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The court has ruled that T-Mobile is no longer allowed to mention the price increases of its competitors in advertisements on the radio. VodafoneZiggo had instituted summary proceedings against the provider because of misleading advertisements. The provider stated in its advertisements that it would not increase the price, although this is the case. The judge did not say anything about the use of the price increases in advertisements on other media, such as social media.

VodafoneZiggo and KPN have announced in recent weeks that they will increase their Internet and TV subscription prices by an average of five percent. Part of this is due to price inflation correction, which amounted to 1.7 percent this year. For T-Mobile, these price increases led to its own communications in advertisements and on social media. The company proposes not to increase its own prices and calls for switching.

The reason why T-Mobile’s prices would not rise is because it promised to do so in its merger with Tele2. However, an exception is made for the annual price inflation adjustment. The subscriptions for which TV and Internet are provided have therefore risen in price. This is a maximum price increase of 1.17 euros per month.

Lawsuit

VodafoneZiggo claims that T-Mobile’s statements are misleading and incomplete for that reason. The provider decided to go to the Court in The Hague for interim relief and to institute preliminary relief proceedings.

VodafoneZiggo and T-Mobile now suggest, each in their own statement, that they have won the case. VodafoneZiggo says on its website that it is “pleased” that the judge “prohibits the misleading radio campaign of T-Mobile”. “VodafoneZiggo is not in itself an opponent of comparative advertising, as long as it is fair and the customer is well informed.

But also T-Mobile claims to be “happy” with the judge’s decision. According to T-Mobile itself, the court allowed the Netherlands to “continue to draw attention to the annual general price increases of KPN and VodafoneZiggo”. T-Mobile also states that many customers have already switched to them after the advertisements about the price increase. VodafoneZiggo has not yet responded to the judge’s ruling.

Update 16:09: added statement by VodafoneZiggo.

This news article was automatically translated from Dutch to give Techzine.eu a head start. All news articles after September 1, 2019 are written in native English and NOT translated. All our background stories are written in native English as well. For more information read our launch article.