While 4G LTE connectivity on Apple’s latest iPad is no doubt a welcome feature, unfortunately due to different radio bands and the fact that 4G LTE is not as widespread around the world compared to the US, many countries have protested Apple’s use of the 4G branding for the iPad. It started off in Australia and now it looks like the UK’s consumer watchdog, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), will be publishing an informal adjudication after receiving numerous complaints from customers who felt that Apple was misleading with its 4G advertising. Speaking to GigaOM:
We received 40 complaints about claims for the iPad with Wi-Fi and 4G that appeared on Apple (UK) Ltd’s website […] Complainants challenged whether the references to 4G were misleading, because they understood that 4G was not currently available in the UK.
Some of the complainants also challenged the description of the iPad as 4G because they did not believe that the iPad would be compatible with 4G networks when they were introduced in the future.
When we approached Apple with the concerns that had been raised, it stated it had removed references to 4G from the web page that was subject to the complaints. Apple also agreed to edit a video that contained references to 4G. On the basis that the issues that had been raised with us had been resolved, we closed the case informally.
However it seems that the main page of Apple still has traces of 4G marketing and instead directs customers down to the fine print below the page where it reads, “4G LTE is supported only on AT&T and Verizon networks in the US, and on Bell, Rogers and Telus networks in Canada. See your carrier for details.” Will Apple defend the 4G title like they did in Australia, or will they eventually cave in to the ASA’s demands?
Filed in . Read more about iPad.