Federal Network Agency threatens postal service with fines due to increase in complaints / BNetzA President Müller reports rise - "If violations are not effectively rectified, we will impose coercive fines"

Osnabrück (ots) – The Federal Network Agency has threatened Deutsche Post with a fine for the first time due to the massive increase in complaints. "We've given Deutsche Post a yellow card. If they don't remedy the situation, they'll receive a red card with coercive fines," said agency president Klaus Müller in an interview with the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (NOZ). The Federal Network Agency gained new powers with the amendment to the Postal Act. "And we will use them. If violations are not effectively rectified, we will impose coercive fines." A fine of up to 10 million euros would be legally possible. By August, the agency had received 38,760 complaints, compared to 27,693 in the same period last year. "That's an increase of a third," Müller told the "NOZ." The problems are particularly prevalent in Schleswig-Holstein, in Husum, Lübeck, Flensburg, and Kiel. There have also been spikes in complaints in Berlin and Brandenburg. Deutsche Post cited a strained operational situation, meaning there is a shortage of staff to deliver letters and parcels. "Which customers are paying for, as postage was only recently increased," the Federal Network Agency President continued. "At least we can see that the peak in complaints in July has passed." Deutsche Post has recruited additional staff who are currently being trained. "After more than 9,000 complaints in July, the numbers are now back at a somewhat lower level." However, the Christmas season is still to come. Press contact: Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung Editorial Department Telephone: +49(0)541/310 207 Original content from: Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, transmitted by news aktuell Original report: https://www.presseportal.de/pm/58964/6149288