Cell C has won its battle with Vodacom at the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over a Wi-Fi calling dispute.<\/p>\n
The ASA found that Cell C\u2019s Wi-Fi calling claim in adverts was substantiated despite objections by Vodacom that it was first to market with the service.<\/p>\n
In the ruling, ASA consultant Stephan Kotze acknowledged Vodacom\u2019s claim that it launched Wi-Fi calling on June 4 2015.<\/p>\n
However, he also accepted respondent Cell C\u2019s reports from Bateleur Brand Planning and William Stucke Associates that Wi-Fi calling was not available to Vodacom customers and was new to the South African market.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe respondent\u2019s claims that Wi-Fi calling is \u2018new\u2019, exclusive to Cell C\u2019 and a \u2018first from Cell C\u2019 have therefore been substantiated and they are not misleading,\u201d Kotze wrote.<\/p>\n
Wi-Fi devices<\/strong><\/p>\n Vodacom had claimed that the Cell C Wi-Fi calling feature was dependant on a \u201cnew update\u201d for supported phones on the Cell C network.<\/p>\n Clear Copy, which submitted Cell C\u2019s response, said that \u201cno special steps are required\u201d for customers to access Wi-Fi calling.<\/p>\n \u201cThe update that is necessary is the standard updates that the devices in question automatically install periodically,\u201d said Clear Copy in its response.<\/p>\n Kotze accepted this argument and rejected Vodacom\u2019s claim that Wi-Fi calling would only available to less than 1% of Cell C\u2019s subscriber base.<\/p>\n \u201cIn addition, the devices capable of using Wi-Fi calling include one of the most popular models on the market, the Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone, so the service is not limited to a small scattering of obscure cellphones,\u201d Kotze said.<\/p>\n Beyond the Samsung Galaxy S6 variants, Cell C supports Wi-Fi calling on the AG Style, ZTE V6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 5.<\/p>\n Cell C\u2019s adverts ran in The Star on April 4 and 94.7 Highveld Stereo on April 9.<\/p>\n Vodacom and Cell C also tangled at the ASA in 2010 when the directorate ordered Cell C to shut down its \u201c4G\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n Fin24<\/a><\/p>\n Cell C reveals LTE-Advanced network<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Cell C launches uncapped fibre-to-the-home<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on Cell C and Vodacom<\/h3>\n