National Advertising Division Finds Certain Spectrum Home Internet “Free Internet Forever” Claims Supported; Recommends Material Terms be Disclosed
New York, NY – June 1, 2026 – In a challenge brought by AT&T Services, Inc., BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division found the Charter Communications, Inc. d/b/a Spectrum claim that “Spectrum customers will receive free high-speed internet forever, with the purchase and maintenance of four mobile lines” supported, but recommended that Spectrum modify certain advertising for its Spectrum Home Internet “Free Internet Forever” offer to clearly and conspicuously disclose material terms of the offer.
AT&T and Spectrum compete in the home internet and wireless services markets. AT&T challenged Spectrum’s claims that consumers can receive free high-speed internet forever by obtaining four mobile lines with Spectrum. The challenged claim appears in a television commercial and on the Spectrum website.
The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Spectrum’s claim that consumers receive free internet service forever with qualifying mobile service was supported because consumers pay the same price for mobile service whether or not they receive the free internet offer.
NAD determined, however, that claims that a service is offered for “free” require clear and conspicuous disclosure of material terms necessary for consumers to understand the nature of the advertised bargain.
NAD recommended that Spectrum clearly and conspicuously disclose, either in the main claim or through a prominent disclosure in close proximity to the offer, that eligibility for the “Free Internet Forever” offer requires four qualifying Spectrum Mobile lines, some of which must be switched, transferred, or ported from another carrier, and that a one-time installation charge and other fees may apply.
In addition, NAD recommended that, to the extent Spectrum’s advertising does not otherwise disclose the remaining material terms and conditions of the offer, Spectrum clearly and prominently direct consumers to a readily accessible source where those terms are available.
In its advertiser statement, Spectrum stated that it “will comply with NAD’s decision.”
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. Per NAD/NARB Procedures, this release may not be used for promotional purposes.
AT&T and Spectrum compete in the home internet and wireless services markets. AT&T challenged Spectrum’s claims that consumers can receive free high-speed internet forever by obtaining four mobile lines with Spectrum. The challenged claim appears in a television commercial and on the Spectrum website.
The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Spectrum’s claim that consumers receive free internet service forever with qualifying mobile service was supported because consumers pay the same price for mobile service whether or not they receive the free internet offer.
NAD determined, however, that claims that a service is offered for “free” require clear and conspicuous disclosure of material terms necessary for consumers to understand the nature of the advertised bargain.
NAD recommended that Spectrum clearly and conspicuously disclose, either in the main claim or through a prominent disclosure in close proximity to the offer, that eligibility for the “Free Internet Forever” offer requires four qualifying Spectrum Mobile lines, some of which must be switched, transferred, or ported from another carrier, and that a one-time installation charge and other fees may apply.
In addition, NAD recommended that, to the extent Spectrum’s advertising does not otherwise disclose the remaining material terms and conditions of the offer, Spectrum clearly and prominently direct consumers to a readily accessible source where those terms are available.
In its advertiser statement, Spectrum stated that it “will comply with NAD’s decision.”
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. Per NAD/NARB Procedures, this release may not be used for promotional purposes.