Practical questions

What does the restriction of e-mail traffic from consumer subscriptions mean?

Telecommunications operators are obliged to prevent unrestricted outbound SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) traffic from consumer subscriptions to manage the information security and availability of the service, unless the traffic is routed through the operator's server for outbound e-mail traffic. Usually this means that network traffic from consumer subscriptions that uses SMTP-protocol and is sent to port 25 is blocked, unless it is routed through the outbound mail servers of the operator.

The actions have no effect on e-mail communications that uses other communications ports. This means that for example e-mail communications that uses user authentication and encryption sent to port 587 on an external e-mail server outside the operators network has to be allowed. In addition, the restriction actions implemented according to the regulation have no effect on protocols and applications used to read mail.

In addition to automatically restricting traffic, the telecommunications operator may offer subscriptions that allow unrestricted outbound SMTP-traffic. In this case the subscribers have to be informed about the risks related to open communications and the operator has to pay particular attention to monitoring SMTP-traffic from these subscriptions in its network.

I have an e-mail account from another e-mail service provider, not my ISP. How do these restriction actions affect my e-mail submission?

You can send your e-mail in the future by configuring your e-mail clients mail account properties to use your ISPs mail server to send outbound mail. You can still use your old e-mail address when sending messages.

The restriction does not affect e-mail submission that uses alternative communications ports, for example mail submission methods that use authentication and encryption. These submission methods can be used to send e-mail directly through an external service provider. For example Mail Submission Port, port 587, is reserved for such mail submission.

In addition, e-mail service providers often offer webmail applications as an alternative method to use e-mail temporarily. The restriction actions do not affect applications used to retrieve inbound mail or webmail. Further instructions to set up your e-mail client are available at your e-mail service provider.

Can parents get a call itemization of their children’s mobile phone bill?

Only a person of age (18 in Finland) may make a subscriber connection agreement. Therefore, the subscriber connection agreement used by children under 18 is made by a parent who also acts as the subscriber. The child is registered as the user of the subscriber connection. The subscriber of the subscriber connection has the right to obtain a call itemization in a form where the three last digits of the phone numbers are obscured. The user’s right to get a complete itemization is exercised in the case of minors under 15 by their guardian.