Apple in Australia and in other countries dropped the branding of the iPad 3 as 4G capable and replaced it with the term "WiFi + Cellular" to avoid lawsuits from consumers.

The change was brought by the complaints filed by consumers from Australia and UK claiming that the WiFi+4G feature of the new iPad does not work in the aforementioned countries. The revised ad of iPad 3 also comes with a disclaimer "This product supports very fast cellular networks. It is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks and WiMAX networks."

Apple previously offers two options, which are WiFi and WiFi + 4G models, in the Australian Web site. Unfortunately, the 700MHz and 2100MHz frequencies used by the new iPad differed from the 1800MHz frequency used by Telstra's LTE (long-term evolution) 4G network. Optus' new 4G LTE network also offers the same frequency as Telstra's. Thus, disabling the consumers to connect and enjoy the 4G capabilities of the device.

The change in the ad is due to the action made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which dragged the Cupertino, California-based company to the Federal Court. The court alleged that the company misled the consumers by saying that tablet can connect to 4G.

Last March, Apple's lawyers released a statement that the company will offer refunds and returns to the customers if they claim that they have been deceived by the ad with reference to 4G. Moreover, the lawyers explained that the ad did not claim that the device is not capable of connecting with Telstra's 4G LTE network.

There is a probability that Apple faces a fine from the Federal Court despite the claim that 4G LTE feature is compatible only in US networks in original fine print.

RELATED STORIES