriptions for better reliability, acknowledging that while it is not the most economical option, it ensures more dependable connectivity.