Big Three carriers pay $10 million to settle claims over 'unlimited' false ads

Enlarge Verizon

TMobile, Verizon, And AT&T will pay A combined $10.2 million In A regulation with WE States that alleged THE carriers falsely announcement wireless plans as "unlimited" And Telephone(s) as "free." THE agreement was announcement yesterday by New York Lawyer General Letitia Jacques.

"A multi-state investigation find that THE companies do FAKE complaints In advertisement In New York And through THE nation, including false statements about 'unlimited' data plans that were In do limit And had reduced quality And speed After A certain limit was reached by THE user," THE announcement said.

T Mobile And Verizon agreed has pay $4.1 million each while AT&T agreed has pay A little on $2 million. THE regulation understand AT&T subsidiary company Cricket Wireless And Verizon subsidiary company TracFone.

THE regulation implied 49 of THE 50 WE States (Florida did not participate) And THE District of Colombia. THE States' investigation find that THE three major carriers "do several misleading complaints In their advertisement, including make a false statement 'unlimited' data plans that were In fact limit, offer 'free' Telephone(s) that came has A cost, And manufacturing FAKE promises about switching has different wireless carrier plans."

“AT&T, Verizon, And T Mobile lied has millions of consumers, manufacturing FAKE promises of free Telephone(s) And 'unlimited' data plans that were simply fake," James said. "Big companies are not excuse Since following THE law And can't trick consumers In paid For services they will Never receive."

States to have choice For using money

THE carriers denied any of them illegal to drive despite All right has THE regulation. In addition has Payments has each State, THE carriers agreed has changes In their advertisement practices. It is not clear if consumers will get any of them refunds out of THE regulation, however.

THE regulation given States flexibility In how has to use THE Payments Since carriers. THE Payments can be used has blanket 'Lawyers' costs And other costs of investigation And dispute," Or can go towards "consumer protection law enforcement funds."

States can to use THE Payments For future consumer protection enforcement, consumer education, dispute, Or A consumer help funds. THE money can Also be used For "monitoring And potential enforcement" of THE regulation terms "Or consumer restitution," THE regulation said.

We request James' desk about if any of them consumer restitution East foreseen And will update This article if We get A response.

Advertisement restrictions

THE three carriers agreed that all advertisement has consumers must be "truthful, accurate And not misleading.” They Also agreed has THE following changes, THE new York lawyer the general desk said:

"Unlimited" mobile data plans can only be commercialized if there are No boundaries on THE quantity of data allowed during A billing ride a bike. Offers has pay For consumers has to change has A different wireless carrier must clearly disclose how a lot A consumer will be paid, how consumers will be paid, When consumers can to wait for payment, And any of them additional requirements consumers to have has meet has get paid. Offers of "free" wireless devices Or services must clearly State All A consumer must TO DO has receive THE "free" devices Or services. Offers has rental wireless devices must clearly State that THE consumer will be enter In A rental agreement. All "savings" complaints must to have A reasonable base. If A wireless carrier complaints that consumers will to safeguard using It is services compared with has another wireless carrier, THE claim must be base on similar goods Or services Or differences must be clearly explain has THE consumer.

THE advertisement restrictions are has be In place For five years.

T Mobile provided A statement about THE regulation has Ars Today. "After nine years, We are thrilled has move on Since This industry-wide investigation with This regulation And A continued commitment has THE transparent And user-friendly advertisement practices We have undertaken For years," T Mobile said.

AT&T And Verizon decreases has comment individually And referred We has their entrance hall band, CTIA. "These voluntary Agreements reflect No discovery of improper to drive And reaffirm THE wireless industry long standing commitment has clarity And integrated...