Telecommunications: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Telecommunications
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
The statistics have been discontinued. The annual statistics on telecommunications describe the state and development of telecommunications in Finland. The area of depiction of the statistics is limited to public telecommunication networks and communications via them. Telecommunications statistics cover telecommunications infrastructure and provide data on the volume of telecommunication services and on the activities of telecommunications operators, and the use of telecommunication services.
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
Broadband
General term denoting a high-speed (i.e. high data transmission capacity) telecommunications link. The connection speed is greater than that of standard telephone and ISDN modems. Most broadband access technologies are DSL and cable modems. Internationally the minimum broadband speed with a dedicated line is considered to be 256 kbit/s. In telecommunications statistics, a broadband connection is defined according to the technology (e.g. DSL, cable modem) rather than the connection speed.
Fixed telephone network
A fixed telephone network is essentially a communication network using a local communications system in which the terminal equipment is linked to the communications network by a cable or other fixed connection.
Mobile network
A mobile network is essentially a communications network primarily used for targeted communication in which the terminal equipment is linked to the communications network through freely propagating radio waves.
Network operator
A network operator is an operator that provides a communications network in its ownership or for other reasons in its possession for the purposes of transmitting, distributing or providing messages (source: Communications Market Act, 23 May 2003/393, FINLEX).
Telecommunication service operator
A service operator is an operator that transmits messages via a communications network in its possession or obtained for use from a network operator, or distributes or provides messages in a mass communications network (source: Communications Market Act, 23.5.2003/393, FINLEX).
Telecommunications
Telecommunications means a network service or communications service. A network service is a service provided by a network operator. A communications service is a service provided by a service operator.
Telecommunications operator
A telecommunications operator is a network operator or service operator.
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.
The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.
The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information:
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
User access (SIMS 8.3)
The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data.
Further information: The terms of use for statistical data
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (eur-lex.europa.eu) and the Finnish Data Protection Act (Finlex.fi) are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (Finlex.fi).
The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Further information: Data protection