Poland's consumer rights watchdog, the Office on Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), has slammed Polkomtel, operator of the Plus mobile phone network, with a fine of zł.11.7 million for unfair practices.

Between May and June last year, the operator informed Plus subscribers that its terms and conditions would be changed and that subscribers could leave the network free of charge. UOKiK found, however, that this information was printed in illegibly small font.

Furthermore, clients who chose to leave the network at the time encountered great difficulty, such as being directed to the operator’s head office in Warsaw, where employees claimed to be unauthorized to cancel contracts. They were therefore advised to end the contract for reasons other than a change in the terms and conditions, which nullified the exemption from exiting fees.

Poland A.M.