DNA’s 5G network now covers almost 89% of Finland’s population based on place of residence. 

This translates to approximately 4.9 million people in 223 towns. The latest 5G town in DNA’s network is Kannonkoski in Central Finland. In addition, 5G construction of the Finnish Shared Network is underway in Eastern and Northern Finland, currently taking place in the Mäntyharju, Mikkeli and Rovaniemi regions. Construction of the 5G network also improves 4G connections in the area.

The 5G network launched in Kannonkoski in Central Finland does not yet cover the municipality’s village centre area, but this will be rectified in the second half of the year as the base station upgrades progress. At the moment, the network covers areas between Vuoskoski and Lokakylä in the northern part of Kannonkoski.

The Finnish Shared Network is a joint network company established by DNA and Telia in 2014 to plan, implement and maintain a mobile communication network in Northern and Eastern Finland. The Shared Network is currently building 5G connections in the Mäntyharju, Mikkeli and Rovaniemi regions. This work is expected to be completed between June and July.

DNA has been building a 5G network that can operate mainly either in the lower 700-megahertz or higher 3.5-gigahertz frequency bands around Finland. Lower frequencies offer a fast connection that is more than sufficient for normal Internet use and allow the network to cover a large area with good indoor coverage. The reach of this kind of a 5G network is typically several kilometres from the base station, depending on the terrain. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, offer gigabit-class connection speeds with minimal delay over a smaller coverage area. Lower frequencies are typically used in rural areas and less densely populated urban areas, whereas higher frequencies are used in more densely populated urban areas.

The construction of the 5G network also has the effect of updating the entire mobile network, as it requires old base stations to be replaced with new ones. This means faster 4G speeds and an improved user experience in the areas where the network is being modernised. In many cases, 5G also offers an excellent alternative to fixed-network broadband at home, so the completion of the network boosts the area’s competitiveness and expands consumers’ options for Internet services. A suitable device and subscription are needed to use 5G services.

Check the exact state of the mobile network in your area on DNA’s coverage map at www.dna.fi/5G. The map shows the theoretical maximum speed and frequency bands of the 4G or 5G network in the selected location. More than one frequency may be used in the same area, and your mobile device will usually the best option automatically. You can also check the map to see current network improvement projects. The map is updated at a slight delay, so the latest updates may not yet be visible.