First reading of the Draft Decision of the Riigikogu (658 OE) "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Develop a Plan for Increasing Competition in the Mobile Communications Market and Accelerating Number Portability"
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-08 21:14
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 52
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 40m
AI Summaries: 52/52 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated Draft Resolution 658 OE, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, the aim of which was to oblige the Government of the Republic to develop a plan for increasing competition in the mobile communications market and accelerating number portability. The presenter of the draft resolution, Lauri Laats, emphasized that Estonian mobile communication services are 30–35% more expensive compared to other Baltic states, citing the operators' high profit margins (approximately 20% of turnover). The main problem is that the long number transfer time (up to 50% of transfers are left incomplete) allows operators to offer better prices only to those customers who threaten to leave, thereby creating a so-called convenience tax. The draft resolution proposed shortening the number transfer period to a maximum of one working day and establishing real-time portability in the future.
During the debate, questions were raised regarding coverage issues in sparsely populated areas and the government's inaction. Mario Kadastik, representing the Economic Affairs Committee, announced that the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs is already working on accelerating number portability, planning to shorten the process to a matter of hours. Despite the government addressing the issue, the Centre Party did not withdraw the draft resolution. During discussions, Andres Metsoja stressed that the state had made a mistake by failing to mandate the provision of high-quality data communication in rural areas through frequency tenders. The draft resolution was put to a final vote, but the required majority of the Riigikogu membership was not achieved (17 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention), and the bill was dropped from the proceedings.
Decisions Made 1
Draft Resolution 658 OE of the Riigikogu was put to the final vote. Adoption of the draft required a majority vote of the full membership of the Riigikogu. 17 members voted in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstained. The draft resolution failed to gain support and was dropped from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was the bill's proponent, Lauri Laats (Centre Party), who thoroughly explained the bill's objectives: lowering mobile communication prices and increasing competition by accelerating number portability. He answered several questions, defending the view that the operators' high profit margins indicate insufficient market competition. His stance on market regulation was left-wing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar proceeded with the agenda, introducing as the fourth item the first reading of Riigikogu decision draft 658, submitted by the Centre Party faction. This draft concerns the development of a plan for increasing competition in the mobile communications market and accelerating number portability. He then invited Riigikogu member Lauri Laats to present the draft.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar proceeded to the fourth item on the agenda, which was the first reading of draft Riigikogu resolution 658 OE, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction. This draft proposes that the Government of the Republic develop a plan to increase competition in the mobile communications market and accelerate number portability. He then invited Riigikogu member Lauri Laats to introduce the draft resolution.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats introduced a draft resolution by the Estonian Centre Party faction, the main goal of which is to lower mobile service prices in Estonia, which are significantly higher than in neighboring countries, by increasing competition in the telecommunications market. To achieve this, it is proposed to shorten the mobile number portability period to a maximum of one working day and to create a framework for real-time number portability, in order to prevent a situation where a long transition period allows operators to maintain high profits and offer special deals only to customers considering leaving, thereby ensuring more transparent pricing and protecting the interests of long-term customers.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats, representing the Centre Party faction, introduced a draft resolution of the Riigikogu aimed at regulating the mobile services market and lowering prices. This would be achieved by shortening the number portability period to a maximum of one working day, in order to increase competition and compel telecom operators to offer fairer pricing to long-term customers, given that services in Estonia are currently 30–35% more expensive than in neighboring countries and the profit margins of service providers are excessively high.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the presenter, noted that he had received questions, and subsequently gave the floor to Andres Metsoja.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja noted that despite earlier regulatory efforts, the main problem facing the communications market remains poor coverage and data service quality in sparsely populated areas, leaving residents without options, and he emphasized that the situation requires a broader solution than merely switching service providers.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja notes that despite earlier efforts to develop the telecommunications market (including the broadband project and frequency aggregation), a serious problem persists in sparsely populated areas—namely, the lack of coverage or poor quality, which precludes the choice of a service provider. He questions whether this issue requires a broader solution than merely switching operators.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats acknowledges the issues raised by his colleague but questions their direct influence on the extremely high prices of services in Estonia, citing, for example, the high cost of fixed internet connections. He also criticizes the illogical practice of laying optical cable to uninhabited plots. He emphasizes that their proposal focuses specifically on mobile communications, where shortening the number portability period increases competition and compels operators to immediately offer customers a more favorable price. This is intended to prevent a situation where the consumer constantly has to spend time and haggle just to secure the market rate.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats is criticizing the unreasonably high prices of telecommunication services, particularly fixed internet connections, and questions the practicality of laying optical cables in uninhabited areas designated for detailed planning. The primary focus of his address, however, is the lack of transparency in the mobile services market, which forces consumers to constantly haggle and threaten to switch providers just to secure a better rate. To address this issue, he proposes shortening the number portability period. This would compel operators to offer customers a fair price from the start of the service, eliminating the need for constant price monitoring.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Aleksei Yevgrafov, inviting him to the podium.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov commended the preceding comprehensive arguments, but wished to know how the process in question is organized in neighboring countries, and what the stance of Estonian mobile operators is regarding this matter.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov commended his colleague's thorough arguments but requested additional information regarding how the process is organized in neighboring countries, and inquired about the stance of Estonian mobile operators on this specific issue.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes the need for the rapid adoption of the submitted draft decision, arguing that it would streamline the market for participants (especially smaller service providers) and the ministry-supported market, end the unnecessary inconvenience faced by clients, and guarantee them more favorable terms.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes the necessity of quickly adopting the submitted draft decision in order to organize the domestic market and put an end to the needless back-and-forth shuffling of clients, a move supported by both smaller service providers and the ministry, who see it as the solution for achieving more favorable conditions without undue delay.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Vadim Belobrovtsev, inviting him to the podium to deliver his speech.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev expresses indignation over the slowness and high price of Estonian internet services, suspecting collusion between operators, and blames the government for inaction, as the promised intervention to improve the situation still has not taken place by the end of the year.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev sharply criticizes the high cost and sluggishness of Estonian internet services, noting they are among the worst in Europe, and suspects collusion between operators. He also faults the government for failing to take any action so far to solve the problem and improve the situation, despite earlier promises to address the issue already during 2025.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that despite repeated discussions, including those held with the minister, no solution has been found for the problem of slow internet and high prices. This is why they themselves initiated a draft bill, which is necessary for regulating the market and lowering the price level, especially considering the severe financial struggles people are facing, and the bill finds support primarily among smaller market participants.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stressed that despite the issue of slow internet speeds and high prices being repeatedly discussed, the government has failed to take action. Consequently, they have personally initiated a bill designed to regulate the market and bring price levels down. This proposal has garnered support primarily from smaller market participants, and they deem swift action essential given the current challenging economic situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the podium and gave her the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart thanked the rapporteur for the submitted draft bill, but expressed concern regarding the government's long-term inaction on this matter, asking why the problem has not been resolved thus far. She also inquired whether the delay might be due to agreements concluded with businesses, and simultaneously requested more detailed information about the alleged drafting process being undertaken by the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart thanks the rapporteur for the submitted draft bill, but expresses concern and raises questions regarding the government's long-term inaction on this topic, inquiring whether the preparations by the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs have stalled, and whether the reason for the delay might be agreements concluded with businesses.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticizes the government’s general inaction and inefficiency, noting that things simply aren’t moving forward. He cites examples ranging from the vague state budget to the issue of light mobility device safety, where, instead of concrete solutions, all one hears are empty promises and buzzwords like “we’re thinking about it” and “we’ll convene.” He concludes that the entire government and the service sector are floundering.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats sharply criticizes the government's overall inefficiency and indecisiveness, which is evident both in the confusing budget process and in the dragging out of vitally important issues (such as the safety of light personal vehicles/e-scooters). The only response given is "we are thinking and convening," which is why the entire government's operation is stumbling and things aren't moving forward.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar handed the floor over to Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits points out that Estonia is the most expensive of the Baltic states when it comes to the price of data communication and fixed internet connections. He demands an explanation for the real reason behind this, especially considering the country is not leading in the relevant rankings.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits points out the fact that Estonia is not in a leading position in the rankings for data communication and fixed internet connection, and asks what the reason is that Estonia is the most expensive in this sector compared to the Baltic states.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats analyzes the high price level of Estonian telecommunications services—which are 30–35% more expensive for mobile services and several times more expensive for fixed connections than elsewhere. He concludes that this stems from the small market size and, particularly, the fact that pricing is excessively inflated, a situation confirmed by operators' significantly high profit margins (around 20%). Moreover, existing customers are only offered favorable rates when they threaten to switch providers, effectively forcing them to pay a "convenience tax."
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the extremely high prices of Estonian telecommunication services, which are several times more expensive than elsewhere, arguing that this stems not so much from network maintenance obligations but rather from operators' 20% profit margins and a so-called "convenience fee" levied on loyal customers. He suggests that there is too much "air" in the pricing—excessive markup—which could be brought down by stimulating the market.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar, after thanking the presenter and declaring the round of questions closed, made an exception and nevertheless allowed Rain Epler to ask one quick question so that the situation would be balanced—or, as the saying goes, "the church in the middle of the village."
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the presenter, declared the round of questions closed, but at the last moment made an exception for Rain Epler, asking him to pose a quick question and promising a quick answer as well, in order to achieve a reasonable compromise—or, as the saying goes, "a church in the middle of the village."
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler stressed the need for a quick and unequivocal yes-or-no answer to the question that had been posed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasized the need for greater attention in the future and concluded his address by yielding the floor to Rain.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar urged the audience to pay closer attention going forward, and then briefly handed the floor over to Rain.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler, citing the opinion of a left-wing colleague that a 20% profit margin is too high, asks directly whether there is any specific numerical proposal circulating in the chamber regarding the limitation of corporate profit margins in Estonia.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler expressed his astonishment at colleague Laats's view that a 20% profit margin is excessive, and directly asked his left-wing colleague whether he supports numerically limiting corporate profit margins in Estonia.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that instead of directly limiting profit margins, the state must use legislation to intervene in sectors where low competition (for example, in banking, where the return on equity is abnormally high at the consumer's expense) hinders normal market conditions. The goal is to create a better competitive environment that would positively impact the consumer.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats confirmed that profit margins will not be restricted, but cited as an example the abnormally high return on equity of Estonian commercial banks, which indicates insufficient competition. He emphasized that the state's goal must be to use legislation to create a normal competitive environment that would positively affect consumers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded the question round, explaining that the format of the debate did not permit Rain Epler to pose a second question, and subsequently invited Committee member Mario Kadastik to present the discussion of the Economic Affairs Committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar informed Rain Epler that due to the format of the discussion, he could not be asked a second question, and subsequently invited Committee member Mario Kadastik to present the debate that had taken place in the Economic Affairs Committee.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik gave an overview of the Economic Affairs Committee's discussion regarding the draft legislation on accelerating number portability, where questions were raised concerning potential market volatility and pricing transparency. Although the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs confirmed that the government is already working on amendments to the regulation that would allow numbers to be moved within a matter of hours, the committee decided unanimously to place the draft legislation on the plenary session agenda and forward it for final voting.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik gave an overview of the Economic Affairs Committee's discussion regarding the bill submitted by the Centre Party concerning the acceleration of number portability. Although questions were raised during the discussion about market volatility and pricing transparency, and the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs confirmed that the government is already working on regulatory amendments that would allow numbers to be moved between operators within a few hours (with full technical readiness expected by the end of next year), the committee decided to place the bill on the plenary agenda and send it to a final vote, despite the Centre Party's refusal to withdraw the draft legislation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker, made a joke about the incorrect title, confirmed that the Q&A session had concluded, and then opened the floor for debate, inviting Andres Metsoja to speak as the representative of the Isamaa faction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar praised the accuracy of the previous presentation, concluded the round of questions, and then opened the debate, inviting Andres Metsoja, representative of the Isamaa faction, to speak first.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja considered data communication an essential service, but he sharply criticized market participants for price manipulation and the vague speed designation ("up to") used in contracts, which forces customers to purchase more expensive packages. He also faulted the state for its inability to ensure high-quality fixed connections in sparsely populated areas, where customers lack freedom of choice among operators, effectively leaving them in a state of digital serfdom.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja views data communication as a vital service, but he has mixed feelings about the draft bill. He criticizes operators for their price-hiking tactics and the deficiencies in service quality, particularly in sparsely populated regions. He believes the state made an error by failing to obligate market participants in frequency tenders to provide high-quality service in rural areas as well, and consequently, operators should be mandated to improve data communication even in sparsely populated areas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar briefly and specifically requested three minutes of extra time.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja draws attention to a serious oversight in the development of renewable energy in sparsely populated areas, where wind farms will damage already poor radio links and data communication due to signal reflections. He believes the state should act as a demanding steward and mandate developers to lay broadband connection cables parallel to the turbines and install equipment in the masts to improve coverage in the region, thereby transforming the new energy parks into quality enhancers for local data communication.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja sees a serious oversight in the development of renewable energy in sparsely populated areas, arguing that wind farms degrade data communication coverage by severing radio links. As a solution, he proposes that the state should require developers to commit to running a broadband connection cable to every turbine, using the masts to improve data communication quality in rural areas. He stresses that solving these kinds of problems requires demanding, proprietary oversight from the state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar closed the debate, since no amendments had been submitted to the draft resolution, and proceeded to the final vote—which required a majority of the Riigikogu membership—on the draft decision submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction concerning the proposal that the government develop a plan to increase competition in the mobile communications market.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the voting results, according to which 17 members voted in favor of the proposal, but also stated that the draft bill did not receive support and would therefore be dropped from the proceedings.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced the voting results, according to which the draft bill, despite receiving 17 votes in favor, failed to gain the necessary support and was therefore dropped from the Riigikogu proceedings.