Agenda Profile: Andres Metsoja
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"
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The main topic is the quality and price of data connectivity, which has been declared a critical service. The speaker supports the initiative to improve competition but strongly highlights the state's inability to regulate market players to ensure quality coverage in sparsely populated areas. The position is strongly policy- and performance-driven, focusing on regulatory failures in the development of the telecommunications market.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates in-depth knowledge of telecoms market regulations, spectrum auctions, and technical aspects (e.g., damage to radio links caused by wind farms, broadband connectivity). Their professional focus is on ensuring the quality and speed of data communication, criticizing operators for using "up to" speeds in their marketing. They also link connectivity issues to the development of renewable energy in rural areas.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is critical and analytical, emphasizing the state's inaction and the need for rapid solutions. Emotional yet down-to-earth expressions are used (e.g., "having to run home to talk from the top of a pine tree," "serfdom-like") to highlight the issues of sparsely populated areas. The appeal is primarily logical, detailing the tactics used by market participants for raising prices and manipulating packages.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the legislative debate, utilizing the extra time to thoroughly address the subject matter and bring up broader issues. They refer to previous work concerning the communications market, both in the chamber and in various committees, noting that this issue has been tackled "time and again."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism is aimed at the state, which erred by failing to impose obligations on market participants through spectrum auctions intended to service sparsely populated areas. The state is deemed inefficient due to the absence of a "demanding master" (or strong oversight). Telecommunications companies are also criticized for price hikes and manipulating service quality, which places the customer in a position akin to serfdom.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily on regional inequality, highlighting that coverage is inadequate in sparsely populated areas, and residents are forced to accept poor service or limited options. Solutions are directed toward improving infrastructure in rural regions, for instance, by extending broadband connectivity to households or through wind farms.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It acknowledges the principles of the market economy and the profit motive of market participants, but demands strong state regulation to compel market players to invest even in economically less profitable regions. It supports measures that enhance competition and bring savings to the consumer ("every cent saved benefits the consumer").
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The availability of data connectivity is treated as an issue of social justice and a vital service necessary for everyday life, energy management, and entrepreneurship. Emphasis is placed on the inequality between residents of densely and sparsely populated areas, where the latter find themselves in a situation akin to serfdom when it comes to choosing their service.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on accelerating competition and number portability within the mobile communications market (Draft Bill 658 OE), a measure the speaker supports. A key priority involves establishing national obligations via frequency auctions to enhance coverage in sparsely populated regions. Specific solutions are being proposed, such as running data cables through wind turbines, to improve connectivity in rural areas.
3 Speeches Analyzed