Hungarian regulator the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) has levied a fine of HUF250 million (USD913,075) against Norwegian-backed Telenor Hungary after finding that the provider had amended individual subscriber agreements ‘without the appropriate legal basis’. Telenor increased the service fees applied to its end-users on 25 July 2014, justifying the action by citing ‘changes in circumstance’ – namely increases in operational expenses due to inflation and changes in exchange rate.
According to a statement from the NMHH: ‘Telenor’s unilateral contractual amendment violates consumer interests … The service provider may only amend the agreement bilaterally, on the basis of a consensus established with the subscriber.’ Additionally, a second HUF500,000 fine has been imposed on the operator’s CEO, Christopher Laska, for the ‘repeated violation of the prevailing rules applicable to electronic communications and of the general contractual terms.’ The NMHH claims it has found Telenor Hungary’s approach towards contractual amendments ‘unlawful on multiple occasions since 2010.’