Saunalahti

According to Google Translate, "Saunalahti" translates to "sauna bay".
But I am referring to the phone company that is joined with Elisa (internet and television services).

A few days ago, I got my phone bill from Sonera and nearly passed out when it was again, about 45�.
I have decided that enough was enough - I'm moving on.  I no longer make any contracts with any company due to not knowing our future plans and am glad I didn't make one with Sonera.

Once upon a time, I was with DNA and my phone bill once hit 50� (without internet usage at all - just text messages!) and their options didn't seem all that hot - so I  moved to Sonera.
I originally went to Sonera for their "kamu" program - which meant I could pick up to 5 phone numbers (Sonera based) and only paid 1� per number registered, for un-limited calls and text messaging.  And then I could also have 1 phone number that wasn't Sonera-based for the same price.

My bill was down to about 30� - which wasn't too bad (I don't talk a lot on the phone - I really avoid it unless necessary) - but suddenly it creeped up to 40 or 45�!!
I am thinking it's the fact that I was using my internet more often - and remembered Saunalahti (sister company with Elisa) offered un-limited internet with their fees.
A friend who is also with Sonera said that the fee shouldn't go up but the internet would just work slower on my phone...hmm.

I had previously gone to Sonera to ask for a better deal and they just adjusted my text message package - which added MORE to my bill and that was it.
They aren't very helpful (I've never called into their call center or anything before) and I knew the fellow spoke English - so I don't know what's up.
Also, Sonera offers discounts on their website when you log into your account.  However, my phone is in my name and my bank account doesn't show my name on it but my husband's as he's the primary account holder.  So I wasn't able to create a profile on Sonera's site either.

Then I went into Elisa and got a young guy who spoke great English and the customer service was FANTASTIC.
I quickly explained what I needed:

• I send about 700 text messages per month and was with Sonera for their Kamu program.
• I don't talk a lot on the phone - so about 1.5 hours per month (this varies - it really depends how many family members have birthdays or how many holidays are in that month so I should probably call them.)
• I use the internet quite a bit - nothing fancy.  Just Facebook and Hotmail.

The Elisa fellow quickly pointed out a plan for me (non-contract):

• 1200 text messages for 9,90� a month
• Mobile "Mini" internet package (unlimited usage) 4,90� per month (speed is average 0.5Mbits/s)
• Monthly fee is 0.66� per month
• Talking is less than 6 cents per minute too

So total is approximately: 15.46� per month.

And for the first month, I get 50% off of my internet fee....and for 12 months (aka 1 year) I get 50% off of my text message package too!

So I'm looking at about 10� and some change per month...for a year.
As opposed to 42-44� per month!

After that, he checked out internet options for me because we'll be moving in a month or so.

THEN he asked me if I would like my number to be listed or not and I opted for not - which I assume doesn't cost anything because he didn't advise me of any fee.

I kept my number the same too.

Thanks Saunalahti!

Phone Switch!

This is all about switching phone companies (cell phones).
IGNORE THE CURRENCY CONVERSION.... Yes Finland uses Euros - but for the sake of math - Europe has �ber cheap prices for cell phones compared to North America...which I've constantly been amazed with since moving here.

I came to Finland in 2009 and started out with DNA up until this past week.
The plan I had was pretty simple: 6 or 7 Euro cents per month for a monthly "system access fee" and 6-7 Euro cents per minute or text message sent.
It doesn't cost ANYTHING to receive messages.  (It apparently costs about 5 cents per message received in Canada - what a shame!  Not like you can control how many messages you are SENT.)
And receiving calls - you're not charged anything either - as far as I know...and you can call anyone anywhere in Finland with your Finnish cell phone - and it's not long distance (in the sense of costing extra)!

Anyways, I noticed as of recently that my cell phone bill has been going up because my text message usage has increased significantly.
Fair enough.  I decided to shop around for different and hopefully more affordable prices.
My friend, who uses Sonera (and is the primary cause of my bill being up quite high - as we text each other A LOT) - mentioned that Sonera has a "friends program" called Kamu.
For 1�/month you can pick a friend and have unlimited text messaging and minutes with that person.  I went to Sonera once my 2-year contract was complete and they said I can pick up to 6 numbers that have Sonera phone lines and it'd be 1� per person!  Fabulous!

But! What if someone I want to add doesn't have a Sonera line?  (Aka my husband)
Only 1 number out of the 6 can be a "non-Sonera" number.  Good enough for me!

The monthly fee is 1,99�, I have 3 "kamu"/favourite friends and I picked up a small internet package for my phone at under 4�/month.    So about 9�/month...as opposed to my most recent bill of 46�...
Pretty great deal!
And individual minutes and messages were the same price - of approximately 7 E.Cents for each.

I was given my new SIM card and told my password to set it up and that in a week from that day - I could insert the new SIM card into my phone and everything would be switched over accordingly.
There is no fee for the new SIM card for a new customer...and I used my existing phone - so that saved me a lot too.

*There are other plans and other contracts that require a new phone set up - but I am on a month-to-month plan which fits my needs.  This is just my experience!*

As soon as I was entered into the system as a new client of Sonera - my phone buzzed 8 times with 8 new text messages from Sonera, thanking me in Finnish for joining their company.  Wow - that's really nice - but 8x was a little much.
AND - not to be outdone...I got a text message from DNA in English (may I note the first one in English since I've moved to Finland...hmm interesting how that worked out) stating they recognized I was ending my plan and suggesting I call them so I can be offered a great plan.

Well, I wasn't quite interested in DNA's offer as a friend of mine works there (I had no idea until I was hunting around on Facebook about other companies) and he had made me a great offer but it was still quite expensive....in the long run.
The plan I was offered?

For 6 months, I could have a plan that included a mix of 500 minutes or text messages (not 500 of each - just to clarify) for 50% off, at 9� and some change per month....and 1�/month un-limited internet use.  Not too bad - but that would require a 1 year contract - and while I'm confident we'll be in Finland for 1 year - I just didn't want another contract.

So the day after I signed up with Sonera, DNA called me twice.  The first time - I didn't answer because I was in the middle of feeding my son and diaper changes etc....so I figure if it was important enough - they'd call back.
I answered the 2nd time - for the sake of getting it done and over with.  The DNA rep spoke great English and offered me "a better deal" than Sonera.  Turned out it was the same deal as what my friend offered - but for 1 year I'd be given 50% off the monthly plan and it would cost 2�/month unlimited internet....I declined it not once but three times.
I'm not the type of person that will be rude and snippy on the phone, because I've worked in a call center before with the bank - but when someone tells me "No thank you - I've decided to stick with the other company" - that'd be my cue to thank the client and leave it at that.

So folks, it's that easy to switch your plan - but make sure you do it after your contract is over - so you avoid paying any "penalty fees" - although the penalty fee with DNA was 100� per phone line...much better than 400$ per phone line in Canada (who knows - maybe it's gone up again).

(Some companies mail you the new SIM card - just so you know).