New York, NY – April 25, 2023 – In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge brought by Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that T-Mobile discontinue the “Don’t you worry ‘bout speed” claim in reference to T-Mobile’s Home Internet (T-HINT) service.
Fast-Track SWIFT is an expedited challenge process designed for single-issue advertising cases brought to NAD. NAD determined that the Comcast challenge was appropriate for Fast-Track SWIFT because it presented the single issue as to whether T-Mobile’s claim “Don’t you worry ‘bout speed” is supported.
T-HINT operates on the same wireless network that T-Mobile smartphones run on, and thus does not use a wired infrastructure to deliver internet. Customers are provided a gateway device that acts as a router and modem which converts T-Mobile’s signal to WiFi and provides a WiFi signal to devices in the home.
After considering the messages reasonably conveyed by the challenged commercial, NAD determined that, given the context which offers T-HINT as an alternative to fixed wired internet, the “Don’t you worry ‘bout speed” claim conveys a message that consumers can get the speed they need to do whatever they want on the internet without limitation.
In addition, NAD determined that T-Mobile’s unqualified “Don’t you worry ’bout speed ” claim conveys the message that internet speeds are sufficient to provide worry-free internet service that will allow users to perform nearly all typical activities on the internet, including intensive uses like gaming or streaming on multiple devices at any time of day..
NAD found that T-Mobile’s evidence was not a good fit for its broad unqualified performance claim “Don’t you worry ‘bout speed” and recommended that it be discontinued with respect to T-Mobile’s T-HINT service.
In its advertiser statement, T-Mobile stated that it “will comply with NAD’s recommendations, but strongly disagrees with NAD’s determination that the challenged commercial communicates an unsubstantiated message.”
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About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Name: Jennie Rosenberg
Email: jrosenberg@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Media Relations
