Regulatory Authority obliges Ooredoo to remove "4G" advertisements from media

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has made a decision to remove all the Ooredoo's advertisements for "4G For Free Forever" campaign. The advertisement includes inaccurate and misleading messages for customers leading them to believe that it is a free service, however, it’s intended for the 4G subscription only.

The CRA has conducted its own analysis of the "4G For Free Forever" campaign and concluded that the advertisement is in fact misleading and it creates the perception that the 4G service and data are for free.  According to tariff filing, it is only the 4G key that is free and the subscribers are to be charged for data as per the data tariff lodged and approved by CRA.

CRA has informed Ooredoo to remove all promotional materials for "4G campaign". Ooredoo has to mention the word "key service" and the word "terms and conditions apply" in their advertisements if it wishes to continue the campaign re-Advertising.

"The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA ) will continue to monitor all promotions and advertisings by the service providers. CRA shall intervene if necessary to protect telecommunication consumers from misleading material included in any promotional campaigns related to telecommunications and information technology," stated Dr. Eiman Al-Ansari, Consumer and Government Affairs Manager, CRA.

Accordingly, CRA has requested  Ooredoo to implement the following remedial steps to address the misleading nature of the advertisement displayed and distributed through various media channels:

• The advertisements is to be removed from the various media channels in order to immediately remove the perception that the date usage is for free
• If Ooredoo wishes to continue with this 4G campaign, it shall rectify the existing messaging in the advertisements to clearly state that only 4G "Key " is free
• The advertisement shall further state that data tariffs are applicable along with other terms and conditions that apply to this offer
• The customers who have paid for the 4G subscriptions period from February 2, 2014, and thereafter, shall be credited for the complete value of the subscriptions for the 4G key

Consumers may contact Regulatory authority at  Hotline (103 ) or by email consumervoice@ictqatar.gov.qa to lodge a complaint about any misleading telecom advertisment.