FAQ - 112 Suomi -application

Tourists visiting Finland can use the application by downloading it to their phone in the normal way. In this case, you must enter your phone number in international format (plus sign and country code at the beginning of the number).

The application is downloaded to your phone through official device-specific distribution channels, so the risk of malware or viruses is no higher than when downloading other applications. The risk of infection can be considered very unlikely.

The application can be turned on in the middle of a call. Press the 112 button to start transmitting location information. 

The application only uses location information when you call the emergency number 112, the road users’ hotline or the maritime rescue emergency number via the application. The transmission of location information is activated when you press the Call menu for that number in the application.

The application transmits a location signal for 60 minutes from the start of the call, and it is stored on the proxy server for 24 hours. This means that the location information of a previous call can be retrieved for a new call based on the phone number if you have to call the emergency response centre a second time for the same emergency, and a data connection, for example, is not available.

Public warnings and other public notifications are sent to all phones on which the application has been installed and that have location services enabled. The location specified in the public warning or other public notification determines whether the user’s phone issues a notification. The public warning or other public notification feature does not communicate the user’s location to a cloud service or elsewhere.

Local traffic alerts are sent to all phones on which the application has been installed and that have location services as well as the option “Traffic alerts shown” enabled. The location specified in the traffic alert determines whether the user’s phone issues a notification. The traffic alert feature does not communicate the user’s location to a cloud service or elsewhere.

The nearest defibrillator is shown based on the phone’s location. Retrieving the list in the application does not communicate any information about the user to third parties. 
When going to the Omaolo.fi online service via the application and filling in the coronavirus check-up in the online service, no information about the user is communicated to SoteDigi Oy.

A phone number is needed to connect the location information to the correct emergency call in the event of an emergency.

The number is not used to retrieve personal data or transmit other information. The ERC operator only sees the number from which the call is coming and the location information.

Technically, the 112 Suomi application and AML function in slightly different ways. The 112 Suomi application is based on the phone’s GPS positioning. In addition to GPS, AML also uses other things for positioning, such as the distance to identified WiFi devices. This means that the AML method is more accurate, but also more prone to errors if, for example, WiFi devices are moved. In this sense, the most accurate and reliable positioning is achieved with the simultaneous use of AML and the 112 Suomi application.

You can use the application even when no mobile data connection is available. Automatic transmission of location information requires a network connection, but satellite positioning does not. You can call the emergency number in the normal way and provide the operator with your location verbally by reading out the coordinates from the 112 Suomi application. 

The application provides your location reliably even when the location information is not automatically transmitted. In this case, it is important to also provide the ERC operator with the positioning accuracy, which is displayed directly below the coordinate information in the application.

The positioning works using the smartphone’s own GPS satellite positioning function. The transmission of location information is activated for 60 minutes when you call the emergency number, maritime rescue emergency number or the road users’ hotline via the application.

The automatic launching of location services by applications is prohibited on phone platforms. If your location setting is not enabled when you call, the application provides a shortcut to the phone’s settings.

Public warnings and other public notifications are sent to all phones on which the application has been installed and the application has been allowed to use location information. The location specified in the notification determines whether the user’s phone issues a notification. The notification feature does not communicate your location to a cloud-based server or elsewhere. 

The median positioning accuracy is approximately 11 metres. The accuracy varies depending on your phone and the environment. Tall buildings and high terrain complicate both satellite positioning and positioning based on mobile network base stations. The accuracy of the positioning is displayed directly below the coordinate information in the application. You can also check your location on the map from the “Show on map” button on the application’s home screen. 

Satellite positioning works best outdoors, in places that are as high and open as possible. Indoors, the positioning accuracy can be greatly improved by going to a window or outside completely. Outside, you should move to a more low-lying or higher area, if possible.

Yes, but the Emergency Response Centre Agency may be provided with location information from a different phone number than the one you are calling from. In this case, provide your location coordinates verbally to the ERC operator.

The application takes the location of the user’s nearest defibrillator from the defi.fi database, which the Finnish Heart Association co-manages with the Finnish Red Cross and the Finnish Resuscitation Council. The Nearest Defibrillator menu can be found in the application under the Services and Other Services tabs. The route directions will open on the map application in your phone. Further information about registering defibrillators: Defi.fi – Rekisteri sydäniskureista (in Finnish).

Users who have allowed the application to access their location can view live traffic alerts on their mobile phone. The application’s list of notifications shows all the alerts that are active in the user’s area. The information is provided by Traffic Management Finland’s Digitraffic service.

The Emergency Response Centre Agency issues public warnings from the authorities, other public notifications as well as traffic alerts via the application. 

The 112 Suomi application is one of the statutory channels for public warnings. A public notification, in turn, refers to notifications and instructions related to exceptional situations, emergency missions, drills or circumstances, which are released to the public in order to dispel rumours and prevent unnecessary calls to the emergency number or to instruct people on how to act under the prevailing conditions. These are used when a situation occurs which requires informing or instructing the public but which does not warrant issuing a public warning. 

The notifications are in the language chosen by the user for the application. The language options are Finnish or Swedish.

If you are in the area specified in the notification, it will show on your phone screen. You will hear a sound signal in addition to the notification.

The public warning sound signal is distinctive, and most people in Finland will recognise it from the public warnings on television and radio. The Morse code sound for “CQ” (seek you) lasts two to three seconds and is the international code for public warnings. 

The public notification sound signal is a short “ti tu” lasting about half a second. 

The sound signals are not repeated – they will only sound once.

No. If your phone is on silent, new notifications will show on the screen but there will be no sound.

Most phone models enable individual applications to be muted, including the 112 Suomi application. If the phone is on silent, it is not possible to enable the sounds of an individual application.