A1 Croatia Announces 6.9 Percent Monthly Fee Increase in June 2024, Citing Inflation and Index Clause: How to Protect Yourself from Rising Prices

In June 2024, A1 Hrvatska announced that they would be increasing monthly fees for users by 6.9 percent. The company cited the rising costs of business operations as one of the main reasons for this decision. The increase applies to the full amount of monthly fees for tariffs, packages, and options without any calculated discounts.

The index clause is a common practice in various industries, including telecommunications, and is used in many EU countries. According to regulations, A1 Croatia notified the regulator, 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 2023, A1 Hrvatska applied an 8.5 percent increase in fees in July, which was lower than the official inflation rate for the previous year. Other telecom companies in Croatia also utilized the index clause to adjust prices in line with inflation. However, it is unclear whether or not A1 has decided to apply the index clause for 2024 yet.

It is important for users to familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions of their service providers when applying clauses such as this one on their contracts.