There are already half a million mobile broadband users in Finland. According to the most recent comparative survey, Elisa still remains the leading 3G operator in Finland as regards both coverage area and connection speed.

Finns have become frequent mobile broadband users. During 2008, data use increased by as much as ten times when compared to the previous year, and the rapid growth still continues. At the moment, almost 90 per cent of Finns live within a 3G network coverage area.

To meet the exponential growth in mobile broadband use, mobile operators have expanded their respective 3G networks at a quick pace. According to a survey conducted by the European Communications Engineering (ECE Ltd), Elisa has risen the best to the challenge.

“According to the ECE’s survey results, Elisa’s 3G network clearly has a more extensive coverage area and faster mobile broadband connections than its competitors. This is due to the fact that we have determinedly invested in the quality and coverage of our network for many years. In fact, Elisa has more 3G base stations than other operators,” says Panu Lehti, Executive Vice President at Elisa.

The survey measured the data rates of mobile broadband connections in the networks of different operators by using a regular USB stick modem and a laptop computer. The data rates of Elisa’s network were higher than those of its competitors. A particularly clear difference with other operators was established with fast mobile broadband connections at a minimum of 1-2 Mbps. A fast connection means that it is more convenient to use the mobile broadband. All services may not always function properly with slower connections.

“The mobile broadband customers of Elisa and Saunalahti can test their connection for two weeks. Also in the next few years, users’ data rates will at best increase to as high as ten megabits per second, and momentarily perhaps even higher,” Lehti says.

The most common way to use a mobile broadband connection is to use a laptop and a USB stick modem. Nowadays, an increasing number of users also use a wireless connection on desktop home computers due to the connection’s inexpensiveness.