Black Friday 2026: how to spot a good subscription deal

Calculate the price over the whole contract period, not the monthly price

In a subscription campaign the price is often reduced only for a certain period, for example 12 or 24 months, after which the subscription costs the regular price. In addition, many subscriptions include an opening fee. The comparable figure is therefore the total price over the chosen period: campaign months at the campaign price, remaining months at the regular price, plus the opening fee.

For example, a home broadband connection that costs 8,00 €/month for 12 months in the campaign and 24,99 €/month after that costs 12 × 8,00 + 12 × 24,99 = 395,88 euros over 24 months, before the opening fee. Another subscription that costs 15,00 €/month throughout costs 360,00 euros over the same period. So a campaign that looks cheaper can be more expensive if you keep the subscription after the campaign.

The Subscription Radar Deal Finder calculates the total price for the period you choose, taking campaigns and opening fees into account. The order is always based on price.

Campaign price × campaign months
+ regular price × remaining months
+ opening fee
= total price over 12 or 24 months

Fixed term and the price after the campaign

Check before ordering whether the contract is fixed-term. You usually cannot get out of a fixed-term contract mid-term without costs, so the regular price after the campaign and the length of the contract determine whether the deal is worth it.

If the contract is open-ended, you can switch subscriptions when the campaign ends. In that case a short campaign can be genuinely cheap. Put the campaign end date in your calendar so you remember to compare again.

When your current contract ends

According to Traficom, since 1.1.2022 operators have had to offer consumers the option to check the end date of a fixed-term mobile subscription contract by text message. Send the message SOPIMUS (in Swedish ABONNEMANG) to 18321. The reply states the contract end date or that the contract is open-ended.

According to Traficom, Telia directs its customers to check contract details primarily in the Minun Telia service, because the text message service does not provide all the information. So, if necessary, also check your own operator's online service.

The rules on discount advertising also apply to Black Friday

Under the Consumer Protection Act, when a price reduction on goods is advertised, the lowest price at which the goods were marketed during the 30 days before the reduction must also be stated. The rule applies to goods such as phones and other devices that are often sold with a subscription.

According to Verkkouutiset, on 25.6.2026 the Market Court prohibited an operator's campaign advertising in which the lowest 30-day price of a phone had not been stated, and imposed a conditional fine of 100 000 euros to enforce the prohibition. If a discount announcement lacks the previous lowest price, the real size of the discount cannot be assessed.

For a discount on a subscription's monthly price, it is worth comparing the total price and the regular price, because KKV's material discusses the 30-day rule in relation to goods.

For a device discount: is the lowest price in the past 30 days shown?
For a subscription discount: what is the regular price after the campaign?
Is the deal tied to a device instalment plan or a fixed term?

Checklist before ordering

Go through these points for every deal. When you do the same calculation for all of them, the comparison is fair even if the campaigns are of different lengths.

How much speed and data you really need (see the Subscription Radar calculators)
Total price over 12 and 24 months
Opening fee and any additional services
Fixed term and its end date
Regular price after the campaign
For the device, the lowest price in the past 30 days
Availability at your address (fibre, 5G coverage)

Frequently asked questions

When is Black Friday in 2026?

Black Friday is on Friday 27.11.2026 and Cyber Monday on Monday 30.11.2026. Many shops start their campaigns earlier in the same week.

How do I check when my subscription contract ends?

Send the text message SOPIMUS to 18321. According to Traficom, operators have had to offer this option since 1.1.2022. Telia also directs customers to check the details in the Minun Telia service.

Is the campaign price always the cheapest?

Not always. Compare the total price over 12 or 24 months. A short campaign and a high regular price can end up more expensive than a steady price.

Does a discount have to state the previous price?

In discount advertising for goods such as phones, the lowest price in the 30 days before the reduction must be stated. For a subscription's monthly price, it is worth comparing against the regular price and the total price.

Subscription Radar brings together the topic's figures, deadlines and services. Open Subscription Radar →

Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.