It has been operational for a few days, since last November 9, and the first complaints from users are already arriving, complaining of problems and misconduct. This is the pc and tablet bonus, the 500 euro per family subsidy launched by the government to bridge the digital divide in our country, especially in this phase in which school and work are remote. To collect the negative voices are the consumer associations that in these hours are the reference for the first complaints of citizens. It should be remembered that the pc and tablet bonus, unlike other incentives such as the holiday bonus or the mobility bonus, is not “discounted” by the price to be paid but is included in a “package” of proposals that is conveyed by the telephone companies. These have put on the market ad hoc proposals concerning PCs and tablets with the bonus. Most of the complaints received in these hours concern the quality of the products (PCs and tablets) made available to the beneficiaries. And the Internet connection speed that often does not meet the promises.
Consumerismo No Profit, a consumer association specializing in technology states that “the decree on the PC and tablet bonus provides that devices sold by telephone operators must have very specific technical characteristics and minimum quality standards: however, it is impossible to find low-cost products on the market that comply with the requirements set by Infratel while at the same time falling within the maximum ceiling of 300 euros as a bonus for the material purchase of a PC or
a tablet “.
The quality too high
What is it specifically about? “Among the mandatory technical features provided by Infratel is the webcam of at least 8 megapixels which must be equipped with a PC or Tablet: it is practically impossible to find low-cost devices with this requirement on the market – explains Luigi Gabriele, president of the association. for consumer protection: -. This is leading operators to sell substandard and low-quality products to consumers or, as in the case of a well-known telecommunications operator, to resort to technical artifices, providing users with a low-cost computer that does not meet the required requirements together with a external webcam which, on the other hand, complies with the law, in order to circumvent the constraints established by the decree “.
Connection speed
Then there is the question of the connection speed which, according to the provisions of the Bonus Pc, must be equal to at least 30 Mbps: it is a pity that often telephone companies promise such a connection only on paper, because in reality, if you make one ” speed-test ”, the speed is lower. “We had already made Marco Bellezza, CEO of Infratel aware of the critical issues related to the Bonus Pc, but we only received angry responses to our requests – continues Luigi Gabriele – In light of the poor quality of the devices sold to users and the failure to comply with the requirements technicians required by law, Consumerism No Profit is evaluating a complaint to the Court of Auditors for possible damage to the tax authorities ».
Assistance
Codacons is also on the alert, which will monitor the behavior of telephone operators, including on the after-sales service front, “because too often those who activate contracts are then abandoned in the event of problems – says the association -. The decree obliges users to contact telephone companies and activate the fixed line but does not oblige operators to provide constant and high quality assistance ».
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