Minister Ranne: Launch of location data service postponed

Minister of Transport, Communications and the Interior Lulu Ranne has called for the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom to interrupt the process to introduce the location data service prepared by Traficom.

“For the time being, Traficom will not launch the location data service it has prepared. Due to the comprehensive security situation, Traficom will review the functionalities and implementation model of the service and alternative solutions together with the security authorities,” Minister Ranne says.

Location data service is an online service provided by Traficom that would contain the location data of the active components of communication networks, submitted by the network operators. Private individuals and organisations that need such data could request them from the service. At present, data related to the location survey of cables are scattered in many different sources.

The aim of the location data service is to facilitate and accelerate the construction of communication networks, prevent faults and disruptions caused by excavation and improve the information security of networks. The service was to be opened for production use in October 2024 and for those conducting location surveys in spring 2025.

What’s next?

Traficom will assess the information security of the present system and the implementation of the location data service in more detail together with the security authorities.

Inquiries:

Requests for interviews with Minister of Transport, Communications and the Interior Lulu Ranne:

Tuomas Sorsa, Special Adviser, tuomas.sorsa(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 012

Inquiries on the location data service:

Emil Asp, Director General, emil.asp(at)traficom.fi, tel. +358 295 345 657 (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom)