Apple Accused of Misleading Australian Customers With iPad '4G' Claims

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Posted March 27, 2012 at 1:55pm by iClarified

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is seeking an order against Apple for alleged misleading iPad "4G" claims. The commission will ask the Federal Court for injunctions, pecuniary penalties, corrective advertising and refunds to consumers affected.

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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will be making an application to the Federal Court in Melbourne tomorrow at 9:30am for orders against Apple Pty Limited and Apple Inc (Apple) for alleged contraventions of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

The ACCC alleges that Apple's recent promotion of the new "iPad with WiFi + 4G" is misleading because it represents to Australian consumers that the product "iPad with WiFi + 4G" can, with a SIM card, connect to a 4G mobile data network in Australia, when this is not the case.

The ACCC alleges that Apple's conduct contravenes sections 18, 29(1)(a), 29(1)(g) and 33 of the ACL.

The ACCC is seeking urgent interlocutory relief to ensure consumers are made aware of the correct technical capabilities of this device.

Additionally the ACCC is seeking final orders including injunctions, pecuniary penalties, corrective advertising and refunds to consumers affected.

Consumers who have purchased or are considering purchasing an "iPad with WiFi + 4G" should ensure that they have a proper understanding of the mobile data networks which this iPad can directly access by a SIM card.
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Apple website does note that the new iPad only supports 4G on a few networks in North America when selecting a model for purchase. The site reads:

The iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G model can roam worldwide on fast GSM/UMTS networks, including HSPA, HSPA+, and DC-HSDPA. When you travel internationally, you can use a micro-SIM card from a local carrier. You can also connect to the 4G LTE networks of AT&T in the U.S. and Bell, Rogers, and Telus in Canada.

Read More [via MacRumors]

Apple Accused of Misleading Australian Customers With iPad '4G' Claims

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Kr00 - March 28, 2012 at 9:08am

So if you guys in the US bought a 4G iPad and found out you could only use the 4G part of it in Australia, you wouldn't be angry?

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Ahmed Osama - March 28, 2012 at 1:28pm

The problem is the "found out" part, it's not something based on tests, it's facts. I live in Egypt now and we don't have 4G networks yet, so when I buy The New iPad, I won't expect it to work on 4G speeds, although I know it has it. This is something featured by the carrier, and supported by the device. It's not Apple's issue my friend.

Ahmed Osama - March 28, 2012 at 2:59am

I don't think it even need to be asked about. I guess it's pretty obvious that the 4G network is featured by the carrier, and it's supported by the device, but if the carrier doesn't support it, then what should the iPad do?? generates some speeds 4 u??? :S I don't know what are you really people trying to do.

Ahmed Osama - March 28, 2012 at 2:57am

I like ur comment, but there is no lilke button here :D

Adcpolo - March 27, 2012 at 6:13pm

They should also advertise it as 5G... What the heck.. Can't use it anyway

Eric - March 27, 2012 at 3:41pm

Uhm, so it clearly states that it will only be 4G for certain providers yet its Apples fault somehow? Seems like a waste of time, money and resources on the people behind this.

Yup - March 27, 2012 at 4:07pm

They actually do have a point. The ad basically says, "iPad 4G!*" * Won't work unless you take a plane for about 20 hours to another continent. If they were advertising this in the USA and I had to go to Australia to use it, it would basically be false advertising. In USA and Canada it should say 4G. On other countries Apple sites, it should say 3G and under the asterisk, it should say in USA and Canada it is 4G.

Jakontil - March 27, 2012 at 2:38pm

Oh please....