Matav, leading telecom company in Hungary, subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, responsible for the majority of internet connections in the country, at the end of Arpil declared they would withdraw their flat-rate dial-up access package (the "Mindenkinek" tariff package and the 150 HUF per session discount) from 1 July 2002, which would mean excluding a large number of Hungarians from using the net. The flat-rate packages, largely instrumental in spreading Internet use countrywide since 1999, were tolerable but not cheap. A rise in the prices would bereave many homes of Internet access, broadband connection being unaffordable for many of those who chose dial-up service.

Last year there was a similar situation and society's answer was the threat of a mass demonstration. That was enough to have Matav refrain from their drastic plan, but now there are fears that the company will carry out its plan this time. Freshly elected socialist governing party (waiting for inauguration at the time of the declaration), National Association of Consumer Protection, Telecommunications Interest Checking Forum and a society of Internet lawyers expressed their dislike of Matav's decision, saying this step would set back the development of Hungarian information society. As for civil initiatives, Association for the Protection of Net Users' Rights has been founded, a boycott against Matav was held on 17 May (radicals also propose refusing to buy German products), there was a public demonstration in the capital in front of Matav headquarters on 25 May, and an online petition has been signed by more than 12.000 people since 29 April.

From "Mind the Gap: Appeal for Internet Access in Hungary at a reasonable price"

For more about Internet Rights and access in Hungary, read: The APC European Internet Rights Project: Country Report - Hungary (2001)