AT&T Files Complaint Against Verizon Over 3G Coverage Map Commercials

Engadget reports that AT&T has filed suit against Verizon over recent Verizon ads touting its national 3G network by comparing its coverage to AT&T's 3G network using the iPhone-inspired tagline "There's a map for that." The complaint requests an injunction preventing Verizon from depicting non-3G coverage areas in AT&T's network as "blank" spaces on maps in its advertising, as well monetary damages suffered by AT&T due to the advertising campaign.


AT&T's complaint stems from its belief that the ads mislead potential customers into thinking that AT&T provides no coverage outside of its 3G areas, while the vast majority of areas not covered by AT&T's 3G network are in fact covered by the company's 2.5G network that offers essentially the same experience as the 3G network, albeit at slower data speeds.

In response to a direct contact from AT&T, Verizon has altered the ads to remove an "out of touch" label for blank areas of maps depicting AT&T's 3G coverage and inserted a phrase at the end of the ads stating that voice and data services are available outside of the 3G coverage area in small font. The change, however, has not satisfied AT&T.

The move is certainly not unusual for AT&T and Verizon, as the two companies have faced off several times in the past over what each side has claimed as false or misleading advertising. Earlier this year, the two companies clashed over AT&T's claim of possessing "America's Most Reliable 3G Network".