Telephone services
Telephone services and subscription contracts
It is mainly Elisa Group, TeliaSonera Finland Oyj and DNA Palvelut Oy who provide fixed-line telephone services for households in Finland. These companies are also the country's biggest mobile operators. In addition, local telephone operators provide fixed-line telephone connections in their own operating areas. Subscription contracts are always made in writing with the telephone operator.
Technological development renews telephone services. Voice over Internet protocol services (VoIP) are a growing fixed-line telecom service in the market. The market also provides software applications, which allow users to make calls over the internet.
Practically the entire Finland is covered by a GSM mobile network and the coverage area of the 3G network expands continuously. Check up-to-date information on mobile coverage areas from the operators' websites. Buyer's guide and 3G guidelines (PDF), both in Finnish, provide additional information on mobile telephone services in the market.
Subscription contracts are made in writing
Telephone subscription contracts must be made in writing. It is also possible, on certain conditions, to make the contract in an electronic form on the operator's website. If the telecom operator is doubtful about the customer's ability to pay, it may charge a reasonable advance payment or security for the payments of the telephone subscription.
You can make a subscription contract for a fixed-term or it may be agreed to be valid until further notice. For example, subscription contracts made in conjunction with tied-in-sales are typically made for a fixed term of two years. Please note that normally, it is not possible to terminate a fixed-term contract before the agreed termination.
It is also possible to set a reasonable spend limit in euros on the subscription.
Suspension of subscription and termination of subscription contract
A telecom operator has, on certain conditions, the right to restrict the use of a telephone subscriber connection or to suspend it if the user has not paid the matured payment regarding the subscription. A telecom operator may cancel the telephone subscription contract one month after the subscription has been terminated unless an agreement has been reached on the payments.
The user may give notice of termination of a subscription contract orally. Users must wait at least two weeks before they can terminate a subscription contract that is valid until further notice. The telecom operator must send the user a written confirmation of the termination notice.
