UKE considering fining PTC
2007-03-30
The Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) is considering imposing a fine on PTC, the operator of the Era and Heyah mobile networks, for a change in the rules and conditions of service provision which makes it impossible for customers to bow out without suffering a financial penalty.
PTC has updated the rules and conditions which gave the subscribers the right to give up services without suffering financially. The operator has, however, informed the clients that this is merely an addendum to the conditions and, as such, does not imply a right to terminate the contract free of charge. The UKE emphasised that the addendum is, in fact, a change and that the subscribers are allowed to end the contract, if they do not approve of the change, without being subject to a charge. The regulator also stated that customers must be aware that the operator can interpret the regulations differently and demand payment of the charge, and that this breaches the law.