Consumer group calls for investigation into 'misleading' ISP ads

The Consumers Association (CA) is calling for the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to investigate misleading internet access offers.

The move comes after AltaVista was forced to admit it had not launched the unmetered service it promised consumers in March, and follows the withdrawal of unmetered services earlier this year by a number of other free ISPs.

AltaVista's service was due to go live in June and despite having hundreds of thousands of customers registered, it claimed it was not able to deliver the service because BT had failed to deliver on the promise of a flat rate wholesale Friaco deal.

However, Adam Scorer, public affairs officer for the CA, argued: "While there may be more than a grain of truth in that, you don't go and launch a service that you won't be able to provide."

A letter has now been sent to the ASA asking it to look into whether consumers are being misled by the ISP industry and the ASA would be able to determine if there is case for further action under the Office of Fair Trading.