Hundreds of complaints already about new telecoms operator Digi

Telecoms operator Digi has been the subject of hundreds of complaints after just five months in operation, according to telecommunications minister Vanessa Matz (Les Engagés).

Matz said the number of complaints from customers was "excessive" and is ordering social inspection checks and issuing a summons to the company to emphasise that service quality remains a requirement, regardless of an operator’s stage of development.

Digi has amassed at least 300 complaints in five months, according to reports from L’Echo – an especially high number considering the operator’s still-modest size on the Belgian market.

The difficulties encountered by customers mainly concern waiting times to reach customer service, complications with number portability, billing problems and malfunctions when using the service abroad.

The unusual volume of dissatisfaction prompted Matz to demand explanations and immediate measures.

Digi acknowledged problems related to its launch but claimed the situation was under control.

The hundreds of complaints are not the only issue to plague the company since its arrival in Belgium. Five of the 11 executives employed at the launch were ousted back in February amid criticisms regarding security flaws.

According to reports, the company was not fully complying with safety standards, having reportedly cut corners on security and personnel costs.

Digi said the changes within the management team came from a desire to "focus as much as possible on the development and marketing of fixed and mobile networks".

One of the dismissed directors told media that not enough resources had been sent from Romania, where the company’s headquarters are located, and claimed that bills were not being paid.

Digi would not confirm the debt, saying at the time: “We are doing everything we can to pay our suppliers on time. We understand the concern this has caused.

"It’s true that launching a telecoms operator is a challenge, but the Digi group has the experience gained in other countries to succeed in Belgium too."