Charter Voluntarily Discontinues Certain Spectrum Mobile Comparative Claims Following AT&T’s National Advertising Division Challenge

December 22, 2022

3 Min Read

New York, NY – December 22, 2022 – In a BBB National Programs National Advertising Division (NAD) challenge brought by competitor AT&T Services, Inc., Charter Communications, Inc., d/b/a Spectrum, voluntarily discontinued certain comparative speed and reliability claims for its Spectrum Mobile services vs. AT&T Wireless.

AT&T Services challenged claims made in three television commercials that:

Spectrum Mobile is the “most reliable” mobile service.
Spectrum Mobile is more reliable than AT&T Wireless.
Spectrum Mobile has faster mobile data speeds than AT&T Wireless.
Unlike Spectrum Mobile, AT&T Wireless lacks the “speed you need to stream and connect in more places.”
Spectrum Mobile is America’s “leading” mobile service provider.

In response to the challenge, Charter informed NAD that it had permanently discontinued the express “leading mobile service provider” claim and “most reliable mobile service” claim for independent business reasons. Charter also informed NAD that it would permanently discontinue the remaining comparative speed and reliability claims in the way they were alleged to be conveyed. Therefore, NAD did not review the claims on their merits.

In its advertiser statement, Charter stated that “Spectrum is proud of the unique combination of performance and value that it offers wireless customers throughout the nation and thanks NAD for its attention to this matter.”

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About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.

See Campaign: https://bbbprograms.org/media-center/decisions