iPad 4G branding strategy defended by Apple in Australia
In an ongoing battle in Australia over the use of 4G in the iPad name, Apple's now arguing that its naming convention adheres to the standard use of the term 4G. According to a report in The Australian, Apple claims,
The descriptor '4G'... conveys to consumers in Australia that the iPad with WiFi + 4G will deliver a superior level of service in terms of data transfer speed (consistent with accepted industry and regulatory use of that term), and not that the iPad with WiFi + 4G is compatible with any particular network technology promoted by a particular mobile service provider in Australia.
In December 2010, the International Telecommunications Union, which sets the terminology and marketing standards for the wireless industry, defined 4G as "the forerunners of ... LTE and WiMAX, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed."
According to this definition, both the iPad and Australia's networks can legitimately use the term 4G to describe their products. We will have to wait and see if the Australian court agrees. A final verdict in this case is expected on May 2.
[Via Macworld UK]
