Apple Sends Out Refund Information to Australian iPad Customers

Apple has started sending out emails to Australian customers who may have been misled about the advertised "4G" capabilities of the new iPad.

Apple explains in the email that the new iPad is not compatible with Australian LTE or WiMAX networks, but does support "fast cellular networks" such as HSPA, HSPA+, and DC-HSDPA

ipadrefund
The offer for returns is a response to complaints by Australian regulators that Apple's use of the term "4G" in its Australian marketing may have misled some customers into thinking that the new iPad would work on Australian LTE/WiMAX networks.

Apple is allowing Australians who purchased the new iPad before March 28th to return it for a full refund.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
164 months ago
Why the heck didn't Apple make it an LTE world compatible radio? It's kind of silly to leave out markets like that!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bsainsbury Avatar
164 months ago
I'd really like to see how many people actually return it. I don't think it's a big deal.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Winni Avatar
164 months ago
such a hassle over minuscule facts

Exactly! All carriers around the world should have changed their LTE hardware to be compatible with Apple's "resolutionary" new product. What are they thinking?! Haven't they heard yet that the world solely evolves around Apple and their decision to only support the US-American minority standard? Blasphemy!

Whoever finds extreme cynicism in this post can keep and collect it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foranor Avatar
164 months ago
maybe good will come from this. Maybe it will make Australia get off its ass and upgrade instead of children fighting each other in parliment.
Upgrade what? Their telco hardware to a standard that isn't used anywhere in the world but the US (and Canada)? Doesn't sound like an upgrade to me.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Teeps Avatar
164 months ago
I think the important thing here isn't that people will return their iPads for a refund, it's that Apple (or any other company) should NEVER advertise a product as having features when it will not work with the systems available in that market. Fine, say it's 4G capable within North America, and make it very clear that this is the case, but don't sell a product as being 4G in other markets without making it obvious that it won't work anywhere but North America.

If a company advertised and sold a product in USA without making it very clear it wouldn't work in that market could you imagine the whinging we'd hear then!?

I bought my iPad knowing what I was buying (and we don't have LTE here in New Zealand) but the lack of clarity is designed to confuse and drive sales which is very wrong.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Telstra Avatar
164 months ago
Even without LTE @ 1800 MHz being supported, Australia's leading network still does pretty well with 3G.

Downstream: 22.90 Mbps
Upstream: 3.61 Mbps
Ping: 132 ms

Speed test:
(http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/3978/img0001o.png)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)