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AT&T ordered to halt misleading ads about satellite-based calling that doesn't exist | The commercial was satirical, but T-Mobile and regulators called it lies, lies, lies

Regulators have ordered AT&T to cease running advertisements that falsely claim it is already providing satellite-to-cellular coverage. The telecom giant's marketing campaign sparked controversy, particularly with rival...

Unhappy with the decision, the company appealed to the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), which has now upheld the NAD's initial ruling. The NARB agreed with T-Mobile, stating that the humor in the ad attracted attention but did not negate the implication that SCS service is currently available. Instead, AT&T smartly updated its ad to clarify that "satellite calling is not currently available," changing the text to indicate that the technology is forthcoming rather than presently accessible.

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