Only a dozen people turned up at a rally in Sofia to protest against what they see as unfair and unfavorable practices of the Bulgarian mobile phone and telecommunications companies.

The protest was organized by two consumer rights structures – the Associations of Telecommunications and Internet Users and Active Consumers Association.

The rally was much smaller than expected as over hundreds of people had supported the cause in Facebook. The procession started at the St. Alexander Nevsky cathedral and culminated at the building of the Communications Regulation Commission.

The protesters declared themselves against several business practices of the Bulgarian mobile phone companies – M-Tel, Globul, and Vivacom. These include the automatic extension of subscription contracts, and large sanctions when contracts are terminated.

The two consumer associations insist on the creation of an ethical code of the mobile phone operations and new legislation to create a consumer board to "discipline" the companies.

They also slammed M-Tel, Globul, and Vivacom for sending automatic Text Messages with promotions and offers at any time of the day or night.

The rallies will be held every month until concrete measures, defending the interests of consumers, are adopted, organizers said.

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