Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2006/01/27/wanadoo_asa/

Wanadoo faces ad slap over 8MB service

Rival ISPs lead complaints

By Tim Richardson

Posted in Networks, 27th January 2006 10:17 GMT

Wanadoo UK is facing a slap from the advertising watchdog over ads for its 8MB broadband service.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received more than half a dozen complaints including three from rival ISPs (BT, Bulldog and Tiscali) as well as those from members of the public.

Although the exact details of the complaints have yet to be revealed, El Reg understands that they centre on claims about the speed of the service and its availability in the UK.

While Wanadoo UK has been advertising its 8MB service widely, it is only currently available in a limited number of areas where the ISP has invested in local loop unbundling.

A spokesman for Wanadoo UK confirmed that the ASA "is currently investigating our up to 8MB TV and press advertising", and that it would "comply with any recommendations" made by the ASA.

The full ruling by the ad watchdog, which is expected to uphold four out of five complaints, should be published within the next week or so. ®