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@ 2012/03/29Just a day after the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission filed a complaint over Apple's 4G/LTE marketing in the new iPad, Sweden is considering an investigation of its own. The Swedish Consumer Agency says it has received a number of complaints from iPad buyers about the device's LTE capabilities—LTS is only available in the US—and is now weighing whether it wants to open its own investigation into Apple's marketing practices.
"One may rightfully ask if the marketing of the new iPad is misleading," Swedish Consumer Agency lawyer Marek Andersson told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. "The question is whether this information is clear enough in Apple’s marketing."
Apple's LTE-equipped iPad went on sale on March 16, but the company doesn't sell different versions of the device in different countries. Although the WiFi+4G version of the iPad only works on LTE networks in the US, it's capable of functioning on 3G GSM networks worldwide. Apple does provide disclaimers on its site stating as much and, at least in Australia, WiFi+4G iPad boxes come with stickers that explicitly state the product is "not compatible with Australian 4G LTE networks, and will only operate at up to 3G speeds in Australia."
This hasn't stopped Australian consumers from buying the new iPad with the expectation that it would function on Telstra's LTE network, and Apple has offered to refund any buyers who felt they were misled about the iPad's 4G capabilities. The same will likely prove true in Sweden—customers do have access to an LTE network via TeliaSonera, but the iPad won't be able to make use of it—and it's a near guarantee that Apple will also offer refunds to disappointed Swedish customers.
Apple did not immediately respond to our requests for comment.
"One may rightfully ask if the marketing of the new iPad is misleading," Swedish Consumer Agency lawyer Marek Andersson told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. "The question is whether this information is clear enough in Apple’s marketing."
Apple's LTE-equipped iPad went on sale on March 16, but the company doesn't sell different versions of the device in different countries. Although the WiFi+4G version of the iPad only works on LTE networks in the US, it's capable of functioning on 3G GSM networks worldwide. Apple does provide disclaimers on its site stating as much and, at least in Australia, WiFi+4G iPad boxes come with stickers that explicitly state the product is "not compatible with Australian 4G LTE networks, and will only operate at up to 3G speeds in Australia."
This hasn't stopped Australian consumers from buying the new iPad with the expectation that it would function on Telstra's LTE network, and Apple has offered to refund any buyers who felt they were misled about the iPad's 4G capabilities. The same will likely prove true in Sweden—customers do have access to an LTE network via TeliaSonera, but the iPad won't be able to make use of it—and it's a near guarantee that Apple will also offer refunds to disappointed Swedish customers.
Apple did not immediately respond to our requests for comment.
