Portuguese regulator Anacom has fined Vodafone €85,000 for failing to comply with rules governing contract terminations initiated by subscribers.
The breaches relate to delays in meeting deadlines for processing contract cancellations and receiving termination requests. Anacom said Vodafone’s actions violated the Electronic Communications Law (LCE) and a 2012 decision designed to safeguard consumer rights.
Those rules are intended to ensure that customers can end contracts without facing disproportionate conditions or excessively burdensome procedures. They aim to promote competition and subscriber mobility by making it easier for end-users to switch operators and take advantage of alternative offers.
Anacom described Vodafone’s conduct as “particularly serious,” noting it involved non-compliance with a legitimate regulatory order, undermining oversight of the market. The regulator stressed it will continue to monitor operators closely to enforce compliance in this area.
Vodafone has filed a legal challenge against the decision with Portugal’s Court of Competition, Regulation and Supervision.
