Lineone(UK) user's told to cut down on internet usage

LegacyUser

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ASA warning for LineOne over "unlimited" access claim
by Iain Hepburn on 05 September 2001 09:21:00 GMT - www.netimperative.com

A LineOne customer warned by the ISP to cut down on his internet usage, despite subscribing to an unlimited off-peak internet call service, has had his complaint against the company’s advertising upheld by watchdogs.

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Best regards,
John



[This message has been edited by corkie (edited 06-09-2001).]

LegacyUser

Funny how our advertising standards people didn't want to know when contacted re: 'No Limits' debacle.

hmmph

[This message has been edited by pete (edited 06-09-2001).]

LegacyUser

That is because IOL are smart and stop offering IOL Nolimits before kicking us off!

The service is no longer available to new customers, and for how longer it will be available to people still on it, is to be seen!

John O Connell
???? YOU -- @ireland.com No More ?????



[This message has been edited by corkie (edited 06-09-2001).]

LegacyUser

well here's what i got back from the ASAI on 15th May:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">RE: Esat IOL No Limits Service


Dear Mr Brady,

I refer to your email of 30th April 2001 regarding the above.

The function of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland is to promote the highest standards of advertising and to enforce the Codes of Advertising Standards and of Sales Promotion Practice. We are prepared to investigate complaints about advertisements that may be considered to be in breach of the Codes.

In our view, the issue is of a contractual rather than an advertising nature. The Code does not deal with contractual relationships between advertisers and consumers. It does not presume to judge whether a product represents good value for money nor does it seek to regulate terms of business. I regret, therefore, that we are unable to be of assistance to you on this occasion.

The Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulator, Irish Life Centre, Dublin 1, Tel: 804 9600 may be able to advise you on the matter.

Yours sincerely,


Larry McCarthy,
ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE.</font>

and here's what the UK lot said:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">“The advertisers said they had sent warning letters to the 100 heaviest users encouraging them to use their service less and to disconnect when not actively using the Internet,” explained the ASA.

“They argued that that approach was in line with their terms and conditions and their competitors practice.”

The conditions stated that if a customer’s use was or could be detrimental to other users, they retained the right to suspend or cancel access without notice. “They claimed they did not know, when the advertisement was created, that they would need to limit heavy use,” the ASA’s adjudication continued.

“The Authority acknowledged that the advertisement stated that terms and conditions applied to the unlimited off-peak calls. It nevertheless considered that, because the advertisers could limit and end what was advertised as an “unlimited” service, the advertisement was misleading.”

The ad has since been withdrawn, and LineOne asked to get advice before advertising unlimited services in future.</font>

spot the difference?

hrmm