The Government, in transposing the European Code of Electricity Communications, has announced that it has extended the time constraint to fixed network contracts. No more 12 but 24 months, that is double the initial proposal. Let’s find out the details.
Fixed network time constraint extended
What initially seemed like a simple idea has now become reality. As announced, users will be able to sign contracts with telephone operators for up to 24 months. Pending the publication of the decree in the Official Gazette, it is possible to anticipate some of the information approved by the Government during the legislative process.
One of the most talked about aspects was the maximum duration of the contract. At the beginning they were expected to be 12 months but it was then possible to obtain the lock-in period doubled up to 24 months. However, telephone operators must also have available to customers offers with constraints limited to 12 months which, as you can imagine, will boast different rates.
The reason for this change is the push towards a predominantly FTTH network, that is to say fiber to the home. Without placing a time limit on contracts, there is a risk that there are customers who, even today, use a connection less powerful (maybe still in copper). The risk increases the moment these customers are likely to do not switch to FTTH connection in a timely manner when it arrives in their area: this is because they will still have to complete the natural commercial cycle of the contract signed with their operator.
The full extension of the FTTH network is planned for 2026 (if we want to be optimistic). However, the Government wanted to act immediately to try to prevent difficult situations for the customers. The first proposal was therefore to offer a maximum period of 12 months. In the end, however, a compromise was reached by going up to 24.
For more details, you can consult this document online.