Spark pleads guilty to Fair Trading Act breaches
Spark has pleaded guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act, despite previously suggesting the Commerce Commission was being heavyhanded in pressing charges. The competition watchdog laid 11 charges against the telecommunications company in July for overcharging current and former customers. Spark managing director Simon Moutter expressed disappointment at the time, saying the charges stemmed from ‘‘genuine mistakes’’. The company had hoped to avoid court by acknowledging the mistakes and offering money to charity. Spark has said the over-billing stemmed from the incorrect implementation of a ‘‘welcome credit’’ for 463 customers who signed up to ultra-fast broadband in 2016, and an issue relating to a 30-day notice period when customers left.