Home > Statistics > Telecommunications > Concepts and definitions

Concepts and definitions

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.