The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accused Apple of misrepresenting the third generation iPad’s wireless data capabilities by including the term “4G” in product advertising. The country’s cell carriers don’t support the 4G radio frequencies the new iPad uses, but by including the term on the Apple website consumers are led to believe they can get the faster data access LTE offers.
Australia isn’t happy with Apple’s iPad 4G advertising
In its request to force Apple to stop using the 4G term in Australia the agency stated,
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.
Apple’s Australia website does list the new multimedia tablet as “iPad with WiFi + 4G,” although there is a disclaimer stating that 4G support is available only in certain countries and on specific carriers.
According to the ACCC, Apple is violating several sections of the Australian Consumer Law with its iPad advertising and description.
The agency is hoping to get a court order through the Federal Court in Melbourne on Wednesday to force Apple to change its iPad advertising and product description in Australia.
[Thanks to the Sydney Morning Herald for the heads up.]