Transportation and Communications

Finland has a well-developed infrastructure. Finland’s transportation system is based on an efficient rail and road network, supported by a wide network of freight forwarders and trucking companies. Finland's domestic distribution system for goods and services is efficient. Finland has over 50 merchant shipping ports, of which more than 10 are located on inland waterways connected to the Baltic Sea by the Saimaa Canal. Twenty-three seaports are open year round. Finnish ports, 15 of which deal with transit traffic through Finland, can handle a wide range of cargo. The 10 biggest ports handle more than 75 percent of all sea-borne cargo traffic. The ports near the Russian border (Hamina, Kotka and Mustola) concentrate on forestry goods, bulk cargo and free zone activities. Ports are secure and automated; loading and unloading operations are consistently quick and trouble-free.

The well-functioning transportation system and the fact that Finland's rail gauge is the same as Russia's make the country a good transshipment point for Russian trade. Among other projects, Finland is developing the "gateway" concept further by maintaining and extending a highway in southern Finland that would reach the Russian border at the southern Vaalimaa border crossing point. The E18 road, from Kristiansand, Norway, through Sweden and Finland, to St. Petersburg, Russia, is part of the European Union Trans European Road Network system, connecting EU-member Nordic capitals with efficient roads.

Finland’s international telecom set-up began to admit limited competition in 1993, with further deregulation on July 1, 1994. On the domestic telecommunications front, competition entered the picture at the beginning of 1994. Finland’s telecommunications environment is one of the most advanced in Europe and the growth of international telecom is of significant importance to the Finnish economy. Mobile phone penetration is estimated to have reached 92 percent in Finland in 2002. The number of mobile telephones exceeded the number of fixed line connections already in 1998 in Finland. The number of Internet hosts per 1000 inhabitants amounts to 183; Internet penetration in Finland is the second highest in the world, right after the U.S. Finland was the first country to grant licenses for third generation mobile networks. Four telecommunications companies received licenses to construct a third generation (3G) mobile network. Construction of 3G mobile networks in Finland has been delayed, and the reason given is the lack of available UMTS terminals in the retail market. Sonera is the only one of the Finnish mobile phone operators to have launched commercial services on the 3G network. Nokia’s 3G phone was introduced to the public on September 26, 2002, and commercial shipments of its new and long-awaited 3G phone have started. However, Finnish mobile operators estimate that the real commercial exploitation of the new networks will not come before 2004-2005.

Almost every Finn has access to broadband networks. Fiber optic cables cover 95 percent of Finnish municipalities and 99 percent of the population live in these municipalities. Altogether 98 percent of Finns live within a few kilometers of high-speed fiber optic cable networks. However, two years ago Finland’s high-speed broadband network penetration rate was 0.73 per 100 inhabitants, according to Eurostat. The large number of connections in educational institutions and workplaces compensate for the relative lack of household connections. The change in household structures in the direction of single-person households is slowing down the spread of IT through the population.

In 1999, significant steps were taken to establish a digital television system in Finland, when the Ministry of Transport and Communications granted licenses for digital television channels. The licenses were granted for 10 years, from September 2000 to August 2010. The government also granted licenses for three special digital channels and a television channel that broadcasts regional programs. Digital transmissions began on August 27, 2001. The start was sluggish because some of the promised nine channels announced that they would not commence transmissions. In addition, set-top boxes needed for viewing digital broadcasts were not then available. At present 72 percent of Finns have access to digital television broadcasting. So far, 58,000 Finnish households have set-top boxes, corresponding to 2.5 percent of all households. The fourth digital television network will be reserved for mobile services. These could include new types of news services, information society services, video clips and television programs. Finland is one of the first countries to explore the use of digital television networks as a distribution channel for services received via mobile stations. The services of the fourth digital television network would be based on technology that combines digital mobile networks, television networks, the Internet and reception via mobile stations.

Under an existing plan, Finland plans to make a complete switch to digital television broadcasting and phase out analog television by the end of 2006.

Education

Finland invests more in education than the EU countries on average. All children aged 7-15 – even disabled – attend school in Finland.

Comprehensive school is a nine-year compulsory general schooling for all children aged 7-16. The municipalities pay for teachers’ salaries, books, health care, and school meals. After completing comprehensive school, students may attend high school for three years or receive vocational education. High school prepares students for university studies. Tuition at universities is minimal.

Helsinki has international, English, German, Russian, French, and Jewish schools in which classes are taught partly in foreign languages and partly in Finnish. The International, English, German and Jewish schools are private and charge tuition. University level education is mainly in Finnish, with exception of English language BBA and MBA programs in certain universities and polytechnics.

Helsinki has international, English, German, Russian, French, and Jewish schools in which classes are taught partly in foreign languages and partly in Finnish. The International, English, German and Jewish schools are private and charge tuition. University level education is mainly in Finnish, with exception of English language BBA and MBA programs in certain universities and polytechnics.

Medical Services

Medical facilities are widely available. The public hospital system will not honor foreign credit cards and/or U.S. insurance coverage. However, private hospitals and clinics that accept major credit cards are widely available. Travelers have found that, in some cases, a letter from their carrier describing supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful.

A foreigner is usually covered by the Finnish social security after moving to Finland, with health care as one of the benefits. Services are provided within each municipality. The quality of public health care is equivalent to care given by private doctors. In addition, the employers subsidize occupational health care.

Housing

Most people in Finland own their own housing. The cost to rent an apartment varies depending on the size, age, condition and location. Rents are generally quite high, especially within the Helsinki area, and most places come unfurnished.

Food

Despite prices converging with other EU levels, Finland’s price structure regarding food and household needs is the lowest of the Nordic countries and only slightly above the OECD average. Finnish food is consistent to produce that is in season, which provides an array of berries, mushrooms, seafood etc. Potatoes are a main staple and accompany most evening dishes..

Temporary Goods Entry Requirements

Temporary exemption from duty can be granted, for instance, to the following:

Temporary exemption from duty can be granted, for instance, to the following:

• Goods intended for public displays at exhibitions and fairs
• Commercial samples
• Professional tools and equipment

If the goods are put to unauthorized use or are not exported within the prescribed time they must go through normal customs clearance and become liable for relevant duties and taxes.

In Finland, the ATA-Carnet, the international customs documentation for temporary duty-free admission is issued by the Chamber of Commerce. The ATA-Carnets are frequently used for temporary imports e.g. samples, exhibition materials, and professional equipment (laptop computers, software), and are valid for one year.