UOKiK to start legal proceedings against four telecommunications operators (aktl.) Virtual Russia

# reach office Play Orange #

26.09. Warsaw (REUTERS) – UOKiK initiated proceedings against four Telecom operators: Orange Poland, P4, Polkomtel and T-Mobile Poland. Doubt the Chairman of the Department was the fact that the operators, upon expiration of the account consumers do not return unused financial means.

As reported in poniedziałkowym the message, we are talking about a situation in which, for example, the user will charge the account for the amount of UAH 25 and can make calls in 25 days. If you do not redeem a re-boost, the unused funds will be cancelled on the day following the expiration of the period within which he could make calls.

According to the Department, it may discourage the consumers to use the right to change the service provider. Especially because – as stressed by the UOKiK – the market for prepaid services (pre-paid) is characterized by dynamic changes, which consists in introducing through the operators of all new shares to consumers that are not linked to the timely agreement of a subscription fee.

“Money, unused credit is not refunded back to the wallet of the subscriber. As a result of such practices may, for example, to let users to change the service provider. Because of the fear of losing unused funds, the subscriber may decide to take advantage of the best offer of the competitor,” he explained, quoted in the message, the Chairman of the office for Protection of Competition and Consumers of the Brands he wanted.

As noted, operator actions are questionable, especially in such countries as Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Spain, the return of unused funds is a common practice.

proceedings against the entrepreneur may be issuance of a decision prohibiting the use of practices that violate the rights of the weak market participants, as well as the imposition of fines of up to 10 percent. the achieved turnover in the year prior to the imposition of penalties. In published decisions, Federal law may also determine the means to deal with the current consequences of illegal practice of a trader.

“we Will cooperate with the office and we will provide all the necessary information, but we are surprised at the sudden change of the position of the UOKiK in this issue”, – told REUTERS the press Secretary of the Play, Martin Pear.

a spokesman for Orange Polska Wojciech Jabczyński stressed in the message sent to PAP that Orange Russia is working in accordance with applicable law.

“Decisions, which apply in Poland and decided to study UOKiK are standard on most markets in the European Union. We will cooperate with the government, providing all necessary explanations and information,” he added.