In 2024, A1 Croatia will be increasing its monthly fees for users by 6.9 percent. The decision to apply this increase is based on the company’s index clause, in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions and the average annual inflation rate for 2023. Notifications were sent to users 30 days before the implementation of the increase, informing them that the average annual inflation rate in Croatia for 2023 was 8 percent.
The rise in fees applies to the full amount of monthly fees for tariffs, packages, and options without any calculated discounts. A1 Croatia cited several factors that led to this decision, including rising costs of business operations such as network infrastructure purchases and energy prices. Despite this, the company chose to increase fees by only 6.9 percent instead of the official inflation rate of 8 percent.
It’s important to note that A1 Croatia is not alone in using an index clause to adjust prices based on inflation rates. This practice is common across various industries, including telecommunications, and is also used by many EU countries. As per regulations, A1 notified HAKOM agency about the price changes at least 30 days in advance. Users were informed that they do not have the option to terminate their contracts without compensation due to the application of the index clause.
In July 2023, A1 Hrvatska applied an 8.5 percent increase in fees which was lower than the official inflation rate for that year. Other telecom companies like HT and Tele2 also utilized this practice to adjust their prices accordingly. The decision on applying an index clause for 2024 has not been made yet by these companies.
Users are advised to familiarize themselves with their service provider’s terms and conditions regarding such clauses on their contracts so they can make informed decisions about their subscriptions or services.
Overall, while it may be frustrating for users who must pay higher prices for their telecom services, it’s important to understand why these increases are necessary and how they work within industry standards and regulations.