Vodafone in trouble over ads

The Commerce Commission has laid charges against Vodafone alleging breaches of fair trading law in broadband and mobile phone advertising campaigns as far back as 2006.

Vodafone says it is surprised. "This legal action feels to us like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut," said Mark Rushworth, the company's director of marketing.

The lawsuit relates to six advertising campaigns.

Vodafone said it had addressed issues when raised by customers or the commission.

The commission said the charges related to representations made by Vodafone regarding the extent of the coverage of its wireless broadband network in its Everywhere marketing campaign between October 2006 and April last year.

They also relate to advertising to do with the availability of a $10 free airtime credit for customers who registered their details on Vodafone's website between May 2007 and September 2008 and the cost of using the Vodafone Live mobile internet service between February 2007 and August 2008.

The cost of using a $1-a-day casual data charge for the mobile internet service between July 2008 and November 2008, and the size of Vodafone's mobile phone or 3G mobile phone network between September 2008 and February 2009 are also being disputed.

The charges also relate to the price of a Sony Ericsson W200 mobile phone between July and August 2007.

"We take these allegations seriously and have co-operated with the commission throughout. We have never deliberately misled our customers," Rushworth said.

"We strive to deliver great value and outcomes for customers. It has always been our practice to work with our customers to continually improve our processes and explanations around our offers."

- NZPA