TalkTalk rebuked for charging for "free" broadband

 

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Posted on 24 Sep 2008 at 15:27

Carphone Warehouse has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for failing to point out that a fifth of the country would have to pay for its "free" broadband.

A television advert for Carphone's ISP claimed: "At TalkTalk we believe broadband should be free. When you get your landline from us we give you broadband that's free."

What it failed to mention was that the free offer was only available to people who live in areas covered by its LLU network.

Carphone claims that around 80% of UK households qualify for its offer, but those who have their broadband supplied by BT Wholesale are subject to an additional charge. That prompted 15 complaints to the advertising watchdog, which were upheld.

"The ASA noted the free broadband service was not available in all areas of the UK due to the limited coverage of LLU," the ASA concluded.

"We acknowledged that TalkTalk did not have control of LLU but nevertheless considered that the ad did not make sufficiently clear that the free broadband service was not available to all TalkTalk customers. We concluded that the ad was likely to mislead."

Carphone Warehouse has been told not to repeat the ads.

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Author: Barry Collins