DNA's 5G network coverage is set to expand in the Helsinki metropolitan area – ensuring reliable mobile connectivity even in exceptional circumstances

DNA’s 5G network coverage has been extended to Sipoo and Espoo. The 5G coverage in Vantaa has been also increased. The first 5G connections in Espoo are available in Tapiola and Otaniemi. In Sipoo, 5G is now available in Skräddarby, Kallbäck, Hangelby, Söderkulla, and Västerskog. In Vantaa, 5G connections are now available not only in Länsimäki, Nikinmäki, and Rajakylä, but also in Länsisalmi.

In Helsinki, the 5G network is now also available in Alppikylä, Tattarisuo, Vartioharju, Vartiokylä, Puotila and Kallahti. In addition to these new areas, 5G is already available in Punavuori, Kamppi, Ruoholahti, Ullanlinna, Kaartinkaupunki, Kaisaniemi, Kruununhaka, Kluuvi, Katajanokka, Siltasaari, Etu- and Taka-Töölö, Länsi-Pasila, Vuosaari and Keski-Vuosaari, Mellunmäki, Aurinkolahti, Kontula, Vesala, Metsälä, Länsi-Pakila, Paloheinä, Torpparinmäki, Tuomarinkartano, Landbo, and Östersundom.

Alongside the expanded 5G network coverage, DNA is also significantly increasing the capacity of its 4G network

“Construction of the 5G network has proceeded as planned, and DNA is also rapidly expanding the 5G network to additional areas in the Helsinki metropolitan area. At the same time, we are consolidating the 4G network in the area in preparation for future needs. And through our continuous network maintenance and development, we are ensuring the functionality and reliability of our connections despite the current exceptional circumstances", says Jarkko Laari, Director of Radio Networks at DNA.

Early in the year, DNA’s 5G network will expand to new areas in the Helsinki metropolitan area and to Oulu, Jyväskylä, Lahti, Kuopio, Vaasa, Hämeenlinna, Seinäjoki, Rauma, Pori, Heinola, Raisio, Rusko, Lieto, Nokia, Pirkkala, Ylöjärvi, and Lempäälä. DNA’s 5G services are currently available in Helsinki, Espoo, Sipoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku, and Hyvinkää.

Excellent network reliability despite the pandemic

DNA’s network has plenty of capacity even under normal circumstances, as our bandwidth is always determined by readings taken during the highest peak use periods. By the end of last week, DNA’s network was showing a clear increase in the number of call minutes and the amount of data use. The spike in remote working at the beginning of the week is also reflected in the amount of data used.

“Yesterday, during the government briefing, the volume of voice traffic on our 4G network was almost double the norm for a weekday evening. Many people were probably following the press conference and wanting to contact their friends and family. In practice, this meant an increase in traditional voice traffic rather than, say, that relayed via Internet voice communication services. At DNA, we are prepared for service usage peaks, and the readiness of our network is excellent,” Laari explains.

Due to the coronavirus, the management and monitoring of networks at DNA has been physically decentralised to different locations to ensure operational reliability even if the epidemic worsens. In addition, operations employees have been instructed to work remotely in order to avoid infecting each other. Other preparedness measures taken include the purchasing of spare parts for use in maintaining the network elements.