Amendment to the Spectrum Decree, national radio network to be released from YLE Puhe

The Government issued a decree amending the Government Decree on Radio Spectrum Usage and Frequency Allocation Plan, i.e. Spectrum Decree. The amendment will release a national radio network from YLE Puhe (YLE Talk).

The Decree will be amended, because the Administrative Council of the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, has decided to close down the YLE Puhe radio channel on the FM wavelength. As a result, the national radio network reserved for YLE Puhe will be released for the use of other radio broadcasting operators.

Under the Spectrum Decree, there are five national, one partly national and two regional and local radio networks reserved to YLE for performing its public service duties. The radio network to be released from YLE Puhe is national. There will be no changes to other YLE radio networks.

What's next?

The decree is scheduled to enter into force on 8 January 2024. The last day of broadcasting for the channel will be 7 January 2024.

The Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and the Ministry of Transport and Communications will assess how the spectrum of the national network should be arranged and opened for licence applications. A round of applications for programme licences will require an amendment to a Traficom regulation.

Once the network spectrum has been released, Traficom will invite applications for radio programme licences. Currently, it seems that the licences will be opened for applications early 2024.

Inquiries:

Roosa Patrakka, Senior Officer, roosa.patrakka(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 192 (not available on 27 October 2023)

Sini Wirén, Director of Unit, sini.wiren(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 532