Change your old mobiles to newer models at almost 700 places with funding from NMHH

Published: 9 February 2022

Outdated 3G-enabled mobile devices will be replaceable to modern, at least 4G-enabled phones at almost 700 dealerships of almost fifty dealers all around Hungary. The programme managed by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) will provide HUF 20 thousand grant for this.

Dealer registration for the mobile device replacement funding programme of NMHH ended on 31 January. As a result of widespread interest, support will be available in nearly 700 places across the country from 14 February. In the first phase of the programme users may receive grants of HUF 20 000 to replace first their used 3G-, then from May their 2G-enabled mobile devices when purchasing new, at least 4G-enabled devices. The goal of the initiative is to ensure the owners of used, outdated devices to use the opportunities of fast and comfortable mobile communication. First and foremost, the authority’s aim is to help people in need to replace their devices, therefore the grant can be used for devices worth no more than HUF 120 000. To claim the funding, one must hand in their old devices at the dealers, who will ensure their disposal.

Besides national retail chains, mobile service providers and electronics stores, a number of smaller mobile phone dealerships also take part in the NMHH funding programme. The final list of joining stores is already available at the IDEFA Mobile Replacement Programme website of the International Development and Fund Coordination Agency (IDEFA) cooperating in the implementation of the programme, and from 14 February it will be searchable including a map function on the NMHH’s specific information portal Netrefel.hu

Background to the device replacement funding

The mobile device replacement programme was initiated by the infocommunications authority because market expectations and mobile service providers' statements suggest that 3G technology will be phased out in Hungary between 2022 and the first half of 2023. For the infocommunications authority it is of particular importance that consumers are well-prepared for the technology change, therefore it initiated the funding scheme with a budget of HUF 5 billion to replace outdated mobile phones. Every natural person who has an active device enabling no higher than 3G reception and has a place of residence in Hungary is eligible for the grant.

NMHH will provide detailed information about the background of the programme, the technical and administrative conditions of claiming the grant, and about practical information about the devices on its Netrefel.hu information page.