Latest news with #Shesh
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Regulator rules against MTN for misleading advertising
Orders it to withdraw or amend the offending ads. Future MTN Shesh@ promotions must explicitly state that 300GB of the 600GB of data may be unusable without a reliable 5G connection. Picture: iStock The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has ruled against mobile giant MTN for misleading advertising in its promotion of the 'Shesh@600' data deal, finding that the campaign created 'an unqualified expectation' of 600GB of usable data per month – despite many customers being unable to access half of it due to poor 5G coverage. The ruling follows a consumer complaint over the Shesh@5G package promoted on social media, which advertised 600GB of data for R399 per month. The fine print revealed that the offer was split into two 300GB bundles – one at 'best 5G speeds' and the other capped at 20Mbps. The complainant argued that because MTN's 5G coverage was unreliable or non-existent in his area, he could never access the 5G portion of the deal, effectively leaving him with only 300GB of data. ALSO READ: WATCH: DStv's 'R100' advert deemed misleading by regulatory board The ARB found this practice to be in breach of Clause 4.2.1 of Section II of its Code, which prohibits misleading or ambiguous advertising, and Clause 16 of Section III, which deals with the non-availability of advertised products. It said MTN's marketing did not sufficiently warn consumers that the 300GB of 5G data would be forfeited if a stable 5G connection was unavailable. 'In modern data usage, customers reasonably expect their routers or devices to default to slower speeds rather than cancel a data allocation entirely,' it added. 'The assumption that consumers should understand the 5G data is 'all or nothing' is not reasonable especially when MTN's coverage maps suggest the service is available in the area.' ALSO READ: FSCA fines African Bank R700 000 for misleading advertising [VIDEO] MTN refers regulator to its Ts&Cs MTN responded by pointing to its website's terms and conditions, which it claims made the two-bundle structure clear. But the ARB rejected this defence, noting that the social media posts and promotional material made repeated and prominent reference to '600GB at R399', and '300GB at best 5G speeds x 12 months', without qualifying the forfeiture risk if 5G was not accessible. It has ordered MTN to withdraw or amend the offending adverts and to ensure that future Shesh@ promotions explicitly state that 300GB of the data may be unusable without a reliable 5G connection. ASLO READ: Everything you need to know about your rights with false advertising Breach of consumer trust In a further directive to the industry, the regulator has requested that all its members – including media platforms – refrain from accepting MTN advertising for Shesh@ products unless the promotional limitations are clearly spelled out. This is the second ruling involving MTN's Shesh@600 product in less than a month. A previous complaint was dismissed after MTN confirmed the full 600GB was technically available. However, in this latest case, the board ruled that the data may be inaccessible in practice – which amounts to a breach of consumer trust. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
One of SA's largest mobile operators launches exciting new delivery service
The motorbike-based delivery service is currently being rolled out in selected areas of Johannesburg and is intended to give customers quicker access to MTN's 5G connectivity services. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media One of South Africa's largest mobile operators, MTN, has introduced a new pilot service called Shesh@5G, offering SIM card and home internet package deliveries within two hours. In recent years, South Africa has seen significant growth in delivery services, with companies such as Checkers Sixty60, Uber Eats, Mr D, and Takealot expanding rapidly. The motorbike-based delivery service is currently being rolled out in selected areas of Johannesburg and is intended to give customers quicker access to MTN's 5G connectivity services. This initiative follows MTN's recent 'Smartphone For All' campaign, which plans to provide over 1.2 million customers with 4G smartphones for R99. Tania Ladopoulou, General Manager for Online and Telesales at MTN South Africa, said that the mobile operator focused on ensuring that "our Home customers enjoy the best possible experience". 'This is another ambition to bring seamless 5G Home connectivity to customers. As South Africa's best and strong 5G network, we are focused on ensuring that our Home customers enjoy the best possible experience with the country's most reliable and fastest 5G coverage. 'No more waiting 24 to 48 hours for delivery. No more standing in queues with this new service, we are putting our customers first by delivering convenience, speed, and connection right to their doorstep.' According to MTN, customers can place orders through the company's digital platforms. A motorbike courier then delivers the SIM card or home internet package within two hours. Customers can also complete self-registration using the MTN app, allowing them to activate services quickly after delivery. 'This is not just about faster service, it's about inclusion,' said Ladopoulou. 'We believe that everyone deserves a modern connected life, and they shouldn't have to wait for it. Whether you're connecting for the first time or upgrading to Shesh@5G, MTN is putting the power of instant connectivity in your hands.' IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
