An inquiry regarding internet services offered to people in Estonia (no. 646)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-10-07 18:08
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 31
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 37m
AI Summaries: 31/31 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda included three rounds of questioning concerning the accessibility, price, and speed of internet services available to people in Estonia. The first round of questioning addressed a historical problem – the speed and price of Estonian internet have, in recent years, remained inconsistent compared to neighboring countries and the European Union, raising questions about the need for state intervention. The questioners raised questions based on both prices and speeds, and asked what steps the state should take to improve people’s access to quality and affordable internet, and what impact this situation has on Estonia's reputation in the ICT sector.
The second part focused on Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta’s responses and an analysis based on other Estonian data and studies: regional accessibility, the prevalence of connections offering 100 Mbps or more, price levels, DESI and UN ICT indices, and delays in the implementation of 5G. The third part included questions from members of parliament and critical attention to large telecommunications companies, investments, the last-mile infrastructure, and possibilities for stimulating competition. The entire discussion concluded with the view that the functioning of the market needs to be better understood and competition strengthened if necessary, and that state investments should continue to improve connectivity and a reasonable price for consumers throughout the country, including sparsely populated areas.
Decisions Made 1
The discussion did not yield any concrete, binding decisions; it was agreed to continue analyses and plan improvements. Regarding further steps, it was noted that the Competition Authority, together with the Consumer Protection and Technical Surveillance Authority, will prepare a market analysis of retail telecommunications services as part of the 2025 work plan, in order to clarify the competitive situation and identify opportunities to improve end-consumer costs and speed. Furthermore, the minister emphasized the need to continue network development in areas with market failures and to implement funded “last mile” projects to ensure speeds of at least 1 Gbit/s in all target areas.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Vadim Belobrovtsev (pid=uexmw3AlP24). Politically, he represents the "other" category, meaning neither left-wing nor right-wing; his participation included introducing a question, as well as follow-up questions and drawing attention to the topic of internet prices and speeds.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there are three interpellations on today's agenda, and the first one to be presented is the interpellation submitted by Vadim Belobrovtsev on September 9th concerning internet services for the people of Estonia.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev points out that the internet service available in Estonia is very poor both in terms of speed and price, a situation that has persisted for years. This undermines the country's IT reputation and prompts questions regarding the necessity of state intervention and what measures should be adopted to improve speeds and reduce costs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked his colleague and invited the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The report notes that while internet pricing and speed in Estonia are generally satisfactory, competition remains scarce and rural areas face shortcomings. Consequently, the government plans to analyze the wholesale market, attract more players, and continue network development to guarantee 100 Mbps speeds for everyone at an affordable price throughout Estonia, including rural regions, thereby upholding Estonia’s reputation as an e-state and meeting the objectives of the European Digital Decade.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the Minister, confirms that there are questions, and first asks his colleague Andrei Korobeinik to present the questions.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik thanked Liisa and said that population density cannot be the reason why the price of internet in Estonia is several times higher than in Latvia, and asked her to offer other reasons.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The presentation emphasized that internet availability in Estonia’s rural areas covers 68% of households, which is higher than in Latvia (13%), because networks are built right up to every remote forest homestead.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar addresses a request to Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats highlighted Telia's significant net profit and revenue, coupled with a reduction in investments, which raises the question of whether the company is being too greedy.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
I am keenly awaiting a thorough analysis of the Competition Authority's 2025 work plan, which should clarify the factors impeding competition in the connectivity services market and detail how new companies might enter, considering Telia's significant market share and investment burden.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called Arvo Aller to the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller emphasized that fast internet must also reach remote areas, and he asked what had become of the "last mile" project, which was intended to bring high-speed internet to every village and household. He cited an example from the Toila municipality in Ida-Viru County, where high-speed internet was routed to a barn, but the actual settlement lacked access.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta stated that the last-mile connectivity project will continue in market failure areas and will offer internet speeds of 1 gigabit per second, as it is a priority, and its funding will not be cut next year. The approximate amount is about 30 million euros.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He pointed out that in the oligopolistic market, large operators are earning handsomely while end-users are paying exorbitant prices for slow internet, and suggested convening the executives of those companies to find a joint solution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
It's merely a call-out: they just say, "Vadim Belobrovtsev, please!"
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Solutions depend on cooperation, and we must acknowledge the opposition for bringing this issue forward. First, we need to examine whether the free market is delivering better results and whether the state has done everything required in the current situation. Then, after the Competition Authority completes its 2025 work plan analysis of the retail market, we can decide on the next steps, because the price-quality ratio and the final consumer's perspective on pricing are crucial.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called upon Henn Põlluaas to speak.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas is asking how the internet can be so expensive, given that the state used taxpayers' money between 2009 and 2018 to build a nationwide broadband network across Estonia and fund last-mile projects.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
I agree with this point: if the broadband rollout were to be restarted, we would need to take the financial capacity of end-users more into account and avoid an overly market-driven approach.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called upon Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helme points out that the internet speed-to-price ratio in Estonia is among the worst in Europe, and major telecommunications companies are generating monopolistic profits. He asks how and whether the state plans to implement regulations in this area to protect the interests of the public.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The third priority in our 2030 Digital Society Development Plan is to improve connectivity across the entire country, including in sparsely populated areas, so that pricing is equalized with densely populated regions. And although the DESI index shows us lagging behind in terms of connectivity, we are leading in other indicators, and subsequent steps will lead to significant improvements in the situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker addresses the honorable Minister of Justice and highlights contradictory data regarding internet access in Latvian rural areas (13% vs 88%), requesting clarification on what exactly he meant by the 13% figure.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Thank you—I have the data provided by my colleagues, but the reference isn't here right now. If you allow me, I will send it to you later in writing, complete with the citation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Our next performer is Aleksei Yevgrafov.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jevgrafov highlighted the very poor internet connection on trains and noted Holger Haljand’s opinion that allowing the construction of communication masts in rural areas would improve coverage. He explained that the existing regulation does not apply to electricity masts but applies to communication masts, setting restrictions on their erection (requiring a certain distance from the highway) and making installation complicated due to private land. He then asked if it would be possible to discuss this issue with the Minister of Infrastructure to find a solution.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that she is trying to solve the problem of internet availability on trains, focusing specifically on the Rail Baltic connection. She has also begun working with Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet to sign a memorandum of cooperation, which she considers a personal priority.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Rain Epler, who announced that the question had been withdrawn, thanked the minister, declared the questioning period closed, and opened the debates, inviting Vadim Belobrovtsev, as the representative of the questioners, to the rostrum.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presentation emphasizes the need to protect consumers and boost competition in order to improve the prices and quality of high-speed internet. It also calls on the minister to take concrete steps in the near future, as the current situation, coupled with criticism from the National Audit Office and limited market competition, clearly indicates that the state must intervene.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar closed the debate and concluded the discussion on the first item on today's agenda.