Letters | Hong Kong internet providers must offer genuine choice for early contract termination
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In 2010, the Communications Association of Hong Kong promulgated the Industry Code of Practice for Telecommunications Service Contracts to ensure contracts are fair and reasonable for both the consumers and the industry. According to the OFCA web page referring to the code on early contract termination, consumers may choose to terminate their contracts before the expiry of the fixed term and service providers must specify in the contract the fact that a specific charge may apply in the event of early termination.
As a customer of Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HKBN) that has adopted the industry code, I recently moved to a new apartment and asked HKBN to terminate my contract for broadband service early.
Yet, HKBN said the early contract termination charge is the same as the fees payable for the rest of the contract unless I moved to an address where HKBN services are not available. I believe such a policy violates the industry code as it deprives customers of the early contract termination option.
The practice is also anticompetitive as consumers moving to new addresses are not allowed to choose new service providers without paying a price.
I urge the Office of the Communications Authority and the Competition Commission to look into this matter to protect customers and to ensure a level playing field for all broadband service providers in Hong Kong.
Simon Wang, Kowloon Tong