Charter Voluntarily Discontinues Certain Spectrum Mobile Comparative Claims Following AT&T’s National Advertising Division Challenge
703.247.9330 / press@bbbnp.org
New York, NY – December 22, 2022 – In a BBB National Programs National Advertising Division (NAD) challenge brought by competitor AT&T Services, Inc., Charter Communications, Inc., d/b/a Spectrum, voluntarily discontinued certain comparative speed and reliability claims for its Spectrum Mobile services vs. AT&T Wireless.
AT&T Services challenged claims made in three television commercials that:
- Spectrum Mobile is the “most reliable” mobile service.
- Spectrum Mobile is more reliable than AT&T Wireless.
- Spectrum Mobile has faster mobile data speeds than AT&T Wireless.
- Unlike Spectrum Mobile, AT&T Wireless lacks the “speed you need to stream and connect in more places.”
- Spectrum Mobile is America’s “leading” mobile service provider.
In response to the challenge, Charter informed NAD that it had permanently discontinued the express “leading mobile service provider” claim and “most reliable mobile service” claim for independent business reasons. Charter also informed NAD that it would permanently discontinue the remaining comparative speed and reliability claims in the way they were alleged to be conveyed. Therefore, NAD did not review the claims on their merits.
In its advertiser statement, Charter stated that “Spectrum is proud of the unique combination of performance and value that it offers wireless customers throughout the nation and thanks NAD for its attention to this matter.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
Subscribe to the Ad Law Insights or Privacy Initiatives newsletters for an exclusive monthly analysis and insider perspectives on the latest trends and case decisions in advertising law and data privacy.
Latest Decisions
National Advertising Division Recommends Blueprint Test Preparation Discontinue Certain MCAT Score Improvement Claims
New York, NY – April 22, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended Blueprint Test Preparation discontinue certain express and implied claims made in connection with its four MCAT preparation courses, including claims that Blueprint students raise their MCAT scores by 15 or 13 points on average.
National Advertising Division Recommends The Princeton Review Discontinue Point Increase Claims for MCAT Test Preparation Services
New York, NY – April 18, 2024 – In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge, the National Advertising Division recommended that The Princeton Review (TPR) discontinue claims that its students “Score a 515+ on the MCAT or add 15 points depending on your starting score. Guaranteed or your money back.”
Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Trades of Hope Discontinue Salesforce Member Earnings Claims
McLean, VA – April 17, 2024 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended that Trades of Hope discontinue certain earnings claims made by salesforce members on Facebook and YouTube.
National Advertising Division Recommends Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals Discontinue “100% Pure Avocado Oil” Claim for Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil
New York, NY – April 15, 2024 – The National Advertising Division recommended that Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals discontinue the claim “100% Pure Avocado Oil” for its Tropical Plantation Avocado Oil and avoid conveying the unsupported message that the product is 100% pure avocado...