FAС finds MegaFon's 5G ad misleading
The Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAС) declared MegaFon's advertising campaign promoting a '5G mode' as misleading, as the company lacked the technical capability to provide 5G services at the time of the ad's broadcast in April–May 2026. The campaign, aired on federal television, urged users to activate the service via a mobile app.
Consensus
- The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAС) of Russia declared MegaFon's advertisement about '5G mode' to be misleading.
- The advertisement was broadcast on federal television from April to May 2026.
- At the time of the advertisement, commercial implementation of 5G technology in Russia had not yet occurred.
- The ad encouraged users to activate the '5G mode' through a mobile application.
- FAС is considering holding MegaFon accountable under the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses.
- MegaFon claimed it was surprised by the decision and stated its advertising complied with legislation and accurately reflected service offerings.
Points of divergence
- MegaFon has not yet received the reasoned part of the FAС decision. — vedomosti
- MegaFon stated that its advertisement referred to internet speed comparable to 5G, not actual 5G service. — vedomosti
- MegaFon has not decided on further actions regarding the FAС decision. — tg_tass_agency
- On July 29, FAС reported that MegaFon had eliminated signs of unfair competition in its 'Marketplace tariffs' service promotion. — vedomosti
Coverage (5 sources)
- FAS declared — Вести
- FAS declared spring advertising of — ТАСС (Telegram)
- FAS declared advertising of '5G mode' by 'Megafon' inaccurate — Ведомости
- FAS declared the advertising of '5G mode' by 'Megafon' to be inaccurate — Коммерсантъ
- FAS declared the Megafon advertisement about activating the '5G mode' to be inaccurate — Москва 24