Building the broadband network provides a foundation for the services based on it (travelling, remote healthcare,distance education, and safety) as well as for the general development of information society services. Th ese servicescannot be implemented without the appropriate network platform.Th e goal of the project was to continue the construction of the broadband network built in Kainuu and its easternareas by building a connection between Suomussalmi–Vartius–Kuhmo and Suomussalmi–Kuusamo. Th esebroadband connections were intended to link the Vartius border crossing point to high-speed data connections andalso to improve the connections between the Vartius and Suoperä border crossing points with the investments beingmade in the Kuusamo direction. In addition, the project was to create prerequisites for the possible future direct dataconnection from Vartius to Kostomuksha. Achievements: The project was completed as planned. The goals regarding the scope of the building as well as the service capacity were met. With the Business environment development in the Arkhangelsk gateway (Town of Kuhmo) project implemented along with this project, the Kuhmo-Kostomuksha optical cable team was created, which worked towards promoting the connection. Permission to build the optical cable connection was finally received from the Russian Federation during March 2007.