According to the new telecom norms, starting February 25, contracts signed by telecom operators with their clients will include several mandatory consumer protection clauses, reads the press release.
The new regulations set a maximum threshold for the initial duration of the contract and make changes regarding distance contracts.
According to ANCOM, the initial duration of an electronic communications service contract signed with end consumers may not exceed 24 months.
Telecom service contracts must also include provisions regarding the restrictions operators apply concerning the use of terminal equipment, the measures they may take in case of security threats or other incidents, as well as information regarding data administration procedures to avoid network congestion.
Contracts must also include the telecom service providers’ identity data, the services they offer, the quality of services, tariffs and the way they are applied, the technical assistance offered, the duration of the contract, contract renewal and termination conditions, damages paid if contractual clauses are not observed, as well as settlement procedures.
According to the new regulations, Internet service contracts must include clauses concerning quality parameters: nominal/maximum data transfer speed, the minimum guaranteed speed, data transfer variation or delay and the packet loss rate.
Internet providers will publish on their websites quarterly, starting April 25, the values of these quality indicators.
The new clauses apply both to contracts to be signed starting February 25 and to contracts that have already been signed.
Under the new norms, ANCOM will monitor and check distance contracts signed between telecom operators and clients.
The telecom regulator may penalize operators that fail to meet these requirements.
The new provisions are stated in Government Emergency Ordinance 111/2011 on communications services.