There are three MNOs in one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe - DNA, Elisa and Telia Finland. Elisa has the highest market share, sitting at around 39%. Telia Finland is the second MNO in the market with approximately 31% share, but it has seen its share decline from 34% as DNA adds customers. In addition to expanding 5G coverage, Telia and Elisa are working with Eltel on the construction of FTTH infrastructure.
DNA, which is wholly owned by Telenor, is the country’s third mobile operator with approximately 30% market share. Telenor acquired a majority stake of 54% in the MNO in April 2019 for €1.9bn and later in the year increased its share to 94.3%.
DNA and Telia have a JV called Suomen Yhteisverkko (Finnish shared network) which manages, designs and maintains the mobile network in Northern and Eastern Finland. DNA owns 49% in Suomen Yhteisverkko and Telia Finland owns 51%, with both sharing spectrum as well as sites.
Finland - telecom tower market Q3 2024
Digita is Finland’s “oldest” towerco which also owns and operates a digital terrestrial television and radio broadcasting tower network. Founded in 1999 as a spin-off from national broadcaster Yle, it was acquired by DigitalBridge in 2019 alongside 556 towers for an undisclosed amount.
Telia Towers Finland was carved out just after Sweden-headquartered Telia announced it was exploring the potential monetisation of its tower portfolio back in their Q4 2020 results. Telia Towers Finland manages only macro towers with single tenanted rooftop sites and stakes in joint ventures remaining outside of the towerco’s perimeter.
DNA Tower, the youngest towerco in Finland, was formed in 2022 and is wholly owned by DNA.
Finland - estimated tower count Q3 2024
Finland is the first country in Europe where the concept of using telecom infrastructure as a virtual power plant - supplying renewable energy generated onsite, storing it and sending it back to the country’s electricity grid as well as grid balancing – is implemented. Initially developed and operated by Elisa, it is now being adopted by DNA Tower on some of its sites.
