Orange Romania Threatens To Sue Consumer Protection Over Excessive Fine

05.25.2011 By Tudor Ioana Raluca

Mobile operator Orange Romania considers that the 10,000 lei (about EUR2,500) fine it was given by the Consumer Protection in Cluj for suspending pre-paid cards before they expired is too high compared to the consequences of the deed and the damages caused.

Orange Romania said in a press release Wednesday it reserves the right to contest the fine in court.

On Tuesday, the consumer protection authority in Cluj fined Orange Romania RON10,000 for unfair treatment of clients, after the operator suspended several valid calling cards.

According to the consumer protection, over 50 complaints regarding unjust contract terminations have been filed against Orange Romania since the beginning of the year.

Orange Romania, part of the France Telecom group, is one of the top telecom operators on the Romanian market.

The company had 10.274 million clients at the end of March, down 5% on the year.

Orange Romania's revenues decreased by 6% in the first quarter of 2011, to EUR222 million from EUR237 million in the same interval last year, France Telecom said in May.