Contentious rise in prices
Vodafone in the Spotlight Over Internet Price Hike: A Mass Lawsuit Unfolds
A vexing issue has arisen surrounding the biggest telecom player, Vodafone, with consumers pouring in to get a piece of the action in the mounting lawsuit. As per the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), over 100,000 individuals have registered their intent in the lawsuit registry of the Federal Office of Justice.
Last year, Vodafone slid a sneaky monthly increase of 5 euros on its fixed-line internet packages, affecting nearly 10 million active customers. Consumer advocates grumble that these price hikes served no just cause.
The vzbv has thrown down the gauntlet, filing a lawsuit with the Higher Regional Court (OLG) in Hamm, demanding that Vodafone refund the excess amount to the affected customers. The company stands firm on its standabout the costs escalation, deriding the allegations as unfounded.
Lawsuit Registry Open Until the End of 2025
The oral hearing is set for December 3, 2025, at the OLG Hamm. If the hearing continues to be a one-off affair, consumers have until December 24 of this year to join the lawsuit through the website www.sammelklagen.de/verfahren/vodafone.
This case at the OLG Hamm (I-12 VKl 1/23) could potentially set a historic precedent, marking the application of a new federal law that strengthens consumer protection. If successful, Vodafone customers may reap the benefits without having to set foot in a courtroom.
It's worth mentioning that searches on the case unearthed another legal battle between Vodafone UK and its retail franchisees, but nothing on a class action lawsuit relating to fixed-line internet price increases. To get up-to-date information on any potential class-action lawsuit, one would need to keep an eye on specific legal updates or consult consumer protection agencies actively handling such matters.
The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) has filed a lawsuit with the Higher Regional Court (OLG) in Hamm, calling for Vodafone to refund the excess amount to the affected customers due to the price hike in their fixed-line internet packages. This case, I-12 VKl 1/23 at the OLG Hamm, could set a historic precedent in the application of a new federal law aimed at strengthening consumer protection.
