VodafoneZiggo does not yet offer free choice of modem everywhere in the Netherlands. In doing so, the company violates rules that came into effect at the beginning of this year. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) gives the internet provider until 1 July to fix everything, otherwise a penalty of 12,500 euros per day will follow.
Since January 28 of this year, customers of internet providers must be able to choose for themselves which modems or routers they use. But some Ziggo customers do not yet have that option.
A spokesperson for VodafoneZiggo informs NU.nl that the provider has until July to make free choice of modem possible everywhere. The threat of periodic penalty payments is intended to increase the pressure so that the rules are quickly complied with.
If VodafoneZiggo does not comply with the rules on 1 July, a penalty of 12,500 euros will be imposed for each day that this is not changed. The fine can be up to a maximum of 500,000 euros.
A VodafoneZiggo spokesperson does not think it will come to that and expects that on 1 July everyone will have access to free modem choice. Customers who do not yet have the option live in areas where UPC networks were previously located. “That network is technically constructed differently, so there is more work there to introduce the option of its own modem.”
According to the provider, the vast majority of customers now have the freedom to choose a modem or router themselves. It is unclear how many customers do not yet have this option.
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