Consumers, including those without invoice records, may be eligible for compensation since data can be retrieved from operators' systems, and the total refund could grow after further adjustments.

The legal action originated from consumer complaints about inadequate communication regarding price increases and cancellation rights following the 2016 amendments to the electronic communications law, which mandated clearer notifications about contract changes.

The regulator, Anacom, found the operators' communications deficient and ordered them to be repeated, but did not require refunds, leading Deco to initiate a lawsuit in 2018 that resulted in a favorable court decision.

The court declared the operators' communications about price increases during 2016-2017 null because they failed to inform customers properly or provide the right to cancel without penalties; however, the decision is not final and can be appealed.

Deco won a legal case against telecom providers Meo, Nos, and Nowo, which could result in approximately 40 million euros being refunded to consumers for unjustified price hikes during that period.

Between August and September 2016, customers received notifications of price hikes that were nearly 1,000% above inflation, but these lacked clear details on charges and cancellation rights, leading to subsequent increases without proper consumer guidance.

The total amount to be refunded was calculated based on the unjustified monthly increases over the period, with an estimated total of around 40 million euros, which could increase with interest from 2018.

A Deco representative expressed confidence in a favorable outcome for consumers and highlighted that even those without receipts might be eligible for compensation, as data can be retrieved from operators' systems, emphasizing the decision's symbolic importance for market trust.

The consumer organization has not yet engaged directly with telecom operators regarding the ruling, which is currently being handled through legal channels, but views the decision as a symbolic step toward making the telecom market more trustworthy and encouraging consumer confidence.

A court ruling has potentially affected around 1.6 million consumers, who could recover between 14 and 30 euros each, plus interest from 2018, with the total refunds estimated near 40 million euros, though this amount could increase as calculations are refined.