Consumer protection is opposed to Vodafone’s practices with fiber optic offers. The common practice of forcing customers to use their own modems is said to violate customer rights. Consumer advocates are also warning the German fiber optics company. What customers need to know about the allegations.
Consumer protection: Vodafone is to reposition fiber optic offers
The consumer advice center Rhineland-Palatinate warns Vodafone and German fiber optics. According to consumer advocates, there is a reason to take action against the providers Violations of the freedom of choice of end device, customers have been enjoying since 2016.
According to the consumer advice center, it has since been regulated that the telecommunications companies only have decision-making authority within their network, including the hardware used. That But the network ends at the “passive network termination point”which means on the connection socket in the wall at the customer’s home – depending on the tariff selected, the telephone socket, the cable connection socket or, in the case of real fiber optic connections, the newly laid fiber optic socket.
In practice, however, a permanently installed fiber optic modem from the provider would usually be installed after the connection socket. You do it with customers, among other things “very difficult or even impossible” to use other hardware or combination devices (Source: consumer center Rhineland-Palatinate). With these, modem and router are combined in one device, which not only ensures fewer unnecessary devices, but also offers potential for saving electricity – a strong argument, especially given the current high prices.
Attention, price trap! Consumer protection warns against rental devices
Customers should be informed by the provider when they sign the contract that they are not tied to the devices from Vodafone, German fiber optics and Co., demand consumer advocates. she also advise against rental equipment, the price of which is often included in the tariff. “If you add up the rental costs for two to three years, the rental price quickly exceeds the purchase price of the router,” explains Michael Gundall from the consumer advice center in Rhineland-Palatinate. This is how savings can be made.
With a good router or combination device, you can get more out of the internet at home:
It remains to be seen whether the warning from consumer advocates will work. After all, the providers are being asked to do indirect advertising for competitors in the hardware business. It seems unlikely that Vodafone and Co. would agree to this. But it’s not impossible either, after all, mobile phone providers have been obliged to point out cheaper offers.