17.01.2008

Television fees inspected in Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen

Television fees are inspected in Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. During the first two days of the intensified inspections, 440 viewers, who had not submitted the notification of taking a television set into use, were caught.

The inspections focus on households which have failed to submit the notification of taking a television set into use. Television fee inspectors have lists on the places of residence without a valid television notification. The lists are based on a comparison of the resident information in the population information system with those who have submitted a television notification. The Act on the State Television and Radio Fund enables the comparison. In addition to the regional, intensified inspections, 83 inspectors continuously tour the country.

The nearly 46,000 households in the television fee campaign area were sent a campaign letter and form to be used for submitting a television notification. According to the estimates, approximately half the households, who had not submitted a television notification, used a television set.

Campaigns with regional focus and intensified inspections are an efficient way to mobilize viewers who have neglected to submit their notification: in February 2005, about 10 percent of households in this area submitted a television notification due to the campaign letter. The campaign area currently has about 149,000 television fee payers.

The obligation to pay the television fee remains the same during the digital television era. Cable television households must pay the television fee during the extended period granted to analogue distribution, until the end of February 2008, even though the household did not have a digital box. Viewers must submit the television notification if they can receive television transmissions.

If the obligation to submit a television notification is neglected, the sanction may rise up to 500 euros. The television fee is EUR 215.45 per year, i.e. less than EUR 0.60 per day. The television fee can be paid in 6-month instalments (EUR 108.40), in 3-month instalments (EUR 54.85) or in monthly instalment (EUR 18.60): You can submit the notification by submitting a form available at post offices, by contacting our customer service tel. 09 613 161 or on our website at www.tv-maksu.fi.

Further information:
Anssi Laakso, Director, tel. 09 6966 301, 040 500 5549
Mira Keitaanranta, Deputy Director, tel. 09 6966 319, 040 824 3377