20.11.2023

ANCOM: At the end of the initial duration, of no more than 24 months, an electronic communications contract may be extended automatically, for a definite or indefinite period. The users may terminate the contract without any penalty, at any time after the expiry of the initial term. Before the automatic extension of the contract, the providers have the obligation to inform the users, in due time and on a durable medium, on the contract termination and the means for its unilateral termination, as well as on the best rates for the services they benefit from.

Extension of electronic communications contracts

As a rule, at the termination of the initial term, i.e. of no more than 24 months, an electronic communications contract is automatically extended for a definite or indefinite period. The electronic communications providers have the obligation to inform the final users on the termination of the contract and the means for its unilateral termination.  

If the users decide to withdraw from the contract at the expiry of the initial period, they will not pay any termination fee. They must however take into account that there usually is a notice period, of no more than 30 days, which refers to the time necessary for processing the termination request. In this case the users will only bear the fees related to the use of the service during the prior notice period.

If a user does not take any steps to terminate the contract, the service he/she uses will continue to be provided. During the automatic extension period, the electronic communications service providers have the obligation to send, at least once a year, information regarding the best rates for the contracted service.

Thus, the users can check if better offers have appeared for the services they enjoy and they may request to renegotiate the contract. The users who choose another offer and conclude a new contract or an addendum to the existing one must know that this often involves the starting of a new minimum contractual period.

If additional services or equipment are added to an ongoing electronic communications services contract, the initial term may be extended only with the consent of the user. In this case, the provider must inform the user about the contracted services, the rates, the duration of the contract, the initial contractual period, the conditions regarding the suspension and reconnection of the services and the conditions for contract termination.

The new contractual period cannot exceed the difference between the contractual period for the new service or additional terminal equipment purchased and the remaining period of the first contract.

What, how and where do you complain

ANCOM may take measures if the contract extension is not performed according to the rules mentioned above or if the user (consumer) does not receive the information on the contract termination and the best rates. The end-users that are microenterprises, small enterprises or non-profit organisations benefit from the same rights as the consumers, unless they have explicitly agreed to waive these rights partly or wholly.  Complaints can be submitted here.

ANCOM InfoCentre

More information regarding the contracts for the provision of publicly available electronic communications services can be found on the ANCOM InfoCentre section. You may also watch a video explaining the conditions for contract extension.