19 October, 2006
Fonecta to introduce a new alternative to the Finnish search engine market

Fonecta will launch a new Internet search engine that specializes in finding relevant Finnish websites for the user. The service is based on the www.fi search engine that Fonecta purchased from TeliaSonera Finland last December. The new service will also be located at www.fi but it has been completely revamped. It produces swift and accurate results contents. The service will be launched on 19 October.

“The new www.fi is the best address for the Finns to find all local information. Finding local information is an important selection criterion for a Finnish consumer. Www.fi produces up-to-date, relevant and direct results both from Finnish websites and special contents,” says Ville Sarja, Business Director with Fonecta Ltd.

60% of Finns use more than one search engine

Research into the habits of Finns as search engine users was conducted this autumn by TNS Gallup, commissioned by Fonecta. According to the results, 39% of weekly Internet users between 15 and 65 years of age search almost exclusively for information in Finnish; furthermore, 35% conduct half of their searches in Finnish material. The main selection criteria for a search engine appeared to be habit and its ease of use. However, Finns rarely stay loyal to their primary search engines but often test alternative search services. Subsequently, 60% of Finns use more than one search service.

Besides automated data collection, www.fi complements search results on the basis of local knowledge. The service employs a content team that follows current Finnish matters in real time and converts all collected data into accurate search results.

“The content of the service is updated both automatically and based on the team's daily observations. The content team uses advanced search methods that have been refined on the basis of the experience gained in the development of the service. The team and the methods are backed up by FAST technology and TietoEnator's quality assurance, test methods and tools,” Sarja says.

The usability of www.fi has also been crucial. The service boasts features such as predictive text input, which suggests suitable search words, and navigators for more advanced searches.

“www.fi also provides extra services including news, images and company searches as well as a link library and searches abroad. The development of the service is still is still    at early stages ; only a small portion of its potential has been exploited. We will introduce new features through customer feedback and usability tests to make everyone's life easier," says Jukka Tukiainen, Development Manager with Fonecta Ltd.

Fonecta's long-term goal is to make www.fi the number one search engine in Finland.

Go to www.fi search engine >

Further information:

Fonecta Ltd, Business Director Ville Sarja, tel. +358 (0)40 836 3719

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