![\"\"](\"https:\/\/icrowdnewswire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/18348378-NAD_PC_RGB_300x300.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 August 28, 2024 \u2013<\/em> In a challenge brought by Charter Communications, Inc., BBB National Programs\u2019 National Advertising Division determined that Verizon Communications Inc. provided a reasonable basis for certain claims for its Verizon Home Internet but recommended that it discontinue or modify others.<\/p>\n Three primary services are included under Verizon Home Internet: Fios Home (using fiber-to-the-home), 5G Home (using mid-band and high-band 5G wireless), and LTE Home (using 4G LTE wireless). Fios Home is a wired service and 5G Home and LTE Home are fixed wireless access (FWA) internet services that connect to homes through Verizon\u2019s cellular network.<\/p>\n 5G Claims<\/strong><\/p>\n Verizon branded parts of its FWA service \u201c5G Home\u201d and \u201c5G Home Plus.\u201d The National Advertising Division (NAD) considered the message reasonably conveyed by claims using the term \u201c5G\u201d:<\/p>\n NAD found that Verizon\u2019s advertisements do not perpetuate or reinforce any misconception that 5G refers to 5 Gbps. Therefore, NAD determined that Verizon\u2019s 5G claims were not misleading because the term \u201c5G\u201d describes the service accurately\u2013 home internet connected through 5G mobile technology.<\/p>\n Fast and Reliable Claims<\/strong><\/p>\n Applying standards used for residential broadband internet, NAD determined that Verizon provided a reasonable basis that its services were \u201creliable\u201d and that the following claims are substantiated:<\/p>\n However, NAD concluded that Verizon failed to provide a reasonable basis that Verizon Home Internet, which includes 5G Home and LTE, is \u201cfast\u201d in a context that equates those services with its broadband internet services.<\/p>\n Therefore, NAD recommended that Verizon modify the following \u201cfast\u201d claims to clearly and conspicuously disclose the service (Fios Home) for which the claim is supported:<\/p>\n Alternatively, Verizon may clearly and conspicuously disclose that its 5G Home and LTE Home services of its Verizon Home Internet provide internet access through a mobile wireless or cellular network and that speeds may vary due to factors affecting networks.<\/p>\n Stream Claim<\/strong><\/p>\n Verizon\u2019s website claims \u201cVerizon 5G Home is fast, reliable home internet so you can game, stream and connect the way you want.\u201d NAD determined that the claim reasonably conveys the message that there are no limitations on picture quality on what consumers can stream with Verizon\u2019s FWA internet option. However, the inability to stream in 4K is material information that directly contradicts the claim of being able to stream the way you want.<\/p>\n Accordingly, NAD recommended that Verizon modify the claim by clearly and conspicuously disclosing that certain limitations on playback resolution may apply depending on the tier of service.<\/p>\n No Data Limits and Data Caps Claim<\/strong><\/p>\n Verizon\u2019s terms of service give it the right to limit the speeds of its highest data-using FWA customers. While Verizon characterizes data limitation ability as an abuse-prevention mechanism, it is nevertheless a data limitation. As a result, NAD found that the unqualified \u201cno data limits\u201d or \u201cdata caps\u201d claims for Verizon\u2019s 5G Home Internet and LTE Home Internet plans are unsupported.<\/p>\n Therefore, NAD recommended that Verizon discontinue its \u201cno data limits\u201d and \u201cdata caps\u201d claims or modify the claims to disclose its data limitation policy.<\/p>\n Antenna Claims<\/strong><\/p>\n NAD concluded that Verizon\u2019s claim \u201cthere\u2019s a 5G antenna somewhere in your neighborhood, or maybe even a few\u201d and the implied message that consumers who subscribe to Verizon\u2019s 5G Home Internet will connect to an antenna in their neighborhood, as directed to the target audience, are truthful and supported.<\/p>\n Further, NAD determined that the claim does not reasonably convey the message that subscribers will have multiple antenna options to connect to, as it states \u201cmaybe\u201d and makes clear that multiple antennae is a possibility and not a promise.<\/p>\n Underground Claims<\/strong><\/p>\n During the proceeding, Verizon permanently modified the claim that Verizon 5G Home Internet \u201cactually works . . . ten feet underground\u201d to include the language \u201cAnd don\u2019t ask me how, but the gang hacked it to make sure it worked while I\u2019m underground.\u201d Afterwards, the words \u201cAnd because of our hack\u201d was inserted before the statement \u201cIt actually works . . .\u201d<\/p>\n NAD found that the language about a \u201chack\u201d reduces the likelihood of consumer confusion and concluded that Verizon\u2019s claim that Verizon 5G Home Internet actually works ten feet underground was not false or misleading in the context of its video.<\/p>\n Choose a Plan Claim<\/strong><\/p>\n NAD concluded that the claims \u201cchoose a plan that fits [their] needs so [they] can get the speed and features that are right for [them]\u201d and \u201cbinge, game and work at the speed you need\u201d are not misleading.<\/p>\n NAD noted that reasonable consumers understand that although home internet providers offer a variety of plans, they are unlikely to offer a plan for every customer and that service availability varies.<\/p>\n Limited Availability<\/strong><\/p>\n Verizon geo-targets Verizon Home Internet advertisements to areas in which the service is available, and any advertisements that are not geo-targeted contain a disclosure that availability varies or that not all products may be available. Therefore, NAD concluded that no modifications to claims about the availability of Verizon\u2019s 5G Home Internet service were necessary.<\/p>\n During the proceeding, Verizon permanently discontinued a number of claims and modified one claim. Therefore, NAD did not review these claims on their merits and will treat the claims, for compliance purposes, as though NAD recommended they be discontinued or modified.<\/p>\n In its advertiser statement, Verizon stated that it \u201cwill comply with NAD\u2019s decision\u201d and take NAD\u2019s recommendations into consideration in future advertising because it is committed to industry self-regulation.<\/p>\n All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the\u00a0case decision library<\/a>. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive<\/a>. This press release shall not be used for advertising or promotional purposes.<\/p>\n About BBB National Programs:<\/strong>\u00a0BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more,\u00a0visit bbbprograms.org.<\/p>\n About the National Advertising Division: <\/strong>The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs\u202f provides\u202f independent self-regulation \u202fand dispute resolution services,\u202f guiding \u202fthe truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD \u202freviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for\u202f advertising\u202f truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to \u202fconsumers \u202fand leveling the playing field for business.\u202f\u202f<\/p>\n Name: Jennie Rosenberg Tags:<\/b> Name: Jennie Rosenberg New York, NY \u2013 August 28, 2024 \u2013 In a challenge brought by Charter Communications, Inc., BBB National Programs\u2019 National Advertising Division determined that Verizon Communications Inc. provided a reasonable basis for certain claims for its Verizon Home Internet but recommended that it discontinue or modify others. Three primary services are included under Verizon Home [\u2026] Continue Reading \n
\n
\n
See Campaign: <\/strong>https:\/\/bbbnp.org<\/a><\/p>\nContact Information:<\/h3>\n
Email: jrosenberg@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Media Relations<\/p>\n
BNN<\/a>, CE<\/a>, Extended Distribution<\/a>, Go Media<\/a>, Go Media2<\/a>, Google News<\/a>, iCN Internal Distribution<\/a>, IPS<\/a>, Nexis Newswire<\/a>, PR-Wirein<\/a>, Reportedtimes<\/a>, Wire<\/a>, English<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nContact Information:<\/h3>\n
Email: jrosenberg@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Media Relations<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"