Poland's competition watchdog, UOKiK, has levied a substantial fine of PLN 80.8 million (€19.1 million) against Vectra. The penalty stems from what UOKiK deems unlawful increases to subscription fees for the company's television and internet services. In addition to the fine, Vectra is mandated to compensate affected customers.
UOKiK determined that Vectra had been unilaterally altering contract terms for several years. This was achieved by incorporating a modification clause into existing agreements and utilizing it, in conjunction with an "inflation clause," to raise monthly fees. These actions occurred despite previous interventions by the regulatory body concerning similar practices. The operator had already faced fines exceeding PLN 22 million in 2022 for contract changes and illegal price hikes, as well as over PLN 68 million in 2024 for inflation-linked clauses that were deemed abusive.
Once the decision is finalized, Vectra must cease using the contested provisions. Furthermore, the company must return the value of the increases to customers, either through refunds or bill discounts for current subscribers. Former customers are slated to receive cash payments. In response, Vectra issued a statement asserting that it "disagrees" with the ruling and maintains that its actions were in compliance with both UOKiK’s earlier guidance and Poland’s new telecoms law.
The company argues it faces a “regulatory stalemate”, being required to include clauses allowing unilateral changes but subsequently penalized for utilizing them. It also claims it is effectively being fined twice for the same 2019–2020 contract changes. President Paweł Dlouchy also dismissed the regulator’s suggestion that Vectra terminate and individually renegotiate contracts with hundreds of thousands of customers as “practically unfeasible”, pointing to cumulative inflation of more than 50% since 2019 as a key driver for the price adjustments.