Vodafone is significantly increasing its fixed-network tariffs for existing customers. The Federation of German Consumer Organizations considers this to be illegal and is now considering a class action.
Munich – Telecommunications provider Vodafone Germany has been informing its cable and DSL customers about price increases since March. Vodafone is increasing tariffs: Existing customers who signed their contract before 15 November 2022 will now have to pay significantly higher tariffs since May – up to 60 euros more per year. The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) considers these increases to be inadmissible and is examining the options for a class action.
Vodafone is significantly increasing its fixed-network tariffs for existing customers. The Federation of German Consumer Organizations is now examining a class action lawsuit. (Symbolic image) © dpa
Consumer advice center wants to challenge Vodafone price increase: What customers should do
In an appeal on its website, the vzbv calls on affected customers to get in touch and share their experiences. The consumer advocates are currently examining a comparable lawsuit against Eon. The company had recently raised the prices of its district heating tariffs sharply. So now Vodafone.
According to the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), those affected report price increases from 27.99 euros to 32.99 euros and from 32.99 euros to 37.99 euros per month, which is just under twelve percent. In individual cases, according to the vzbv, this means additional costs of up to 60 euros per year for consumers.
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Price increases at Vodafone: vzbv examines lawsuit – those affected should come forward
Vodafone justifies the price increase, among other things, with increased energy prices for grid operation and refers to the special right of termination of customers who do not want to accept the price increase. As part of a realignment, the subsidiary of the British mobile phone company Vodafone Group, based in Düsseldorf, had already announced a tough austerity course with the elimination of 1300 jobs.
In return, the telecommunications provider plans to provide further investments for network expansion and the development of new technologies. The EU Commission's approval of Vodafone's billion-euro plan for fibre-optic expansion has already been obtained.
Vodafone can't get out of negative headlines: class action lawsuit threatens
In the third quarter, the company was only able to conclude 8,000 new mobile phone contracts. At the same time, Vodafone Germany is experiencing a continuous decline in DSL and cable customers. Recently, the company caused annoyance among its existing customers with increased prices, and in the Munich area with massive disruptions. Now, with the call of the vzbb and the threat of a class action lawsuit, the next negative headlines follow.