en 
The National Communications Authority (Anacom) has imposed a fine of 2.5 million euros on MEO, Altice Portugal, for "violation of the rules applicable to the termination of contracts".
"Anacom decided to impose a fine of 2.460 million euros on MEO, for violations of the rules applicable to the termination of contracts on the initiative of subscribers, provided for in the decision of this authority regarding the 'required procedures for the termination of contracts, on the initiative of subscribers, regarding the offer of public networks or electronic communications services accessible to the public, from 9.03.2012'", says the entity, in a statement.
According to the regulatory authority, "at issue is, above all, the non-acceptance of contractual termination requests presented in stores and the submission of contractual termination requests subject to prior receipt of a call from the retention line, without which customers could not submit their requests or the procedure already started could not continue".
In addition, "situations were also verified in which MEO did not provide subscribers with the denunciation form that it is obliged to hand over whenever requested, and others in which the company did not ask customers for documents that were necessary to confirm the denunciation of respective contracts or requested documents that were not necessary because he already had them in his possession", points out Anacom.
The Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações also refers that it was found that MEO "did not confirm several complaints about contracts presented by customers and provided incomplete information on the means and contacts available for submitting termination requests - which can, at least, be submitted in store, by letter, by email, by fax and by telephone".
According to the entity, "with such conduct, MEO aimed to place unjustified and unauthorised obstacles in the procedures for terminating contracts on the initiative of subscribers, in order to hinder, delay or even lead to the withdrawal of processes for changing service provider, thus impeding the development of competition in the electronic communications market".
English
Nederlands
Deutsch
Français
Español
Italiano
Svenska
Pусский
Română
中文
Türkçe
हिन्दी
Português
Українська
اردو
Polski
عربي
Suomi
עִברִית
Afrikaans
Português (Brasil)
I think it's too little. Economic operatores need to respect customers. They don't and treat us like idiots.
By Diogo F. from Lisbon on 04 Apr 2023, 22:14
Yeah, MEO, " humaniza-te"!!
By Claudia from Other on 05 Apr 2023, 08:32
God doesn't sleep..... Those who are fools will be fooled.
By Carolyn Pacheco from Algarve on 05 Apr 2023, 10:32
I fully agree with Diogo - it's good, but still too little. Their treatment of customers is despicable to say the least. They need a major attitude adjustment and sadly I think a fine of a couple of million will do nothing to change that.
By Janine from Other on 05 Apr 2023, 11:05
They are bugus company . They gov should put much higher fine . They put additional contact on my name which is unauthorised by me . And they keep charging more then year . Me as same person my payment was due 3 in row as I went back to my country . 3rd bill I had pay 286 euro . I believe no one can remove the contract of MEO I suppose unless the person are smart enough .
By Aubdulla al sharif from Lisbon on 05 Apr 2023, 11:26
The biggest crook is Vodafone and Portugal is probably the only country within the EU, that doesn’t provide 1 year contracts. I believe it’s actually illegal to just have 2 year contracts, which are impossible to get out of, even if you’re provider doesn’t have cover age after moving, Vodafone still blames the customer for moving.
By Jack D from Lisbon on 05 Apr 2023, 13:03
At last! Our voice heard! They are criminal and highly unprofessional. Thank you for this article. It is somewhat redeeming and certainly supports many very unsatisfied, unhappy and very stressed customers .
By Yvette Masure from UK on 05 Apr 2023, 16:53
Meo has great technical and terrible customer service.
Their merciless money grabbing uncancelable contracts are chasing away their customers. This sort of policy costs far more money than it "earns".
By mark Holden from Algarve on 06 Apr 2023, 17:28
I doubt that this is a FINE that they have to pay, since nothing is changed. I guess it's rather a cost that they have to pay to keep doing what they are good at. Lying and stealing money from the people. Making you feel as if you are wrong in anyway and hanging up when you can prove your words... All but getting you in contact with the right people. Wolves at their worst. AVOID!! Portugal is considered Europe but I highly doubt that, even in a 3rd world country this is called SCAMMING
By Jan from Alentejo on 19 Mar 2024, 13:43