Easier media, telecom regulations on cards

The operating conditions for the media and telecommunications sectors will see significant improvements as some proposed amendments to the regulations laid down in the Information Society Code are made, said the Ministry of Transport and Communications in a press release on Friday.

The Information Society Code will also be renamed as the Act on Electronic Communications Services.

The conditions for granting and withdrawal of programme licences for radio and television operations will be specified and the maximum time limit for radio advertisements during broadcasting will be eliminated entirely.

The conditions for running commercial operations will be facilitated by lowering the supervision fee that television and radio operators pay to the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority. YLE’s matching contribution in turn will be increased.

The proposed Act on Electronic Communications Services will guarantee access to television programming for viewers who are visually and hearing-impaired. The transport and communications ministry will enforce a decision to confirm the software to which audio and text services must be connected.

The legislative amendments will also apply to things such as the requirement for European television software.

The operating conditions for telecommunications operators will be improved by repealing the provisions related to tying terminals and subscriptions into one sale.

The legislative amendments will drive forward the government’s key deregulation project. The act is scheduled to come into force on 1 June 2018.

The ministry is currently looking into other parts of the legislation that require amendments.

An assessment memorandum on the marketing ban on mobile telephone subscriptions and the right to process data on payment defaults and misconduct by telecommunications operators will be on rounds for comments until 19 January 2018.