In the course of the modernization of the Telecommunications Act, consumer rights are being strengthened.
You can claim money back if the internet speed differs from the contract.
Berlin - Slow internet can get on your nerves, especially in times of Corona and home office.
This is particularly annoying if a faster internet connection has been agreed with the provider.
But there is good news for consumers: From December 1, 2021, customer rights will be strengthened.
More rights with slow internet thanks to the Telecommunications Act
Consumers owe this to the modernized Telecommunications Act.
This gives consumers a right to a reduction in price.
As the consumer advice center explains, money can be claimed back in the event of “significant, continuous or regularly recurring deviations in speed”.
For this, those affected have to use broadband measurements to prove that their Internet connection is too slow.
Because also outdated drivers of the network card, poor WiFi reception, too many browser cookies, incorrect router settings, unsuitable cables or anti-virus programs can slow down the speed.
How to check the speed of your internet connection:
Your provider itself offers a so-called speed test.
However, the providers' tests are carried out in accordance with provider-specific specifications and are therefore not calculated uniformly and objectively.
You use the offers of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).
This provides various measuring tools.
With these you can measure, control and log your actual data transmission rate free of charge and compare it with the rate specified in the contract.
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The Federal Network Agency offers various tools for broadband measurement available.
© Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa
Specifically, according to the Federal Ministry of Economics, this means that end customers who, for example, only receive 50 instead of the promised 100 megabits per second, only have to pay 50 percent of the monthly fee.
Special right of termination for slow internet
Termination is available as an alternative to a reduction in price.
Anyone who wants to change providers due to poor performance has the right to terminate the contract without notice.
The only requirement: the provider must be set a deadline in advance in order to still provide the contractually agreed service.
(jsch / dpa)
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