Vodafone increases prices for landline customers - experts are examining legal steps

Many Vodafone customers have received mail in the last few weeks: They should pay five euros more for their internet in the future. The price for a contract with 250 MBit per month will be increased from 39.98 euros to 44.98 euros.

The group confirms that this price increase affects existing landline customers, i.e. DSL and cable customers. Fiber optic and mobile phone contracts are not affected by the price increase. The company has not provided any information about the number of customers affected.

Vodafone justifies the price increase by saying that most German companies have increased their prices due to inflation. Vodafone also had to adjust its fixed-line prices due to the sharp increase in overall costs.

Due to the price increase, customers have a special right of termination and can terminate the contract, even for contracts with a long term. The notice period is three months from the announced price increase. Vodafone says that so far no more customers than usual have canceled.

The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) is considering a lawsuit against Vodafone. The association criticizes the fact that Vodafone is trying to impose price increases without the consent of customers and considers the increase to be unlawful. The vzbv is therefore examining a lawsuit and would like to ensure that customers receive back the money they paid too much and can continue surfing at the old price.

The vzbv has already received numerous reports from affected customers and is currently examining them. A class action lawsuit could then be filed against Vodafone. Affected Vodafone users can join this lawsuit without incurring any costs.

There have been lawsuits against price increases in the past, for example against the music streaming service Spotify. The consumer advice center successfully sued and the Berlin regional court declared the price increase inadmissible. Lawsuits have also already been filed against electricity providers and other companies for possibly illegal price increases.

Source: www.rnd.de