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Consumers can check the validity of their mobile subscriptions via SMS – new service introduced at the beginning of 2022

From the beginning of 2022, consumers can check the end date of a fixed-term mobile subscription contract via a text message (SMS). The purpose of the service is to promote competition by giving consumers an easy and quick way to check the duration of their current contracts. All telecommunications operators that offer mobile network services to consumers will provide the new service. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has promoted the introduction of the new service together with telecommunications operators.

From the beginning of 2022, consumers can check the end date of a fixed-term mobile subscription contract via a text message. This can be done by sending the message ‘SOPIMUS’ (or ‘ABONNEMANG’ in Swedish) to the number 18321 . The service will immediately send a response with the end date of the fixed-term contract in question. If the consumer has a rolling contract that is valid for an indefinite period, the response sent by the service will inform the consumer of this.

Consumers can use the service, for example, if they receive an offer from another telecommunications operator and consider changing service providers. The service may also help avoid problems that have occurred when porting a number to a new telecommunications operator. The porting of a number often fails because the new telecommunications operator receives incorrect information about the end date of the previous contract. 

All telecommunications operators that offer mobile network services support the new service. "We are happy that consumers for the first time have access to a service where they can easily check the end date of their fixed-term subscription contracts. The service has been developed in collaboration with telecommunications operatorsThe purpose of the service is to promote competition by giving consumers an easy and quick way to check when their fixed-term contracts end,” says Senior Specialist Timo Murto

Traficom steers and monitors the implementation of the service

The service is based on the Act on Electronic Communications Services and a technical regulation issued by Traficom. Telecommunications operators have the obligation to provide consumers with the possibility to check the end date of a fixed-term mobile subscription contract. This service must be free of charge and easy to use, and it must be implemented via a method widely used by customers. An SMS-based technology is currently considered to be the best way to meet the requirement of user-friendliness. Telecommunications operators must regularly report to Traficom about the service as Traficom is responsible for monitoring its implementation. 

More information

Act on Electronic Communications Services 917/2014 (External link) (section 109, subsection 5; in Finnish)  

Traficom Regulation 46 on telephone number portability (External link) (section 13; in Finnish)   

Sari Tujunen, Legal Counsel, tel. +358 29 539 0336, sari.tujunen@traficom.fi

Timo Murto, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 29 539 0508, timo.murto@traficom.fi (as from 10 January 2022)

According to the information Traficom has received, some telecommunications operators require customer consent before customers can begin using the service and receive a message with details about the validity of their subscription contracts. Traficom is looking into the matter with telecommunications operators.