Finnish mobile operators should cut interconnection fees – regulator

HELSINKI (AFX) – Ficora, the Finnish communications regulator, has called on Finland’s three largest mobile network operators, Sonera, Elisa and DNA to lower their interconnection fees.

It also called for the variation between their interconnection fees to be made smaller.

“The fees are high when compared to the cost required to produce the service,” Ficora said in a press release.

“Mobile telecoms traffic is growing, accordingly unit prices should be going down.”

Elisa has already reached an agreement with TeliaSonera, Sonera’s parent, about new mobile interconnection fees in Finland.

Both companies have been pressing for the differences in fees charged by operators to be narrowed.

From Jan 1, 2007, TeliaSonera Finland will collect mobile interconnection fees of 6.6 cents/minute (previously 6.8), while the interconnection fee of Elisa’s mobile networks will fall to 7.25 cents from 8.4.

“We are happy to see Ficora take a stance,” Elisa’s Kari Partanen told AFX News.

Noone from DNA or TeliaSonera was available for immediate comment.

Source- http://www.iii.co.uk