Both companies have been convicted and fined for breaches in their code of conduct and blatantly ripping off some of their customers by continuously overcharging them.
Following an investigation by industry watchdog Comreg that uncovered a litany of customer-related issues, the telecom giants, plus Three Ireland, all pleaded guilty to charges under Section 45 of the Communications Act.
Vodafone has been fined €10,000 and Eircom received fines for a total of €21,000. Three Ireland will be spared a conviction if they donate €15,000 to charity by September 28.
On passing sentence, the judge highlighted Eircom’s code of practice in particular as a “joke”.