In Estonia, the telecommunications sector is regulated by the Electronic Communications Act, which aims to create the necessary conditions for the development of electronic communications to promote the development of electronic communications networks and electronic communications services without giving preference to specific technologies and to ensure the protection of the interests of users of electronic communications services by promoting free competition and the purposeful and just planning, allocation and use of radio frequencies and numbering.
Television service
Nationwide television programmes that can be watched free of charge as well as paid domestic and international television programmes can be viewed everywhere in the territory of Estonia using a television antenna. You do not need to be a client of any service provider to gain access to free channels. It is only necessary if you also wish to watch international and domestic paid channels. More information on free channels can be found on the website of Digilevi.
Paid media service packages are available online, allowing consuming television programmes and on-demand media. Such media service packages are offered by most internet service providers (see Internet service) and their websites have more information about the packages and prices.
Telephone service
Three large telecommunication companies provide telephone services for the entire country of Estonia: Elisa Eesti AS, Tele2 Eesti AS, and Telia Eesti AS, but there are also some smaller regional telecommunication companies.
Telephone services include mobile and landline packages. The popularity of landlines has decreased significantly among private consumers, but they remain an important communication channel for businesses.
When ordering a service, you should read the information on the homepages of telecommunication companies and contact their representatives for an individual offer. Individual offers are very common on the Estonian telecommunications market. Telephone services can be provided as part of a package along with other telecommunication services. However, a customer should pay particular attention when concluding a contract. You need to consider the conditions of the offer, the duration of the contract, and the terms and conditions for the expiry of discounts.
The customer has the right to change their service provider but keep their phone number if the number does not involve any other obligations to the telecommunications company.
The prices of international calls and text messages have an upper limit in the EU and the maximum cost for calling from one EU country to another, whether by landline or a mobile phone, is at most €0.19 per minute (+VAT), and for sending a text message, €0.06 (+VAT).
In the European Union, the roaming prices of communication services are the same for the end customer as in their home country. This is regulated by Regulation (EU) 2022/612 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Roam Like at Home).
Internet service
Major internet service providers in Estonia are Elisa Eesti AS, Tele2 Eesti AS, Telia Eesti AS, and AS STV. There are also some smaller local service providers. A fixed internet connection with a cable as well as mobile internet are both common.
In the case of a fixed internet connection, a customer can use an unlimited volume of data and choose a data speed according to their needs. The monthly fee for a fixed connection depends on the selected speed.
Three mobile operators offer mobile data communication services (Elisa Eesti AS, Tele2 Eesti AS, and Telia Eesti AS). The fees for mobile internet depend on the package chosen by the customer and the maximum data volume is an important indicator when choosing a package. All service providers offer packages with unlimited internet.
Customers can change their service providers with an uninterrupted service guaranteed. This is governed by the regulation on the requirements to changing an internet service provider.
Information on data communication service prices is available on the homepages of communications companies. For an individual offer, please contact a representative.
Information on the mobile network coverage and quality is available on the homepages of mobile operators. In addition, everyone can use the netikaart application, which helps search internet connection options based on addresses. The application differentiates between mobile and cable connection speeds, download and upload speeds, and has detailed information on the maximum speed available at a home or business address.
The Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority measures mobile connection regularly and according to the results, the quality and coverage of the services of the three mobile operators in Estonia are relatively equal.
More information to consider when choosing services and service packages can be found on the website of the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.