Upload speeds take centre stage as Finns generate more data
Elisa has rolled out what it describes as the world's inaugural 5.5G (also known as 5G Advanced) service for home broadband users, with the network going live in the Helsinki region in late February. The rollout will extend to mobile phone plans and business connectivity during the spring months.
The Finnish carrier points to changing usage patterns, noting that residents are transmitting substantially more content than before. The 5.5G infrastructure delivers significantly higher upload capacity alongside improved download performance. Historically, network upgrades have centred on download velocity, yet the proliferation of social platforms, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence applications has fundamentally altered traffic patterns toward greater upstream demand.
Kalle Lehtinen, Chief Technology Officer at Elisa, remarks: "One significant driver for 5.5G is the increase in use of AI, which has increased the amount of upstream data transfer in the network. It's important that in Finland, we can be the first to learn about the features of new technologies and bring their benefits to our customers"
Laura Soikkeli, who leads Elisa's Home Connections division, characterizes the advancement as transformative: "For ordinary internet users, this is the most significant development step since 5G first arrived."
She elaborates on practical benefits: "Customers really notice the difference when they work from home: 5.5G connections mean improvements in video meeting performance and large file transfers. Smart home devices are also more reliable, and we may see developments such as services that support older people in remaining in their own homes."
Phased expansion across major cities and service categories
The 5.5G footprint and associated subscription offerings will expand incrementally. The network currently covers the Helsinki metropolitan area alongside Tampere and Jyväskylä. Service categories will broaden in parallel with geographic reach.
During spring, Elisa intends to introduce 5.5G mobile phone subscriptions alongside offerings targeting office environments and distributed workforces. Accessing 5.5G requires both a compatible subscription and appropriate hardware—either a smartphone or router. The market for 5.5G-enabled devices is anticipated to expand substantially over coming years.
Building on earlier 5G milestones
Elisa established the first commercially operational 5G network globally and marketed the Nordic region's inaugural 5G handset in 2019, delivering download speeds reaching 1 Gbit/s. The operator became the first to offer Finnish users 5G standalone subscriptions (5G+) and residential broadband (Omakaista) at the beginning of 2024.
