Unlimited?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

agnon - 30 Jun 2009 13:45 GMT

What does "unlimited" actually mean?

See, for example, this UK page for a company selling mobile phones and
services.

<URL:http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/payAsYouGoPhones.do>

The top of the page has, in bold red capitals, the words "Get unlimited
web access for just 30p a day. If you access the Internet from your
phone, you'll only pay 30p and you'll get unlimited web use for the rest
of that day.", and each phone description has (again in bold red text)
"Unlimited texts & web access".

This company seems to think that "unlimited" means "with limits". Have a
look on their legal page.

<URL:http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/genericContent.do?
contentId=our.service.footer.sm068>

"Unlimited Mobile Internet: Unlimited mobile internet is subject to a
fair use allowance of 1GB per month."

"Unlimited Mobile Internet – 30p a day: Our daily charge for access to
the mobile internet is subject to a fair use allowance of 25MB per day."

Reply to this Message

Mike Barnes - 30 Jun 2009 15:08 GMT

In alt.usage.english, agnon wrote:

>What does "unlimited" actually mean?
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>"Unlimited Mobile Internet – 30p a day: Our daily charge for access to
>the mobile internet is subject to a fair use allowance of 25MB per day."

The ASA thinks that the word "unlimited" is applicable even if a fair-
use policy exists, if that is made clear in the advert. I don't agree
with that, but that's what they say.

See, for example:

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/Public/TF_ADJ_45008.htm

On the page you refer to, the fair use policy is not made clear. Grounds
for complaint, I'd say.

Signature

Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

Reply to this Message

Jonathan Morton - 30 Jun 2009 20:35 GMT

> The ASA thinks that the word "unlimited" is applicable even if a fair-
> use policy exists, if that is made clear in the advert. I don't agree
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> On the page you refer to, the fair use policy is not made clear. Grounds
> for complaint, I'd say.

In similar vein, one of the UK mobile phone companies is advertising that it
has "abolished" roaming charges. That seems to me to be highly misleading
for what turns out to be a temporary suspension.

Regards

Jonathan

Reply to this Message

tony cooper - 30 Jun 2009 22:11 GMT

>> The ASA thinks that the word "unlimited" is applicable even if a fair-
>> use policy exists, if that is made clear in the advert. I don't agree
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>has "abolished" roaming charges. That seems to me to be highly misleading
>for what turns out to be a temporary suspension.

I would expect them to offer a "conditional lifetime guarantee" on
their terms.

Signature

Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

Reply to this Message

Jonathan Morton - 30 Jun 2009 22:41 GMT

>>> The ASA thinks that the word "unlimited" is applicable even if a fair-
>>> use policy exists, if that is made clear in the advert. I don't agree
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> I would expect them to offer a "conditional lifetime guarantee" on
> their terms.

I once had a camshaft drivebelt which was guaranteed for the life of the
engine. And they were dead right. To be fair, the belt didn't go on its
own - a dodgy water pump took it out.

Regards

Jonathan

Reply to this Message

Steve Hayes - 01 Jul 2009 07:00 GMT

>>"Unlimited Mobile Internet 30p a day: Our daily charge for access to
>>the mobile internet is subject to a fair use allowance of 25MB per day."
>
>The ASA thinks that the word "unlimited" is applicable even if a fair-
>use policy exists, if that is made clear in the advert. I don't agree
>with that, but that's what they say.

Ah, so lies are OK, as long as they are truthful lies.

Such intelligent stupidity gives them incredible credibility.

Signature

Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Reply to this Message

Pat Durkin - 01 Jul 2009 14:41 GMT

> On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:08:02 +0100, Mike Barnes
> <mikebarnes@bluebottle.com>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Such intelligent stupidity gives them incredible credibility.

There are Fair Trade acts in the nationwide arena, but those are
designed to protect business...competition, you know. After that,
litigation,either by individuals or as class action helps. If you can
get your case to the Supremes, some new legislation after jurisprudence
may ensue.
I think many such lies are somewhat controlled by state departments of
"consumer protection".

Reply to this Message

Steve Hayes - 01 Jul 2009 06:11 GMT

>"Unlimited Mobile Internet: Unlimited mobile internet is subject to a
>fair use allowance of 1GB per month."
>
>"Unlimited Mobile Internet 30p a day: Our daily charge for access to
>the mobile internet is subject to a fair use allowance of 25MB per day."

Isn't there a trade descriptions act that prohibits such misleading
advertising?

Isn't there an advertising standard body that one could complain to?

Signature

Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / English Usage / July 2009

Unlimited?