ANCOM, published during this day a press release warning consumers in Romania about a clause in television, internet or telephone contracts, this having the effect of the automatic extension of the respective contracts.
According to those from ANCOM, any kind of automatic extension of a contract of this kind without modifying the benefits in any way gives the customers the opportunity to request the termination of the contract without any additional cost, something that does not happen in the case of contract periods initial.
In order for Romanians to be better informed by companies about the effects of these automatic extensions, the ANCOM has imposed the obligation that the websites of the service providers have complete information about the benefits and obligations of users in these situations.
More details can be found in the press release below.
Pay attention to the extension of the telephone, internet or television contract
Contracts for telephone, internet or television services are usually extended automatically, either for successive periods equal to the initial contractual duration, or for an indefinite period, without the need for any other action on the part of users or providers.
Careful! Operators may offer users additional benefits upon renewal (e.g. discounts on equipment or tariff plans), but this usually involves concluding an addendum and starting a new minimum contract term. If the user wishes to terminate the contract before the expiry of this new contractual term, the provider may request the payment of early termination penalties.
If the contract is automatically renewed (either for an indefinite period, or for a period equal to the initial period or for another fixed period), but the offer remains unchanged and no discounted equipment is purchased, users will not pay no contract termination fee associated with the minimum contract period, given that it has expired. In this situation, the telephone, internet or television service is still provided as long as neither the user nor the provider takes any action to terminate the contract.
right Decision of the President of ANCOM no. 158/2015 regarding the obligations to inform end users, the suppliers must publish on the internet pages information regarding the duration of the contracts for telephone, internet and television services, presented in a correct, detailed and intelligible way. Users can find out more details about the contracts concluded with suppliers and about the information they are obliged to publish on their own websites through the InfoCentru section of the ANCOM website.
What, how and where you advertise
If you concluded a contract that does not specify if and how
extends the contract, ANCOM can take measures. See how you can send a report by consulting the section Notify ANCOM!
You have the right to be notified 30 days before the date on which the contract automatically extends to express your option to extend its validity. If you have not received this notification, you can contact the National Authority for Consumer Protection.
