Apple has been forced to withdraw its claims that the iPad has ’4G’ capabilities in the UK by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) because there are no available 4G networks in Britain.
Even when these networks are introduced to the UK infrastructure the tablet will not be compatible with the system because of the new iPad’s 4G chip, which operates on different frequencies to US and Canadian networks.
The ASA received over 40 complaints about the issue and earlier this year Apple removed 4G references from its webpages and edited any affected videos.
At the time an ASA spokesman said: “When we approached Apple with the concerns that had been raised, it stated it had removed references to 4G from the webpage 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, he added: “We have since been contacted by several complainants who have identified other potentially problematic claims about the iPad and 4G on Apple’s website. We are currently assessing these new complaints. If it appears that the problem claims we asked Apple to remove are still appearing, we will investigate these new complaints.”
Previously advertised as ‘Wi-Fi + 4G’, the iPad will now be advertised as ‘Wi-Fi + Cellular’ instead.
The 4G complaints were also mirrored in Australia – Apple has had to withdraw its 4G claims following the Competition and Consumer Commission’s decision that the advertisements were not fair to customers.
