Despite featuring 4G LTE technology that is only compatible with US and Canadian networks, the new iPad was still heavily promoted internationally as a ‘4G’ device – a claim which has been challenged as “misleading” by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The ACCC released a statement outlining the planned legal challenge:
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 are seeking correction of Apple’s new iPad 3 advertising, injunctions against the company as well as refunds for customers who believe they were misled about the technical capabilities of the third-generation tablet.
In an effort to head-off any legal proceedings reaching court, Apple have agreed to offer Australian customers a full refund if their purchase was based on the assumption that the iPad 3 would achieve 4G speeds on the Telstra broadband network.