Budapest, 10 August 2022 - Yettel has agreed to a reparation package of over HUF 1.3 billion for compensating almost 180,000 consumers in a procedure by the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH).
At the end of 2019, the Hungarian Competition Authority imposed a significant fine on Telenor Magyarország Zrt. for advertising some of its devices at HUF 0 or discounted prices between 2016 and 2017 while including a portion of their price in the relevant subscription fees. The company appealed against the decision to the Registry Court which upheld GVH's finding of infringement but ordered the GVH to justify the amount of the fine.
In a new procedure Yettel agreed to provide redress for consumers due to unfair commercial practices that had been established by a final judgment. Based on its commitment the company will pay a compensation of HUF 7,500 (credit or top-up card credit) to all current customers (almost 180,000 consumers) who signed a loyalty subscription contract involving a handset during the relevant period of the Telenor Blue campaigns, i.e. from 6 October 2016 to 22 October 2017. The relevant customers will be notified by Yettel via email or SMS in advance. The guaranteed value of the compensation is HUF 1.31 billion, meaning that if the total amount paid to consumers fails to reach this amount for any reason the company will have to pay the remaining amount as a competition fine.
In the course of recalculation, the GVH reduced the original fine of HUF 1.8 billion to HUF 125 million taking into account the compensation package, while requesting the commitments to be fulfilled and audited. In addition to the direct benefits for consumers, the GVH decision also considered the fact that the company had waived its right to further legal remedy. The Hungarian Competition Authority will monitor compliance with the remedy obligations upon expiry of the deadline established for their implementation.
Case reference number: VJ/33/2021
GVH Press Office