Base de Datos de Proyectos de PDR

An example from Finland of the use of measure 321 (Basic services for the economy and rural population) to improve the vitality of a remote rural area by setting-up an operational broadband internet connection for 5 villages

The following villages are involved in the project: Jyrynkylä in Kurikka, Salonkylä and Järvikylä in Karijoki, and Puskankylä and Uuronkylä in Kauhajoki. Before the project, there was no broadband connection in all of them. The decision by the local telephone operator to discontinue its landline network in the area took away the last hopes of the area's inhabitants for the opportunity to have a fixed broadband connection. Consequently, the inhabitants decided to organise their own connection.

To improve the vitality of the area by setting-up an operational broadband connection for 5 villages where no such connection had existed before in order to improve opportunities for working remotely in the area; increase the competitiveness of local businesses, and; improve care services for elderly people living at home.

With the project's help, a trunk line for a fibre-optic network was built for the villages, and all the villagers have the chance to connect to it. The trunk line was built by Suupohjan Seutuverkko Oy (Suupohja Regional Network Oy). The fibre-optic network is open, which means that Seutuverkko owns and maintains the network, and the service providers come from elsewhere.

The 59 properties connected to the data network now have fibre-optic connections. The fibre-optic network has also brought television reception up to standard," says Anne-Mari Leppinen of Suupohjan Seutuverkko Oy. The connection also brings opportunities for remote working and long-distance learning, which increase job satisfaction in the villages and the vitality of the area.

Because Seutuverkko is an open network, both large, national operators and small, local sole traders can become service providers. This has proven to be a good operational model, since it creates opportunities for a large number of businesses. The inhabitants of the villages can also take advantage of the opportunities generated by the fibre-optic network when they reorganise services in their own area.

Suupohja municipality, Southern Ostrobothnia, Finland

Etelä-Pohjanmaa

Mainland

180 000

https://www.maaseutu.fi

Anne-Mari Leppinen

anne-mari.leppinen@suupohjanseutuverkko.fi

+358 46 851 2908

English, Finnish