Optus and Telstra showdown over advertising claims

Lindsay Bennett
By Lindsay Bennett | 14 May 2018
 

Optus and Telstra are locked in a bitter battle, with both telcos accusing each other of engaging in misleading and deceptive advertising.

Telstra first challenged Optus last Friday, taking the company to the Supreme Court of Victoria over a series of ads it says wrongfully implies Optus "undisputedly" operates Australia's best mobile network.

Telstra alleges a series of advertisements across billboards, street furniture and websites make "false representations" that Optus' mobile network is the best in Australia.

In response, Optus has served Telstra in the Supreme Court of NSW alleging its ads related to unlimited mobile data plans are misleading.

According to Optus, Telstra’s ads that state “One word from Australia’s best mobile network. Unlimited” make unqualified statements about what the telco is offering its customers.

Telstra has rejected the allegation, with a spokesman saying that it will stick with the wording.

“We stand by our advertising and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this case," Telstra says.

An Optus spokesperson says its major competitor has "clearly lost its sense of humour".

"Optus was ranked best in test in the 2017 P3 Mobile Benchmark in Australia. Optus will continue to invest and compete for customers across cities, in regions and rural locations with a premium quality network that continues to improve, expand and deliver customers great value and must-have sports and entertainment content," a spokesperson says.

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