Vodafone Germany ordered by Bnetza to lower its number portability fee to maximum €3,58
In Germany, mobile operators are allowed to charge a fee for the portability of phone numbers. This fee is known as the “Portierungsgebühr” or “portability fee” and is typically charged when a customer switches from one mobile operator to another while keeping their phone number. The Federal Network Agency has declared a fee of Vodafone Germany ineffective, which was charged for the entrainment of a mobile number to mobile service providers. At the same time, a reduced fee of 3.58 euros (net) was ordered. Vodafone Germany portability fee
The Federal Network Agency, Bnetza, had ex officio the fee for a review. The fee was determined on the basis of European price comparison. Vodafone was free to charge a lower or no fee for the service.
The decision directly concerns only the fees that Vodafone Germany may charge other mobile service providers for the porting of a mobile phone number. Nevertheless, the charges of all mobile service providers operating on the market are to be measured on the basis of the price ceiling that has now been determined. The decision thus has a signal effect on all other mobile service providers.
Since the charges agreed between the providers are usually passed on to the end customer, the Federal Network Agency will now also subject the charges charged by the mobile service providers to the end customer for taking along a mobile phone number to review. According to the current decision, significant reductions should also be expected there. Vodafone Germany portability fee
It’s worth noting that the portability fee is only charged when a customer switches from one mobile operator to another while keeping their phone number. If a customer cancels their contract or switches to a new number within the same mobile operator, no portability fee is charged.
The portability fee is intended to encourage competition among mobile operators and to give consumers more freedom to switch between providers without losing their phone numbers. However, critics argue that the fee can be a barrier to switching and can discourage consumers from seeking better deals or services from other providers.
