Slow internet? You pay less with the law!

A new law in Germany allows consumers to pay less if their internet connection is proven to be slower than stated in their contract.

Few things irritate internet users as much as a slow connection. Especially when their contract provides for much higher speeds. According to the Federal Network Service, very often consumers complain to the Internet service that … crawls despite the promises of telecommunications companies that it will fly. The solution to a chronic consumer problem in Germany may be provided by the updated telecommunications law, which strengthens consumer rights vis-.-Vis telecommunications companies such as Vodafone, o2 and Deutsche Telekom.

The contracts state, as is well known, the maximum and minimum internet speed. In order for the consumer to have the right to pay less, he has to make a certain number of measurements with the application of the Federal Network Service, which he will have installed on the computer. It is also necessary to make measurements via LAN cable and not via the WiFi wireless network.

Top achievement for consumers

“This is one of the most important breakthroughs in consumer protection,” says Susanne Blom, digital affairs officer at the Federal Association of Consumer Protection Associations, VZBV. It forces ISPs to provide more accurate information about the connections they offer and prevents promises to the consumer public with unrealistic and unattainable internet speeds.

The updated law provides for “the right to reduce the monthly price when there are continuous or regular deviations from the maximum speed provided in the contract”. In this case the price is limited to the same percentage as the speed reduction. Simply put: Speed ​​drops to 50% of top speed, then you pay half.

Providers: “Consumers will benefit”

The law is specific to the conditions for the payment of a reduced monthly fee. The consumer must make at least 10 measurements in two days. If in both days the speed does not reach at least once 90% of the maximum speed stipulated in the contract, then he has the right to pay less. The same applies in case of prices lower than the minimum price stated in the contract.

But what do telecommunications companies say about the new provisions of the law? Everything shows that they will comply and will not object. However, Jürgen Gritzner, head of the VATM providers’ association, points out that consumers should not focus on speed but on usability. According to the leader, the speeds may be lower than expected, but the consumer can send emails or video files to other users without restrictions. Jürgen Gritzner, however, is convinced that the provisions of the new law “will ultimately benefit consumers”.

Wolf von Devic, dpa

Edited by: Stefanos Georgakopoulos

Source: Deutsche Welle