AT&T Publicly Responds to Verizon Ad Campaign
Earlier this month, AT&T filed suit against Verizon for misleading advertising, claiming that the ads implied that AT&T offered no coverage outside of the highlighted 3G areas, when in fact the vast majority of those areas are covered by the company's EDGE network, which the company claims is virtually identical to its 3G coverage with the exception of data transfer speed.
Today's release from AT&T takes its argument directly to the public in an effort to "set the record straight" on what AT&T has to offer. While the release does not directly mention the iPhone, it is clear that the much of the dispute over AT&T's 3G coverage has centered on the popular device.
As the U.S. market leader in wireless data service, we typically don't respond to competitors' advertising. However, some recent ads from Verizon are so blatantly false and misleading, that we want to set the record straight about AT&T's wireless data coverage.
In the release, AT&T details the three types of technology used in its wireless networks (3G, EDGE, GPRS), the functionalities offered by each technology, and the respective coverage areas by population in the United States. The company also touts the breadth of popular smartphones available to customers and the availability of over 100,000 applications, both obvious references to the iPhone. Finally, AT&T notes that it has the "nation's fastest 3G network", which also offers the ability to handle voice and data simultaneously.Top Rated Comments
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Engadget said it right when they said it's probably a better investment to improve your network then invest in lawsuits.
Yup.Verizon certainly seems to be getting under AT&T's skin with its ads focused on comparing 3G coverage -- not only is Ma Bell suing over 'em, it's now issuing PR to clarify what it sees as the inaccuracies of the entire campaign. If you'll recall, AT&T thinks Verizon's 1:1 comparison of 3G coverage maps makes it look like AT&T doesn't have any coverage at all across most of the country -- which means that our nation's largest wireless carrier is now in the sad position of pimping its gigantic EDGE network in response. Let's all gloss over the absolutely huge difference in 3G versus EDGE together, shall we?
With both 3G and EDGE coverage, customers can access the Internet, send e-mail, surf the Web, stream music, download videos, send photos, text, talk and more. The only difference – with some data applications, 3G is faster than EDGE.
Right, right -- the only difference. That must be why Apple named it the iPhone EDGE Slightly Faster.
Now, AT&T has a valid point when it says that its 3G map covers 75 percent of the nation's population, and that Verizon's conflation of total 3G coverage with actual network quality is slightly misleading. But you know what? We watch our iPhones drop from 3G to EDGE and even to GPRS all day long in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, and that has nothing to do with the damn map, and everything to do with AT&T's actual network quality. Let's put it this way: Verizon's ad campaign would be totally ineffective if it didn't ring so true, and the best way for AT&T to counter these ads is to build a rock-solid network, not filing lawsuits and issuing press releases bragging about freaking EDGE. We all clear on this? Good.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/12/atandt-responds-to-verizons-3g-ad-campaign-by-bragging-about-e/
Now, AT&T has a valid point when it says that its 3G map covers 75 percent of the nation's population, and that Verizon's conflation of total 3G coverage with actual network quality is slightly misleading. But you know what? We watch our iPhones drop from 3G to EDGE and even to GPRS all day long in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, and that has nothing to do with the damn map, and everything to do with AT&T's actual network quality.
So very true in my experience. When I'm in Sprint's or Verizon's EVDO coverage I have a 3G signal I never see go down to 1XRTT. However a lot of time I'm right smack dab in the middle of AT&T's 3G coverage I remember seeing my iPhone switch between 3G and EDGE or even stay in EDGE. I remember once at Wal-Mart right off I-10 in a town with full 3G coverage I was bragging about how I could find a cheaper price than what Wal-Mart was selling a DVD for to a few friends. I break out my iPhone 3GS and what do I have? 3 bars of GPRS.
Anyway, one night on tv, one of the "Mac vs. PC" ads came on, and did the normal anti-Windows push. The commercial directly following this? The Verizon commercial above. I realize that Verizon is targeting AT&T and not Apple, but still found it amusing.
"More wireless apps. Unlike Verizon, AT&T customers have access to more than 100,000 applications, more than with any other wireless company."
That is so pathetic! By no means has AT&T significantly contributed to Apple's appstore and its success!
Plus, their statement suggests that all customers (not only iPhone customers) have access to those apps. Which is false!
The question becomes, is this AT&Ts way of playing catch-up, or simply a maneuver to make their case against Verizon?
Either way, I don't care. I have 3G.
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