2024-06-122023/24:TU16 · p.9TUTransport & infrastructure
Access to Electronic Communication
Broadband and mobile coverage expansion nationwide
What's at stake: The decision affects how quickly sparsely populated and rural areas gain access to fast broadband and stable mobile coverage, which is critical for remote healthcare, education, business and basic public services outside cities, while binding coverage requirements would impose new obligations on operators.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the current pace of expansion and voluntary industry targets for broadband and mobile coverage are sufficient, or whether binding requirements should be imposed on operators - for instance reaching at least 90 percent of the country's area and 99 percent of the population as a licensing condition - to ensure fully built-out digital infrastructure within this decade.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee welcomes the fact that Sweden's broadband infrastructure is well developed by international comparison and that PTS estimates 98 percent of households and workplaces will have gigabit connectivity by 2025, and it welcomes the mandates and broadband funding that PTS already administers. The committee therefore sees no reason for the Riksdag to take the initiative for new binding coverage requirements beyond the ongoing efforts and the government's announced review of digitalisation policy.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 16 (C)
The reservation (C) calls for broader efforts on better mobile coverage, similar to the EU's roaming system, and for a licence to operate broadband and mobile networks to be tied to a requirement that operators build out the network to reach at least 90 percent of the country's area and 99 percent of the population, with the digital infrastructure fully built out before the end of the decade. The reasoning is that broadband and mobile coverage are absolutely critical for the economy, business, schools and healthcare - including remote care in rural areas - and that this requires binding requirements rather than the industry's own targets.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 16 by C.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | No | Abstain 0/0/91/15 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/15/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | explicit |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 58/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | No | Abstain 0/0/62/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2023/24:265 by Kjell-Arne Ottosson (KD), 2023/24:415 by Jimmy Ståhl and others (SD) demands 1, 2, 13 and 14, 2023/24:443 by Tobias Andersson and others (SD) demand 7, 2023/24:669 by Markus Selin (S) demands 1-4, 2023/24:1248 by Martina Johansson and Niels Paarup-Petersen (both C) demands 1-3, 2023/24:1827 by Monica Haider (S), 2023/24:2029 by Fredrik Lundh Sammeli and Linus Sköld (both S), 2023/24:2102 by Thomas Ragnarsson (M), 2023/24:2450 by Emma Berginger and others (MP) demand 25, 2023/24:2457 by Muharrem Demirok and others (C) demand 29, 2023/24:2493 by Christofer Bergenblock and others (C) demand 2, 2023/24:2626 by Gunilla Svantorp and others (S) demands 2 and 3, and 2023/24:2705 by Ulrika Westerlund and others (MP) demand 11.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2023/24:265 av Kjell-Arne Ottosson (KD), 2023/24:415 av Jimmy Ståhl m.fl. (SD) yrkandena 1, 2, 13 och 14, 2023/24:443 av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD) yrkande 7, 2023/24:669 av Markus Selin (S) yrkandena 1-4, 2023/24:1248 av Martina Johansson och Niels Paarup-Petersen (båda C) yrkandena 1-3, 2023/24:1827 av Monica Haider (S), 2023/24:2029 av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli och Linus Sköld (båda S), 2023/24:2102 av Thomas Ragnarsson (M), 2023/24:2450 av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP) yrkande 25, 2023/24:2457 av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C) yrkande 29, 2023/24:2493 av Christofer Bergenblock m.fl. (C) yrkande 2, 2023/24:2626 av Gunilla Svantorp m.fl. (S) yrkandena 2 och 3 samt 2023/24:2705 av Ulrika Westerlund m.fl. (MP) yrkande 11.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag approved a new law with supplementary provisions to those existing at the EU level. This concerns, among other things, oversight of companies that broker data and of natural and legal persons that further utilize protected data according to the EU's data governance regulation. The law enters into force on August 2, 2024. The Riksdag has also taken note of the Government's memorandum on the Swedish National Audit Office's report on digital services to private individuals and proposes that the Riksdag place it on record, that is, close the case. The Riksdag simultaneously rejected approximately 100 proposals on digitalization and postal matters in motions from the general motion period 2023. Primarily citing ongoing work and measures taken.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants authorities to design digital services with user involvement and Sweden to establish national standards for public data and APIs. (C) — Reservation 16
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The election manifesto states that the expansion of fiber is going far too slowly and that the state needs to take greater responsibility for it, and the party programme wants to strengthen collective ownership in infrastructure.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto states that the expansion of fiber is going far too slowly and that the state needs to take greater responsibility for it, and the party programme wants to strengthen collective ownership in infrastructure. The counter-proposal's requirement for binding coverage requirements in network licenses and fully developed digital infrastructure by the end of the decade follows that line, while voluntary industry targets do the opposite. The plan also speaks for welfare and services to function throughout the country.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att utbyggnaden av fiber går alldeles för sakta och att staten behöver ta ett större ansvar för den, och partiprogrammet vill stärka det gemensamma ägandet i infrastrukturen. Motförslagets krav på bindande täckningskrav i nätlicenserna och fullt utbyggd digital infrastruktur före decenniets slut följer den linjen, medan frivilliga branschmål gör det motsatta. Planen talar också för att välfärd och service ska fungera i hela landet.
- state responsibility for fiber expansiondecisive»Utbyggnaden av transportinfrastruktur och fiber går alldeles för sakta, staten behöver gå in och ta ett större ansvar för utbyggnaden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The expansion of transport infrastructure and fiber is going far too slowly, the state needs to step in and take greater responsibility for the expansion.”
- collective ownership in infrastructure»strategiska naturtillgångar, energiförsörjning, infrastruktur, bostadsproduktion och den finansiella sektorn.« (party programme ↗)“strategic natural resources, energy supply, infrastructure, housing production, and the financial sector.”
- services throughout the country»Välfärden måste vara till för alla och finnas överallt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Welfare must be for all and exist everywhere.”
- social demands on privatized infrastructure»Det är hög tid att agera och ta tillbaka den samhällsviktiga verksamhet och infrastruktur som har privatiserats.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is high time to act and take back the socially important activities and infrastructure that have been privatized.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme makes well-functioning communications systems throughout the country a prerequisite for regionally balanced growth, and the election manifesto promises that the state shall be present throughout the country.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme makes well-functioning communications systems throughout the country a prerequisite for regionally balanced growth, and the election manifesto promises that the state shall be present throughout the country. Binding coverage requirements on operators is one way to realize this where the market does not reach. The plan therefore speaks for the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet gör väl fungerande kommunikationssystem i hela landet till en förutsättning för regionalt balanserad tillväxt, och valmanifestet lovar att staten ska finnas närvarande i hela landet. Bindande täckningskrav på operatörerna är ett sätt att förverkliga detta där marknaden inte når fram. Planen talar därför för motförslagets krav.
- communications throughout the countrydecisive»Väl fungerande transport- och kommunikationssystem i hela landet är« (party programme ↗)“Well-functioning transport and communications systems throughout the country are”
- state presence throughout the country»Staten ska finnas närvarande i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The state shall be present throughout the country.”
- infrastructure for business»Ett framgångsrikt näringsliv kräver en väl fungerande infrastruktur.« (party programme ↗)“A successful economy requires well-functioning infrastructure.”
- investment in digitalization»Vi vill satsa på grön teknik, digitalisering och utbildning så att företagsklimatet stärks och kompetensförsörjningen förbättras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to invest in green technology, digitalization and education so that the business climate is strengthened and skills supply is improved.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme establishes that post and telecommunications of good quality shall be available across Sweden and that this is society's responsibility, and that broadband expansion is crucial for a living countryside.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that post and telecommunications of good quality shall be available across Sweden and that this is society's responsibility, and that broadband expansion is crucial for a living countryside. Binding coverage requirements on operators is a way to realize that responsibility. The plan therefore supports the demand, even though it does not comment on licence terms.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att post och telekommunikation av god kvalitet ska finnas tillgänglig över hela Sverige och att detta är samhällets ansvar, samt att bredbandsutbyggnad är avgörande för en levande landsbygd. Bindande täckningskrav på operatörerna är ett sätt att förverkliga det ansvaret. Planen stöder därför kravet, även om den inte uttalar sig om licensvillkor.
- telecommunications across the country, society's responsibilitydecisive»Post och telekommunikation, inklusive fast telefoni, av god kvalitet och till rimligt pris behöver också finnas tillgänglig över hela Sverige. Detta ska vara samhällets ansvar.« (party programme ↗)“Post and telecommunications, including fixed telephony, of good quality and at reasonable price also need to be available across Sweden. This shall be society's responsibility.”
- broadband for the countryside»Bredbandsutbyggnad är av avgörande betydelse för en levande landsbygd.« (party programme ↗)“Broadband expansion is of crucial importance for a living countryside.”
- internet access strengthens empowerment»Miljöpartiet ser en fri och oövervakad tillgång till internet som ett viktigt medel för att stärka människors egenmakt i alla länder.« (party programme ↗)“The Greens see free and unmonitored access to the internet as an important means to strengthen people's empowerment in all countries.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The manifesto explicitly promises that everyone shall have access to broadband, mobile telephony and internet throughout the country and that mobile coverage shall be strengthened.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The manifesto explicitly promises that everyone shall have access to broadband, mobile telephony and internet throughout the country and that mobile coverage shall be strengthened. The counter-proposal's demands for full digital infrastructure and sharp coverage requirements directly answer that commitment and the promise of reliable infrastructure in rural areas. That the requirements are binding conditions for the operators is a regulatory element the plan does not take a stand on, which dampens certainty somewhat.
Original (Swedish)
Manifestet lovar uttryckligen att alla ska ha tillgång till bredband, mobiltelefoni och surf i hela landet och att mobiltäckningen ska stärkas. Motförslagets krav på full digital infrastruktur och skarpa täckningskrav svarar direkt mot det åtagandet och mot löftet om pålitlig infrastruktur på landsbygden. Att kraven är bindande villkor för operatörerna är ett regleringsinslag som planen inte tar ställning till, vilket dämpar säkerheten något.
- broadband and mobile coverage everywheredecisive»Alla ska ha tillgång till bredband, mobiltelefoni och surf i hela landet. Vi vill fortsätta bygga ut bredbandet och stärka mobiltäckningen i hela landet, inklusive på tågen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Everyone shall have access to broadband, mobile telephony and internet throughout the country. We want to continue to expand broadband and strengthen mobile coverage throughout the country, including on trains.”
- reliable infrastructure throughout the country»Hela landet ska ha tillgång till en pålitlig infrastruktur, snabbt bredband och pålitlig mobiltäckning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The whole country shall have access to reliable infrastructure, fast broadband and reliable mobile coverage.”
- digitalization on equal terms»Digitalisering på lika villkor, oavsett var man bor, är en förutsättning för demokrati och möjliggör decentralisering.« (party programme ↗)“Digitalization on equal terms, regardless of where one lives, is a prerequisite for democracy and enables decentralization.”
- equivalent public service»Offentlig service ska vara nära och pålitlig i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Public service shall be near and reliable throughout the country.”
The plan establishes that Sweden shall be a leader in IT infrastructure and that the state shall, when necessary, co-finance expansion where costs are high, that is outside cities.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Sweden shall be a leader in IT infrastructure and that the state shall, when necessary, co-finance expansion where costs are high, that is outside cities. The counter-proposal's demand for full expansion of digital infrastructure and high coverage throughout the country aligns with that goal and with the demand for functioning service everywhere. However, the plan chooses co-financing rather than binding coverage requirements as the tool, which is why the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige ska vara en föregångare vad gäller IT-infrastruktur och att staten vid behov ska medfinansiera utbyggnaden där kostnaderna är höga, det vill säga utanför städerna. Motförslagets krav på full utbyggnad av digital infrastruktur och hög täckning i hela landet ligger i linje med det målet och med kravet på fungerande service överallt. Planen väljer dock medfinansiering snarare än bindande täckningskrav som verktyg, varför slutsatsen är härledd.
- leader in IT infrastructuredecisive»Sverige ska vara en föregångare vad gäller IT-infrastruktur.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a leader in IT infrastructure.”
- state co-financing in rural areas»utbyggnadskostnader i dessa områden, ska staten vid behov medfinansiera denna utbyggnad.« (party programme ↗)“expansion costs in these areas, the state shall, when necessary, co-finance this expansion.”
- functioning service throughout the country»Vägnätet ska fungera och statliga myndigheter ska finnas närvarande i alla delar av Sverige.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The road network shall function and state authorities shall be present in all parts of Sweden.”
- communications throughout the country»Tillgången till posttjänster måste fungera i hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“Access to postal services must function throughout the country.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto promises that all of Sweden shall function and that public services shall not become more remote, and the party programme makes reliable electronic communications a prerequisite for regional balance with an active regional policy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto promises that all of Sweden shall function and that public services shall not become more remote, and the party programme makes reliable electronic communications a prerequisite for regional balance with an active regional policy. Binding coverage requirements are a means for precisely this, not least for distance care and enterprise outside cities. Therefore the plan supports the demand.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet lovar att hela Sverige ska fungera och att samhällsservice inte ska hamna längre bort, och principprogrammet gör tillförlitliga elektroniska kommunikationer till en förutsättning för regional balans med en aktiv regionalpolitik. Bindande täckningskrav är ett medel för just detta, inte minst för distansvård och företagande utanför städerna. Därför stöder planen kravet.
- all of the country shall functiondecisive»Hela Sverige ska fungera och det ska gå att bo och verka även utanför de stora städerna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“All of Sweden shall function and it should be possible to live and work even outside the major cities.”
- reliable electronic communications»tillförlitliga elektroniska kommunikationer med hög prestanda« (party programme ↗)“reliable electronic communications with high performance”
- active regional policy»Därför krävs en aktiv regionalpolitik.« (party programme ↗)“Therefore an active regional policy is required.”
- public services throughout the country»Fler poliser med lokal närvaro, utbyggd primärvård, enklare starta lokal läkarmottagning och inrätta fler statliga servicekontor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More police with local presence, expanded primary care, easier to start a local medical clinic and establish more state service offices.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan explicitly commits to classify broadband as national infrastructure and prioritize accordingly, and states that mobile coverage everywhere shall be self-evident.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly commits to classify broadband as national infrastructure and prioritize accordingly, and states that mobile coverage everywhere shall be self-evident. The counter-proposal demands precisely better coverage throughout the country, with requirements linked to network licences. The factual demand coincides with the plan's commitment, even though the plan does not take a position on licence terms as an instrument.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig uttryckligen att klassa bredband som nationell infrastruktur och prioritera därefter, och slår fast att mobiltäckning överallt ska vara en självklarhet. Motförslaget kräver just bättre täckning i hela landet, med krav kopplade till nätlicenserna. Sakkravet sammanfaller med planens åtagande, även om planen inte tar ställning till licensvillkor som instrument.
- broadband as national infrastructuredecisive»Klassa bredband som nationell infrastruktur och prioritera därefter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Classify broadband as national infrastructure and prioritize accordingly”
- mobile coverage throughout the country»Mobiltäckning överallt ska vara en självklarhet, liksom vetskapen om att polisen kommer när du ringer oavsett var du bor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Mobile coverage everywhere shall be self-evident, just as knowing that police will come when you call regardless of where you live.”
- broadband for business»Företagande ska underlättas i hela Sverige genom bättre tillgång till bredband.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Business operations shall be facilitated throughout Sweden through better access to broadband.”
- broadband for healthcare and work»Bredband måste finnas så att alla har samma möjligheter att koppla upp sig mot en vårdcentral eller att jobba hemifrån.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Broadband must be available so that everyone has equal opportunities to connect to a health centre or work from home.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The platform explicitly states that the countryside is lagging in broadband expansion and mobile coverage and commits to building out broadband and telephony throughout the country.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The platform explicitly states that the countryside is lagging in broadband expansion and mobile coverage and commits to building out broadband and telephony throughout the country. The counter-proposal's demand for coverage requirements for operators and fully expanded digital infrastructure responds directly to this commitment. The plan's reasoning is the same as the counter-proposal's: people and businesses should be able to live and work throughout the country.
Original (Swedish)
Valplattformen konstaterar uttryckligen att landsbygden halkar efter i bredbandsutbyggnad och mobiltäckning och åtar sig att bygga ut bredband och telefoni i hela landet. Motförslagets krav på täckningskrav för operatörerna och fullt utbyggd digital infrastruktur svarar direkt mot detta åtagande. Planens skäl är detsamma som motförslagets: människor och företag ska kunna leva och verka i hela landet.
- neglected coverage in remote areasdecisive»Sverigedemokraterna ser med oro på hur landsbygden halkar efter i bredbandsutbyggnaden, men även mobiltäckningen och postutdelningen är sämre i glesbygden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Sweden Democrats see with concern how the countryside is lagging in broadband expansion, but mobile coverage and postal delivery are also worse in remote areas.”
- expanded digital infrastructure»Satsa på utbyggnad av bredband och telefoni i hela landet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Invest in broadband and telephone expansion throughout the country”
- living throughout the country»Människor ska kunna leva i hela landet och ta sig till sina arbeten snabbt och säkert.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“People should be able to live throughout the country and get to their work quickly and safely.”
- policy for all of Sweden»Bedriva en politik för hela Sverige« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Conduct policy for all of Sweden”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:TU16)
- Committee report full text (HB01TU16)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1006 — Personer som har förmyndare och utestängs från bank-id av Caroline Helmersson Olsson (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1248 — Fiber i hela landet av Martina Johansson och Niels Paarup-Petersen (båda C)
- Motion 2023/24:1335 — Ett statligt bank-id av Denis Begic (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1337 — Utredning för att förbättra Sveriges AI-kompetens av Denis Begic (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1516 — Tillgängliggörande av digitaliseringens fördelar för individer med funktionsnedsättning av Jessica Rodén (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1543 — Uppdatering av Sveriges AI-strategi av Joakim Järrebring (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1683 — Skyldighet för mobil- och teleoperatörer att samverka med rättsvårdande myndigheter av Eric Westroth (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1786 — Öppna offentliga data av Rickard Nordin (C)
- Motion 2023/24:1827 — Förbättrad mobiltäckning av Monica Haider (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1846 — En grön och rättvis omställning i Västsverige av Joakim Järrebring m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1914 — Tillgänglighet för äldre av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1927 — Uppdatering av Sveriges AI-strategi av Adrian Magnusson och Amalia Rud Pedersen (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1928 — En säker e-legitimation under statlig kontroll av Adrian Magnusson och Amalia Rud Pedersen (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:2029 — Samhällsmaster och uppkoppling som statlig angelägenhet av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli och Linus Sköld (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:2071 — Inkludering av döva, blinda och dövblinda av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2102 — En fungerande telekommunikation i hela landet av Thomas Ragnarsson (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2450 — En förstärkning av det civila försvaret och krisberedskapen av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:2455 — Digitalisering för hela Sverige av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2457 — Livskraft och framtidstro i Sveriges landsbygder av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2465 — Hållbara och tillgängliga transporter för hela landet av Ulrika Heie m.fl. (C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament