ANACOM FINE MEO in more than 500 thousand euros

The National Authority of Communications (Anacom) has applied a fine over half a million euros to MEO for violations of disloyal contracts and business practices.

« Anacom decided to apply to MEO a fine of 559,500 euros, for violations of the rules applicable to the conclusion and termination of contracts at the initiative of subscribers, (…) and the adoption of unfair business practices, » the regulator said Thursday.

In a statement, the authority reveals that the MEO was intended to “put unjustified and not allowed in the procedures for termination of contracts at the initiative of subscribers, in order to hinder, delay or even lead to the withdrawal of service provider change processes, thus preventing the development of competition in the electronic communications market”.

ANACOM also said that the company provided false information to consumer subscribers, related mainly to the existence of loyalty periods or the payment of charges due by the early termination of the contract.

This information, says the regulator, was « likely to lead such consumers to make a transaction decision that would otherwise not take, thus adopting legally prohibited unfair business practices. »

The MEO has already filed a judicial appeal against Anacom’s decision, with the Court of Competition, Regulation and Supervision, the regulator advanced.