Free is in the crosshairs of the UFC choose

Free is in the crosshairs of the UFC - choose. According to our information, the association for the defence of consumers assigned the company Friday before the tribunal de grande instance of Paris in an accelerated procedure, and calls for 535.000 EUR damages in compensation for the damage caused to the collective interest of consumers. " If the impugned practices were sanctioned by the law of competition, relativizes the UFC-Que choose, the fine could rise to 10 of its turnover is EUR 96 million! The second French Internet access provider is reproached "for many and varied practices unlawful and unfair" in ADSL. Free did not comment Friday night.

The inventor of the "triple play" (Internet, TV, telephone) and the package to 29.99 euros per month, which today has nearly 3.7 million subscribers, is found on the dock for a few days of dropping, in all likelihood, the fourth mobile telephony licence. If the procedure is deemed admissible, the hearing will be held March 9. Gaëlle Patetta, legal Director of the association would like to make an example: "Among all operators, sometimes there are things that do not, but they grind the shooting after a court decision." Free had already been convicted several times, but is clearly not the intention. We want to stop this impunity and avoid that the competitors do like them.

"It share in every sense."

The UFC-Que choose itself had seized justice on the "hotline" for Free, always surtaxée a few weeks ago, while prohibited by Chatel Law of 2008. This time, the consumer advocate went through the General conditions of sale, the tariff brochure, the website of the mark, and advertisements. "With Free, this part really in every sense", notes Gaëlle Patetta. Small inventory:

When a consumer subscribes for Free, always via the Web site, the "Service Plus" box is précochée, while this option costs 9.99 euros per month. And, at the end of the procedure, the cost remains posted to 29.99 per month then that the Subscriber will pay well 39,98 EUR per month for a year if it was not unchecked the box.

If the client wants to cancel his subscription, Chatel Law provides a period of maximum termination of 10 days, then that, on its Web site, Free account, him, a month. Other clauses are likely to deter the Subscriber leave: If the subscriber wishes to terminate his contract, he shall pay 96 euros, minus 3 euros per month of seniority. But the slightest change of contract (application of an another Freebox, move...) presents the counter to 96 euros.

The means of payment would also be problematic. Also the fact that the operator does not invoice paper issue, Free imposes the automatic debit to the bank account of the client. If the customer refuses and opts for another possibility, it must then make a deposit of 400 euros and pay 4 euros in addition to the subscription each month.

The price of 29.99 euros per month is a floor price and not a price ceiling: the calls to mobile phones or special numbers not included in the subscription. This is the case of other service providers but they are not their advertising by saying "it was Free, he understood everything..." For the UFC - That choose, prices are not also "attractive" as advertised. No more that are "exclusive" some services presented as such: the Wi - Fi fast, the radio on the TV, the television on several positions, parental control software are also offered by competitors.

However, since 2008, the number of complaints about the malfunctioning of the Internet tends to decrease in France. In 2007, the French Association of Telecom users (Afutt) identified 6.759 complaints for problems with subscriptions to the Internet. This figure was more than to 4.647 for 2008. Evidence that the quality of services of access providers tends to improve.