Recent articles by Yle have generated significant discussion on mobile network inefficiencies in sparsely populated areas of Finland, especially regarding the challenges of making calls with smartphones. Many comments on these articles have presented various theories about the reasons behind the mobile phone issues experienced by users in these regions. In response, Yle sought the opinions of experts from Traficom and Telia to clarify the situation and assess the validity of these claims.

According to Lasse Laine, Director of Digital Connections at Traficom, the shutdown of the 3G network has indeed caused local coverage issues in certain circumstances. He explained that while a significant portion of the frequencies freed up by this shutdown has been allocated to enhance the capacity and service quality of 4G and 5G networks, it is essential to acknowledge that these newer networks are already extensively deployed across Finland. He noted that there are multiple reasons for coverage problems beyond the discontinuation of 3G, suggesting the complexity of the mobile network infrastructure and user experience.

On the other hand, Jussi Setälä, Head of the Mobile Network Planning Unit at Telia, expressed surprise at the claims regarding coverage issues and emphasized the complexity of network services. He mentioned that it is often unclear which network a phone is currently connected to, which complicates diagnosing coverage problems. Setälä's insights underline the challenges both providers and users face in understanding mobile connectivity, especially in areas where service might not be as robust as expected.