| ACCC Tells Telstra to Tell the Truth
24 August 2007 – Tell the Truth Telstra (T4) has today has today welcomed action from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to stop Telstra’s outrageous claims about the coverage and performance of its NextG network.
Telstra has decided to withdraw and amend misleading television advertisements promoting its NextG network after the ACCC raised concerns that the $1.75 million campaign provided misleading information to consumers.
“This is a win for consumers and Telstra competitors alike. Telstra can’t get away with peddling unsubstantiated and false claims to the public, and the fact that it has to be told this is disappointing,” said a T4 spokesperson.
T4 continues to receive a steady stream of complaints from customers unhappy with the poor performance of the NextG network.
“We receive complaints every day from consumers plagued by drop-outs on NextG. They have a right to be furious about the expensive ads Telstra has run with overseas celebrities pretending that drop outs ‘wouldn’t happen in Australia,’” said a T4 spokesperson.
“This ACCC action comes too late for those that have bought NextG services in the past months based on the aggressive, and now withdrawn, advertising claims by Telstra.”
“It once again shows that the best protection consumers have against Telstra untruths is to ensure that there is competition. This should be the priority for regulators and policy makers.”
Media contacts:
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Matt Healy
National Executive - Regulatory & Government
Macquarie Telecom
P: 03 9206 6847
M: 0402 259 140
E: mhealy@macquarietelecom.com |
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About “Tell the Truth Telstra” (T4) - http://www.tellthetruthtelstra.com/.au
The Tell the Truth Telstra (T4) campaign was launched in April 2007, to counter Telstra’s campaign of misinformation on telecommunications and broadband competition and regulation in Australia.
Tell the Truth Telstrais an initiative of Australia’s leading telecommunications carriers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) including AAPT, Adam Internet, Austar, iiNet, Internode, Macquarie Telecom, Powertel, Primus Telecom, Telarus, TransACT, WestNet and Unwired.
The Tell the Truth Telstra (T4)initiative commenced with a united complaint to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) asking it to investigate whether Telstra’s conduct amounts to misleading and deceptive conduct.
The Tell the Truth Telstra (T4)initiative documents a list of Telstra’s myths and highlights their misleading nature. An accompanying education program includes an information kit for MPs, a public Web site (http://www.tellthetruthtelstra.com/.au), and a series of information sessions for MPs, exposing the truth behind Telstra’s attempt to gain relief from regulation. | 
