Wireless Internet access will be available during PIMRC’06 at the event venue free of charge. You will need a laptop equipped with a WLAN (IEEE 802.11b compatible) card. The network may require you to set the SSID (network name) and WEP key manually within the wireless network configuration of your laptop. The required keys will be provided to you at registration. When using your own laptop in the Symposium network, users should take the appropriate precautions to insure network security of their computer, i.e. installing a firewall and an anti-virus software. Additionally, PCs will be available for Internet access in the “Internet room” (Room 14) on the 1st fl oor entrance hall. The provided PCs are equipped with most common software, e.g. web browsers (Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox), SSH client (most likely Putty), Adobe Reader and Microsoft Office. In the Internet Room you can also find some free table space with Ethernet cables to connect your laptop to the wired network (using DHCP).
In questions concerning the PIMRC’06 Technical Programme, please go to the Technical Programme Support Desk located next to the Registration and Information Desk.
Speakers may rehearse presentations in Speaker Preparation Rooms 28 and 29 located on the 2nd fl oor of the conference venue and indicated in the map of the venue. Both rooms are open from Tuesday 12 September until Thursday 14 September during the opening hours of the Registration Desk.
PIMRC Lounge is located in the 1st floor foyer of the Helsinki hall and meant as a relaxation area. Coffee will be served in the PIMRC Lounge during the coffee breaks as marked in the programme.
Chargeable copy and facsimile services are available at the Registration Desk.
Participants and accompanying persons are obliged to wear the official symposium name badge on all congress occasions. Additional fee will be charged for reproduction of lost name badges.
The official currency in Finland is euro (EUR). Traveller’s cheques can be cashed in banks and exchange bureaus. Most banks are open on Monday-Friday from 09.00 to 16.00.
The weather in Southern Finland in September is getting cooler after the summer, but may still be relatively warm at daytime. The average daytime temperature is between 10–15°C.
Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and shops. VISA, Eurocard and Mastercard are accepted at the symposium registration desk. Personal or company cheques will not be accepted at the registration desk or shops. The closest ATM is located some two blocks away from the venue.
Electricity supply in Finland is 220 volts (50 Hz) and wall outlets are to the Northern European Standard (CEE 7/4) with two round contacts. The standard two-pin Euro plug (CEE 7/16) can be connected to these outlets. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets for shavers.
The official language of the symposium will be English. No simultaneous interpretation will be arranged.
Lunch and coffee will be available at the symposium venue and are included in the symposium registration fee.
Public transport is easy to use in Helsinki, even if you're not familiar with the city. The line network is comprehensive and vehicles are in good condition.
The Finnish information society is quite unique. Did you know that…?
… high-speed and affordable broadband connections are becoming available to all Finns, including those living in remote areas. Already around 94 per cent of Finns are able to access broadband services through a fixed network.
…the Finnish Government has set the objective that by the end of 2007 Finland will become one of the international leaders in the use of high-speed telecommunications connections.
… it is the aim of the national broadband strategy that by the end of 2007, the most widespread connection speed would be 8 Mbps and 90 per cent of Internet connections would be broadband.
… the Finnish innovation system is one of the best in industrialised countries and IT is widely used at work in Finland. According to an OECD survey, e.g., Finnish companies lead in the number of Internet connections, followed by Sweden and Denmark.
… Finland is one of the top countries as regards the use of electronic services in public administration. A European level comparison in the field of social welfare and health indicates that general practitioners use electronic patient records most often in Denmark (98%) and Finland (95%).
… Finnish people have good confidence in the use of Internet services. As much as 90 per cent of Internet users consider on-line bank services secure.
Sources:
Information Society Council: Development of the Finnish information society scores high marks in international comparisons
Connection quality and content development new focal points in broadband policy
Saunas have existed in other cultures, but it is in Finland that they have become entwined in the national culture. In days gone by, they were the most practical place to wash during the long winters when there was no running hot water. You can still find people in Finland who were born in the sauna. Not when it was heated, of course, but it was a sterile place where hot water was available.
It is estimated that there are two million saunas in Finland, for a population of five million. Big companies and state institutions have their own saunas. The president has her official sauna, and so does the prime minister. They are to be found in city apartments and in country cottages.
You can find also a few of common saunas in Helsinki.
Most department stores and shops are open on Monday-Friday at 9-18 or even 9-21 and on Saturday at 9-16 or 9-18 depending on the shop.
Value added tax (VAT) of 22% is included in the prices listed in shops and restaurants.
Public telephones are available in certain public areas. However, due to large penetration of mobile phones the public phones are no longer available to large extent. Telephone is available practically in all hotel rooms.
The time zone in Finland is one hour ahead of Central European Time (CET) and two hours ahead of GMT.
All restaurant prices and taxi fares include service, but good service in the restaurant can be rewarded with a tip. Cloak-room attendants should be paid about 1,5 euros per coat. Tipping is at guests’ discretion in hotels.
