Hidden increase in the bills of telephone and IT companies in Italy

29.8.2017

Question for written answer E-005320-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Pina Picierno (S&D) , Patrizia Toia (S&D)

A number of telephone and IT companies in Italy recently unilaterally changed some terms in their contracts with consumers, stating that bills would henceforth be issued every 28 days instead of monthly. Thanks to this sleight of hand, consumers will receive 13 instead of 12 bills a year, which de facto considerably increases the tariffs by about 8.6%, without any clear and specific announcement being made to this effect. In addition to being extremely misleading and prejudicial to consumers, this practice naturally also harms healthy competition between companies, thus creating a situation that prevents a clear comparison of costs between one company and another.

In view of Articles 101, 114 and 169 TFEU and 38 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, will the Commission say what action it intends — and is able — to take to prevent this practice which is harmful for consumers and fair competition?