Customers entitled to an easy and instant service to check the duration of fixed-term subscriptions – Administrative Court rejected DNA’s appeal

As from the beginning of this year, consumers have been able to check the duration of their fixed-term mobile subscription contracts 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. Consumers can use the service, for example, if they receive an offer from another telecommunications operator and consider changing service providers. 

The Administrative Court rejected DNA’s appeal – DNA must fix its service to comply with law by 31 July 2022

“The purpose of the service for checking contract details is to promote competition by giving all consumers an easy and quick way to check the duration of their current contracts free of charge. All consumers must have an equal opportunity to use the service,” says Deputy Director-General Jenni Eskola.

DNA has required its consumers to give separate consent to allow the service. This means that DNA’s customers cannot use the service before approving it. Traficom required the company to change the practice by 2 March 2022 and issued a notice of a conditional fine to the company to enforce the obligation.

DNA appealed against the requirement to the Administrative Court. The Administrative Court has now rejected DNA’s appeal. The company must implement the service in compliance with the law by 31 July 2022. DNA may appeal against the Administrative Court's decision if the Supreme Administrative Court grants the company a leave to appeal.

Traficom supervises that telecommunications operators provide the service as required by the law.