ANACOM, the communications regulator in Portugal, applied fines totaling 990 thousand euros to the three major telecom operators: NOS, Vodafone and MEO. The sanctions were motivated by unilateral contractual changes that affected approximately 2.77 million subscribers, including the introduction of mandatory advertising viewing in television service recordings.
The fines were distributed as follows: 350 thousand euros for NOS, covering approximately 822 thousand clients; 160 thousand euros for Vodafone, with an impact on approximately 449 thousand subscribers; and 480 thousand euros for MEO, which reached approximately 1.5 million consumers. According to ANACOM, the operators did not adequately notify customers about the contractual changes, violating the legal requirements for prior notice and information about the right to terminate the contract without penalties.
Portuguese law requires that any change in contractual conditions be communicated clearly, at least one month in advance, and that operators inform consumers about the possibility of terminating the contract without additional costs if they do not agree with the new conditions.
ANACOM's decisions have already been appealed to the Competition, Regulation and Supervision Court. Consumers are advised to keep all documentation received and to always verify communications from the operator, checking the proposed changes, the effective date and the possibility of free termination, using the available dispute resolution mechanisms when necessary.
