The decision came in a case involving German online retailer Comtech. It offers customer service on a 0180 non-geographic number. A German consumer group brought the case, and it was referred to the EU court over the interpretation of the EU directive on consumer protection.
The directive says that businesses cannot charge more than a 'basic rate' for service calls, but the level of such a tariff is not defined. The court ruled that such as rate, for calls to a trader over a contract agreed with such trader on a line set up by the trader, may not exceed the cost of a call to a standard geographic landline or mobile number.
Higher rates could prevent consumers for asserting their rights under the contract, the court noted. It added as well that it was irrelevant whether the trader made a profit from the service line, event at standard calling rates.
