AT&T slapped down for its '5G E' ads: You don't have a 5G network, so stop saying so, says watchdog:
AT&T has been officially slapped down by America's National Advertising Review Board (NARB) for its 5G Evolution campaign in which it branded its phone and network 5G E, despite not actually deploying 5G technology.
"A panel of the National Advertising Review Board has recommended that AT&T Services discontinue its '5G Evolution' and '5G Evolution, The First Step to 5G' claims," the self-regulatory body ruled on Wednesday.
It went on: "The NARB panel determined that both claims will mislead reasonable consumers into believing that AT&T is offering a 5G network and recommended that the claims be discontinued."
Amazingly, despite AT&T being roundly mocked for its campaign – which, among other things, placed a "5GE" logo in the icon-bar along the top of its phones to dress up its 4G network as 5G – AT&T fought against the censure, even appealing a previous recommendation that it stop.
The NARB noted straight though you suspect with a smirk: "It was not disputed that the AT&T network is not a 5G network."
It also disagreed with AT&T that people would realize the "E" meant "Evolution," as in the network will eventually evolve into a 5G network, rather than thinking, er, it's 5G. And the watchdog pointed out, quite reasonably, that "the current prevalent technology in wireless is 4G LTE, and LTE stands for 'evolution'." Bam!
Also at iPhone Hacks, the Mac Observer, and Android Police.
(Score: 2) by Arik on Thursday May 21 2020, @08:55PM (2 children)
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
(Score: 5, Informative) by DannyB on Thursday May 21 2020, @09:52PM
You can switch your service from one liar to another liar. But they are still a liar. Are there any that are not?
People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 21 2020, @10:51PM
ATT are at least reliable, consistent liars. You won't get what they described, but what you do get will actually work... unlike their competitors. I've gone coast to coast with nary a pause in service, Sprint customers can barely go next door...