The widest 3G network in South Africa battle

The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) has ruled that Vodacom may not claim to have the “widest 3G network” in South Africa. This followed a complaint by MTN.

A Vodacom print advertisement stated that “Get extra data on the widest 3G network … surf more, download more and stay connected 24/7”.

MTN lodged a complaint with the ASA against Vodacom’s “widest 3G network” statement, arguing that the claim is unsubstantiated and misleading.

MTN said that Vodacom may have the widest coverage in some regions, but it does not have the widest coverage across all regions.

MTN further said that coverage methodology needs to be considered when assessing such claims.

Vodacom responded, saying that it has a substantially wider network than MTN. This, the company said, is evident from the published coverage numbers by all networks, and the actual number of towers deployed by each network.

Vodacom showed that it deployed 6,649 3G towers, whereas MTN has 4,768 3G towers. “These published figures also support the published claims of 90.1% (Vodacom) and 67.7% (MTN) 3G coverage respectively,” Vodacom said.

The ASA was not convinced that a higher number of 3G towers automatically translates into wider coverage.

source:mybroadband.co

the widest 3G network in south africa battle

The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) has ruled that Vodacom may not claim to have the “widest 3G network” in South Africa. This followed a complaint by MTN.

A Vodacom print advertisement stated that “Get extra data on the widest 3G network … surf more, download more and stay connected 24/7”.

MTN lodged a complaint with the ASA against Vodacom’s “widest 3G network” statement, arguing that the claim is unsubstantiated and misleading.

MTN said that Vodacom may have the widest coverage in some regions, but it does not have the widest coverage across all regions.

MTN further said that coverage methodology needs to be considered when assessing such claims.

Vodacom responded, saying that it has a substantially wider network than MTN. This, the company said, is evident from the published coverage numbers by all networks, and the actual number of towers deployed by each network.

Vodacom showed that it deployed 6,649 3G towers, whereas MTN has 4,768 3G towers. “These published figures also support the published claims of 90.1% (Vodacom) and 67.7% (MTN) 3G coverage respectively,” Vodacom said.

The ASA was not convinced that a higher number of 3G towers automatically translates into wider coverage.

The ASA said that, for a claim of having the widest 3G network to be substantiated, Vodacom needs to show that:

1. It is correct to include all sites that transmit at -100dBm in its “3G” calculations;
2. It is true that Vodacom has more of these sites than any of its competitors; and
3. That these sites are spread wider and more comprehensively across the country than any of its competitors.

“At best, the information shows that Vodacom has more sites transmitting at -100dBm than MTN, but this is as far as it goes,

source: www.mybroadband.co

mango called out over wifi services

Mango, the low-cost South African Airways subsidiary, has been forced to withdraw all advertising of its in-flight WiFi services after a passenger complained that he was unable to access the service.

Mango launched its in-flight WiFi service in the first half of 2012.

One Mr Kowen lodged a consumer complaint against Mango Airlines for its Internet and print advertising promoting the airline’s on-board wireless services.

He said that he had specifically chosen Mango instead of his preferred airline because of the service, and had to forego loyalty points as a result. This decision, he said, was solely based on the advertised WiFi in-flight internet.

“However, the two aircraft used did not have working WiFi. According to flight crew on one aircraft, the WiFi had not been working for more than a month. This clearly makes the promise of on-board WiFi misleading,” the complainant said.

According to the Mango adverts: “G-Connect will provide access to the Internet via 3G, WiFi, ADSL and In-Flight WiFi, with a single online account. There is no need for separate accounts from separate service providers and you can sign up for free at www.gconnect.co.za”.

An advert on the plane itself read: “Wi-Fi Internet available on this flight”.

The ASA took into consideration a charge of misleading claims by the airline, and the non-availability of advertised products.

In its defense, Mango submitted that the complainant has a choice of several airlines in South Africa to provide transportation between two cities.

source: www.bussiness.co

Mango not fulfilling its Wi-Fi promise

Mango, the low-cost South African Airways subsidiary, has been forced to withdraw all advertising of its in-flight WiFi services after a passenger complained that he was unable to access the service.

Mango launched its in-flight WiFi service in the first half of 2012.

One Mr Kowen lodged a consumer complaint against Mango Airlines for its Internet and print advertising promoting the airline’s on-board wireless services.

He said that he had specifically chosen Mango instead of his preferred airline because of the service, and had to forego loyalty points as a result. This decision, he said, was solely based on the advertised WiFi in-flight internet.

“However, the two aircraft used did not have working WiFi. According to flight crew on one aircraft, the WiFi had not been working for more than a month. This clearly makes the promise of on-board WiFi misleading,” the complainant said.

According to the Mango adverts: “G-Connect will provide access to the Internet via 3G, WiFi, ADSL and In-Flight WiFi, with a single online account. There is no need for separate accounts from separate service providers.

An advert on the plane itself read: “Wi-Fi Internet available on this flight”.

The ASA took into consideration a charge of misleading claims by the airline, and the non-availability of advertised products.

In its defense, Mango submitted that the complainant has a choice of several airlines in South Africa to provide transportation between two cities.

“While true that the WiFi was not working on any of his four flights, this is due to maintenance and repairs that were necessary,” Mango said.

source: mybroadband.co