International Calls, Telephone Services & Networks in Finland

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Mobile VoIP - International Calls at Local Rates
Mobile / Cell Phones in Finland
Landline / Fixed Phone Services
Finnish Telephone Networks / Operators
Prepaid Mobile Services
International Calls from Finland
Calling on the Internet
International Country Codes

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

Mobile VoIP - International Calls at Local Rates

Mobile VoIP is an application of VoIP (technologies allowing Voice communications Over the Internet) that allows you to connect to a VoIP network via your mobile phone and make international calls, using a third party provider for the international leg of the call. Savings are typically 90% or more... Expat phone home!

A highly recommended VoIP service provider, which provides cheap international calling rates, is Rebtel. Founded in 2006 in Sweden, Rebtel is an award-winning Mobile VoIP provider. Its technology allows you to make mobile-mobile and mobile-land line international calls, and works by creating local land line numbers in both the country of origin and country of destination, and routing the international part of the call over VoIP. For the user, this means only being charged for the cost of a local call, not the expensive international part.

Unlike similar providers offering calls over VoIP, calls with Rebtel are made without any additional user-installed software, computers or Internet connections. They also work with any mobile phone and carrier. You can also make free international calls between more than 50 countries. Enjoy maximum calling at minimum rates!

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Mobile / Cell Phones in Finland
(matkapuhelin, kännykkä, känny)

There is no "set-up fee" for a mobile phone in Finland so this is usually the cheapest way to get a phone number, but if you are a foreigner without an established credit history you may be required to make an advance payment to open a mobile phone line. This can be substantial - perhaps € 500 - but if you pay your bills on time the amount is fully refundable when either a) you cancel the service, or b) the "trial period" of up to 2 years is over.

If you also need to acquire a phone, many of Finland's mobile service operators have followed the path seen in other countries, and offer a phone as part of a service package. Alternatively you can buy a phone practically anywhere - even the ubiquitous R-Kioskis sell them occasionally packaged with pre-paid calling cards. These days (mid-2010) it's not unusual to see basic known-brand phones for €30 - 40. At the other end of the spectrum, you can expect to pay €500 or so for a top Nokia model. If money is really tight, don't hesitate to ask your friends or acquaintances if they have an old phone you could use - many people have phones left over from past upgrades. You can also try huuto.net - the Finnish equivalent of Ebay, and very handy for buying anything second-hand - but you will need a Finnish speaker to help you navigate.

Mobiles are a reasonably cheap way of communicating, particularly if you use text messages (SMS) rather than actually calling. SMS, local call and international call rates vary significantly between operators. Shop around for the best deal, and keep an eye out for special packages and promotions which are increasingly common as competition increases.

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Landline / Fixed Phone Services in Finland

So you're a nostalgia buff and you want a landline? Seriously, you'll probably be the only person on the block to have one, so maybe you can start a retro trend! Contact Elisa Communications regarding installation of landlines.

This pricing may not be 100% accurate, but it's close: for a home phone, you pay a non-recurring subscription of € 99*, and continue with monthly fees of € 12,45 + call charges. The local call rate is 12¢/call + 1¢/min regardless of time of day. You will also receive telephone directories and free-of-charge services including Caller ID, Call Forwarding & Call Waiting. Charges differ for business lines.
*if an installer has to visit your home there will be an additional charge.

Finnish Telephone Networks / Operators

Following are Finland's major mobile communications operators. Many are also Internet Service Providers and TV service providers. Phone numbers operate during normal business hours:

Prepaid Mobile Services in Finland

Prepaid phone subscriptions from operators such as Sonera are available from outlets including R-Kioskis and larger service stations. Starting packages in mid-2011 cost about € 7-10 and include € 6-10 worth of airtime. Simply buy a package, install the included SIM card in your mobile phone, key in the codes provided and you can start making calls. Your new phone number is included with the package. You will be alerted when your airtime is running out, and can then "recharge" the subscription from a prepaid dealer. You can also reload airtime from the Internet.

Prepaid packages are a very attractive way to get started with a mobile phone service; the downside is that the charge per minute, or message, is comparatively high and you are unable to make international calls.

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International Calls from Finland

Regardless of the operator you subscribe to for your regular service, you can choose which operator you would like to handle individual international phone 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" regularly at a great saving. 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.

To call with a different operator: Normally when making an international call from a mobile phone 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*. For example 991 (Saunalahti), 990 (Sonera) or 999 (Elisa). Then dial the country code, the area code and the actual phone number as usual.
*some operators require you to register - check their sites for details

Ex: 999 (Elisa prefix) 61 (country code) 2 (area code) 9234 5678 (number)

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Calling on the Internet

The cheapest way to make calls is to use your computer "PC to PC". You will need a soundcard, a microphone and speakers/headphones, or a headset. Those are pretty cheap these days, and already built into most laptops. Sound quality is constantly improving and now often of telephone standard, even if you're calling the opposite side of the world on an average connection.

Skype is the leader in this field, works extremely well, and it's free. It's very easy to download and install, and if you have a web-cam you can also make free video calls PC to PC, as well as conference calls and more. Skype works on Windows, Mac, Linux and PDAs (Pocket PC).

Nearly all programmes for Internet calls work on the same procedure:

1. Fill in the user registration at the Web site
2. Download the programme
3. Buy "phone" time (rates for calling phones from your PC are much lower than by phone)
4. Make the call

The following sites have received positive feedback:

• http://www.skype.com (Highly recommended!)
• http://www.net2phone.com
• http://www.go2call.com
• http://www.vyke.com
• http://voice.yahoo.jajah.com
• http://www.phonehog.com

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