11.02.2009

Campaign for good mobile phone manners reached users

The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) commissioned a survey on the Finns' attitudes towards using the mobile phone in public space. The survey was preceded by the 'Älä kailota' (Do not shout into your mobile phone) campaign, which promotes good manners when speaking on the mobile phone in public space. The campaign in January was a joint effort of the public transport sector, telecoms operators and communications authorities. The purpose of the campaign was to remind the citizens of the smart and considerate ways of using the mobile phone.

According to the survey commissioned by TNS Gallup, more than every fourth citizen had been disturbed by others' use of the mobile phone in public space. This means a rise from the survey made in 2007, when almost every fifth considered that others' use of the mobile phone to be disturbing.

Majority of Finns noticed the campaign

Furthermore, people who spoke loudly were considered to cause the most disturbance. Also having to listen to other people's personal or confidential matters or coarse language annoys.

Especially highly-educated persons, persons in managerial position and those living in the Helsinki metropolitan area are of the opinion that other people sometimes use the mobile phone in an annoying way. The young under the age of 24 and students had the most liberal attitude towards the use of the mobile phone in the public space.

The 'Älä kailota' campaign was well-received since nearly 80 per cent of those living in the Helsinki metropolitan area and 60 per cent of all Finns had noticed the campaign. Nearly every fifth thought that the campaign had influenced on the way they or other people use the mobile phone.

Approximately 500 Finns were interviewed for the survey. The survey was implemented in January.

Further information:
Lauttamus-Kauppila Anna, Communications Director, FICORA, tel. +358 50 5635724