UOKiK launches proceedings against T-Mobile

The Consumer Protection Authority (UOKiK) has launched proceedings against Poland's largest mobile network operator T-Mobile Polska over its two additional paid services, the watchdog informed on Monday. "The first of T-Mobile Polska’s questioned services plays music that callers hear while waiting for their call to go through. The other feature provides access to information and entertainment. Both services are complimentary during an initial promotional period," a statement read. According to UOKiK, T-Mobile activates the default services when it concludes a contract for the provision of telecommunications services or when accounts are topped up. Consumers who do not cancel the services are billed for them, despite not providing consent for the additional payments when they signed the contract. The watchdog may issue a decision prohibiting a practice that infringes consumer rights and impose a fine of up to 10 percent of the enterprise’s turnover in the preceding year. It may also specify measures to remove the lasting effects of an unlawful practice.