Vodafone Cracks Down on Unauthorized Cable TV Usage After Law Change

The end of a decades-old regulation has led to significant customer losses for Vodafone, prompting stricter enforcement against unpaid signal use.

Vodafone is disconnecting TV signals for households using its service without a valid contract, following the expiration of the 'Nebenkostenprivileg' law in July 2024.
The now-defunct law previously allowed landlords to bundle TV costs into rental agreements, benefiting Vodafone by ensuring widespread customer access.
Since the law's repeal, Vodafone has lost approximately four million TV customers, while competitors like Deutsche Telekom have gained only a fraction of that number.
Vodafone claims to have repeatedly informed affected households about the need for new contracts but acknowledges that some users may be unaware or have ignored the changes.
The company is offering bundled TV and internet contracts to win back customers, though it continues to face challenges in a shrinking TV market.