Apple offers iPad 4G refund in Oz

Apple has got into some degree of hot water when it comes to the new iPad over in Australia.

The iPad 4G, specifically, and its incompatibility with Australia’s only 4G network. Telstra’s 4G runs on the 1800MHz spectrum (which will probably be the UK’s initial 4G LTE network later this year, as well, if Everything Everywhere gets the roll out stamp of approval finalised by Ofcom).

The problem is the iPad only supports the 700MHz and 2100MHz spectrum (employed in the US), hence Australian buyers are finding themselves out of luck. Folks aren’t happy that the product is sold as a 4G device, and then they find out they can’t actually use it to get the fastest mobile surfing speeds.

There has been quite a stink kicked up about this, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission not happy about the situation at all, and taking Apple to court over it.

Apple has therefore agreed to offer a refund to customers, and to display signs to indicate the truth about the iPad’s 4G compatibility in Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Anyone who has bought an iPad will be emailed to inform them of the 4G situation, and also offered a refund. The signs, clarifying the 4G compatibility issue, will be placed next to displays in shops. Apple escaped the spectre of having to put stickers on individual iPad boxes.

The signs will read: “This product supports very fast cellular networks. It is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks or WiMax networks.”

We guess if Everything Everywhere is pushing out its 1800MHz LTE service late in 2012, Apple better get ready with some compatibility notices for the UK, too.