Telephone Operators & Services in Finland

Police and Emergency Services: Phone 112
Directory Enquiries: Phone 118
General Enquiries: Phone 020202 Timetables, route guidance, weather & more!

• Mobile / Cell Phones & Accounts in Finland
• Prepaid Mobile & Data Services
• Finnish Networks / Operators
• International Calls via Internet
• International Calls from Finland
• International Country Codes
• Landlines: Unavailable in Finland
• Related Links

Please note: any information on charges and prices given on this page is subject to change.

Mobile / Cell Phones & Accounts in Finland

Accounts: Getting Connected
There may be a small set-up fee for a mobile phone account, but if you don't have a Finnish credit history you may also need to pay a deposit to open a mobile phone line. The deposit can be substantial but is fully refundable when either you cancel the service or the 'trial period' of up to 2 years is over. Alternatively, when you first arrive in Finland a prepaid service can be the quickest and cheapest way to get set up.

Landlines were consigned to history long ago in Finland, and are no longer available.

Mobile services, including broadband, are reasonably priced. Rates for all services can vary significantly between operators, so shop around for the best deal and look at packages and the special offers.

You can usually arrange a telephone line over the phone; the SIM cards will be posted to you.
Get connected: call a Mobile Phone Operator

Buying a Phone
'Phone' is puhelin in Finnish. 'Mobile / cell phone' is matkapuhelin, kännykkä, känny, or käsipuhelin. 'Smartphone' is älypuhelin.
If you need a phone:

• Finland's mobile phone operators offer service packages including phones, but you can also buy a phone and set up a subscription separately.
• You can buy phones from numerous retailers; even R-kioskis sell them occasionally, packaged with prepaid calling cards.
• In 2023 new phones start from about €50, but you can pay over €2000 - yikes! - for a top model smartphone.
• If money's tight, ask Finnish friends or acquaintances if they have an old phone you can buy. Many people have spare phones from past upgrades
• Good value second-hand phones can be found at Tori.fi and Huuto.net, both reliable 'online flea markets' (you can buy almost anything second-hand at these sites). Search for puhelimet, there will be loads of phones listed.
• Second-hand Apple products - phones, tablets, laptops, computers etc - can be found at Hopeinen Omena (Silver Apple). A great, reliable market. Registration (free) required to engage in transactions.

Prepaid Mobile & Data Services in Finland

Prepaid packages are an easy way to get started with a Finnish mobile phone service, and a deposit is not required when setting up prepaid services. Pricing is reasonable and services include Internet access.

Prepaid subscriptions can be purchased from numerous outlets as well as online. Buy a package, install the supplied SIM card, key in the codes provided and start using your phone. Your new phone number is included with the package. You will be alerted when your airtime is running out, and can then 'top up' the subscription from a dealer or online.

Finnish Phone Carriers & Operators

Finland's major mobile operators are Elisa Saunalahti, DNA, and Telia.

Other Operators
Globetel globetel.fi
Lounea lounea.fi
Telia telia.fi
DNA dna.fi

The telecoms market changes often and there are many small regional operators as well as MVNO's (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) using the wireless network infrastructure of other mobile network operators. See the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency for a full listing of communications services suppliers and their official prices (special offers not included):
traficom.fi/en/ > Communications > Broadband and Telephone

International Calls via the Net

VoIP means "Voice over Internet Protocol" - using the Internet to relay your phone call.
Free calls can be made between devices which both use a VoIP app or software client such as WhatsApp or Skype. Services are available on a wide range of platforms including computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming platforms, and smart TVs.
Cheap calls can be made with VoIP to landline and mobile phone numbers; using VoIP can save about 95% of the cost of calling an international phone number.

Most services for Internet calls work on the same procedure:

1. Download and register with the software (app / client) as required
2. Buy 'phone time' if necessary
3. Make the call

WhatsApp is a very popular free calling app for smartphones. Make voice calls, one-to-one video calls, and send text messages, attachments and more.
Whatsapp web allows you to use WhatsApp from your desktop web browser.
Whatsapp: whatsapp.com

Skype started in 2003 and was the leader in VoIP, but it's disappearing these days. It's free, works well and is easy to download and install. Skype works on numerous devices and apart from VoIP calling, allows video conferencing, file transfers, messaging and more.
Skype: skype.com

Competing Services
Depending on your needs the following services may be preferable:

• Linphone: linphone.org
• Viber: viber.com
• Vyke: vyke.com

International Calls from Finland: Switching Operators

When using your mobile for international calls, you can choose which operator you would like to handle individual calls. Operators' rates per minute vary dramatically. Not only that but one operator may have cheap rates to one country while their rates to another country are comparatively high. Check the operators above for their rates to various countries; you may find one that will allow you to "phone home" cheap! Please note that you have to add the local network charge to the prices given on the Web pages. Sometimes the prices are shown without the 24% sales tax (ALV).

To call with a different operator: Normally when making an international call from a mobile you key the + sign first; this simply specifies that the call will be placed through your regular operator. Instead, key in the prefix of the operator you want to handle the call*, then the country code, area code and phone number as usual.
Ex: 999 (Elisa prefix) 61 (country code) 2 (area code) 9234 5678 (number)
Finnish Operator Prefixes > Ulkomaanpuhelun operaattoritunnukset Suomessa
*Some operators require you to register - check their sites for details

Landline / Fixed Phone Services in Finland

Too late! It is no longer possible to obtain a landline in Finland.
Batman and Commissioner Gordon won't be moving here.

Related Links
Links to other sites are direct to the relevant page, where possible

• Kukasoitti: Who called? Free online identification service for Finnish phone numbers. Information for numbers known to be telemarketers appears in red. Enter the unknown number in the search box (Kirjoita puhelinnumero tähän esim. 0401234567) and click HAE.
• Traficom: Finnish Transport and Communications Agency
  The Traficom site provides detailed technical, legal and consumer information about all forms of regulated communications in Finland. The main sections of interest are Internet & Telephone, TV & Radio, Post, and Information Security.
  Internet & Telephone: Acquisition, use, availability and functionality of telephone and broadband services. Includes .fi domain name info.
  TV & Radio: Operations and networks, receiving TV broadcasts, radio programmes
  Post: Postal market and service, consumer rights, problems & disputes
  Information Security: Security and confidentiality of electronic communications. Articles, alerts and vulnerability advisories
  traficom.fi  En, Fi, Sw

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