Australia sues three internet providers for allegedly lying to customers

Sydney, Australia, Aug 9 (EFE).- Australian authorities sued the country’s three largest internet providers for allegedly misleading “hundreds of thousands” of customers about the speed of broadband services they provide.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said the appeals filed with the Australia’s Federal Court accused Telstra, Optus and TGP of accepting payments in exchange for service promotions that did not meet the conditions of the plans they offered.

The regulatory body said in a statement that these companies were aware of the problems of these plans offered in a period between Jan. 1, 2019 and Apr. 30, 2020.

The commission said Telstra, Optus and TGP’s plans promised to inform consumers, within a specific or reasonable time, if they were unable to reach the speed for which they were paying through their connection, as well as to give them a cheaper plan or a refund.

“They did not take these (informative) actions and, as a result, many consumers paid more for their (National Broadband Network) plans than they should have,” explained the commission’s President Rod Sims said in a statement. He said consumers take into account the speeds offered when deciding and choosing a particular internet plan.

The commission said the three companies have promised to compensate consumers before the legal process begins. EFE

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