Telecoms3.12.2008

Neotel is wireless after all

A man recently lodged a consumer complaint against Neotel for allegedly making use of false advertising.

Mr. Matshediso’s complaint was in connection with an advert appearing on Neotel’s website. The statement in question was “One wireless service that allows you to access the Internet, make voice calls and SMS.”

Matshediso claimed that the device is not in fact wireless, and therefore the advert is misleading. The following clauses were cited in the complaint:

Section II, Clause 4.2.1 – Misleading claims

Section IV, Clause 4 – Non-availability of advertised products

It would seem that the entire case boiled down to a misunderstanding on the part of Matshediso. Apparently the man confused wireless with WiFi.

Neotel does not make use of a WiFi network, but rather a wireless CDMA network. Furthermore, the website included a full graphical representation of the proper set-up procedure required to use the Wireless modem.

Neotel’s defense made use of two Wikipedia excerpts which clearly explain the difference between WiFi and Wireless.

The complaint was dismissed, and the official report states that the advert did not contravene either of the clauses cited against it.

Neotel complaint discussion

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