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: 30
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 40m
AI Summaries: 30/30 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda included Riigikogu Draft Resolution 658 OE, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party faction, which proposed that the Government of the Republic develop a plan to increase competition in the mobile communications market and speed up number portability. The bill's presenter, Lauri Laats, stressed that the prices of mobile communication services in Estonia are, on average, 30–35% higher than in neighboring Latvia and Lithuania, a situation exacerbated by the lengthy number transfer time between operators. This protracted process (which results in 50% of transfers being abandoned) allows operators to maintain abnormally high profit margins (approximately 20% of revenue). The draft resolution aimed to shorten the number transfer period to a maximum of one working day and establish a framework for real-time portability. During the discussion in the Economic Affairs Committee, it was revealed that the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs is already working on similar changes, planning to reduce number portability to a matter of hours, although technical implementation will require time. During the ensuing debate, issues regarding coverage in sparsely populated areas and the state's inability to guarantee high-quality data communication were also raised. The draft resolution was put to a final vote, requiring a majority of the Riigikogu membership for adoption.
Decisions Made 1
The draft resolution of the Riigikogu, Bill 658 OE, was put to the final vote. Adoption of the draft required an absolute majority of the Riigikogu membership (51 votes). 17 members voted in favor, none voted against, and there was 1 abstention. The draft failed to gain support and was dropped from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
Lauri Laats (Centre Party, left-wing) was the most active speaker, introducing a draft bill and responding to six questions regarding competition and high prices in the mobile communications market.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.

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.

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."

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 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.

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.
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.
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 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 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 the draft bill, despite receiving 17 votes in favor, failed to gain the necessary support and was therefore dropped from the Riigikogu proceedings.