This situational picture examines the state of Finland’s digital infrastructure and the use of digital services in comparison with other countries. The comparisons are based on statistical data published by national telecommunications authorities or international organisations. The international comparison overview is updated annually, although different sections are updated at different times. The situational picture is produced by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.
SUMMARY
Each year, increasing volumes of data are carried in the mobile networks of the Nordic and Baltic countries. In 2024, mobile data transmission volumes in these countries already exceeded 18 billion gigabytes, according to statistics published by national telecommunications authorities. This means that, on average, a resident of the Nordic or Baltic countries used 44 gigabytes of data per month.
Although mobile data traffic continues to grow year on year, the rate of growth has slowed significantly over the past ten years. In 2016, mobile data transmission volumes increased by 65% compared with the previous year, whereas in 2024 growth was only 16%. There are notable differences between countries. In Sweden, the absolute volume of mobile data transmission increased the most, by 30%. In Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Norway, data volumes grew by more than 20%, while in Iceland, Denmark and Finland growth was below 20%. In Finland, growth was the most modest, at just 4%. However, in no country does it appear that the roll-out of 5G networks has increased mobile data transmission volumes beyond the normal underlying trend.
The objective of the European Union’s Digital Decade Policy Programme is that by 2030 all households should have access to a fixed broadband connection that can be upgraded to a download speed of 1 gigabit, and that all populated areas should be covered by 5G networks. According to the latest Digital Decade monitoring report published in June 2025, Finland’s 5G coverage stood at 99.5%, compared with an EU average of 94%. Coverage of high-speed 5G networks, which provide higher service quality, was also clearly above the EU average, at 92% compared with 68%. In terms of fixed network availability, Finland was below the EU average. Fibre availability in Finland was reported at 68%, while the EU average was 69%.
Finland’s share of mobile data transmission in the Nordic countries
Finland’s ranking in the EU
Finland’s ranking in the EU
Comparison with other Nordic and Baltic countries
Finland’s digital development has differed from that of many neighbouring countries. In Finland, investment has focused in particular on expanding mobile network coverage. As a result, mobile networks are used significantly more in Finland than for example in the other Nordic countries, because around half of Finnish households rely solely on a mobile network connection and do not have a fixed network connection at all. In the other Nordic countries, fixed connections are typically used indoors and mobile connections mainly when on the move. In addition to extensive mobile network coverage, these divergent development paths have also been enabled by the widespread availability of mobile subscriptions with unlimited data transmission in Finland.
In the development of fixed networks, Finland is closer to the Baltic countries, where investments in fixed networks have been more modest and development slower than in the Nordic countries. In the Baltic countries, mobile networks are also used more extensively. For example, in Latvia the growth in mobile data traffic is now stronger than in Finland, even though Finland still clearly has the highest level of mobile data usage per capita.
Broader comparison with other European countries
The European Union has set digital development targets for 2030 under the Digital Decade Policy Programme (DDPP). The programme includes a so-called digital compass and national digital compasses for each Member State. Progress towards the targets is monitored through an annual monitoring report and accompanying thematic studies and country reports. Implementation is assessed against forecasts developed at EU level.
The previously published Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) is now part of this monitoring framework and focuses in particular on key performance indicators (KPI) defined for the programme’s objectives. The 2025 monitoring report was published on 16 June 2025.
Finland’s country report notes that the availability of VHCN networks (gigabit connections) has increased but remains below the EU average. FTTP coverage is also below the EU average. Rural VHCN coverage is substantially below the EU average: in Finland it stands at 50%, compared with an EU average of 62%. The take-up of connections with a speed of at least 1 gigabit is likewise below the EU average. In Finland, only 5% of household broadband subscriptions are at this speed, compared with an EU average of 22%.
In mobile network indicators, Finland ranks 10th out of 31 countries for basic 5G coverage. In the indicator for higher-quality 5G coverage, Finland is, alongside the Netherlands, Italy and Slovenia, one of the only countries where coverage exceeds 90% of households. For rural 5G coverage, Finland ranks 9th out of 31 for basic coverage and 5th out of 29 for higher-quality rural 5G coverage. Ahead of Finland in the latter category are Italy and Slovenia, with coverage above 70%, while the Netherlands and Switzerland lead with coverage above 90%.