AT&T Fires Back Against Verizon for Colorful Maps in 3G Commercials
Posted 11/03/09 at 07:33:11 PM by Ryan Whitwam
Verizon thought they were so clever. Big Red’s recent “There’s a map for that” adverts seem to have ruffled some feathers over at AT&T. Now AT&T has filed a federal lawsuit against Verizon for false advertising. The issue comes down to the maps shown in the commercial.
The ad compares 3G coverage areas for the two wireless providers side by side. The red Verizon map, of course, looks much more filled in. AT&T’s map looks sparse by comparison. What many less savvy consumers might not follow is that this is only showing AT&T’s 3G, not EDGE. While Verizon’s entire network is 3G, AT&T still has significant areas covered only by slower EDGE service. AT&T claims that the ad leads people to believe that AT&T does not have coverage at all in the un-highlighted areas.
Indeed, the original version of the ad said that AT&T users outside the highlighted area were “out of touch”. Verizon removed that line and noted that non-3G voice and data were available, but AT&T still wasn’t happy. It’s not really an enviable position for AT&T to be in. They have to argue that Verizon should be making it clear that the AT&T network is available in more places – it’s just very, very slow. Everyone settle in, this might be entertaining.

ATT, Verizon 3 G
Submitted by antony150 on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 5:09pm
you're prior comments sound ignorant and without details. I've compared the blackberry phone's speed on verizon to the iphone on att and att is significantly faster and smooth. I can pull up a 10-k report on the iphone in the blink on an eye while my brand new tour (supposely the best blackberry ever) timed out, and died because the network was too slow. Sounds like you guys' experience on the verizon network is mainly for texting. I just came back from Spain as well, and was on a real network. It's called Vodafone, and is real 3G and my phone says 3G while back in the US. My phone does not say 3G. Verizon does not have true 3g and claim they have 3G. They claim they have more coverage which is a different statement than having a network that is quality. I'd rather have a faster network (quality),and less coverage, than a network with more coverage of a garbage network. Regardless, I've been on a true 3G network and trust me. Verizon does not have true 3G, and a verizon rep even said that they just call their highest speed a 3G speed.
Clarification
Submitted by mesiah on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 10:10pm
I had to clarify this for my wife just last night. While the commercial may be misleading for the uninformed, it is 100% accurate. I don't see how att has a leg to stand on in this one. Can you sue another company for advertising the truth? The funy thing is, att is pointing the finger at verizon and accusing them of doing things that there little baby apple does every day. If I had a dollar for every semi truth apple has spouted in a commercial I would be a rich man.
AT&T: Take care of your customers and spend some money upgrading your network instead of crying when other carriers point out just how inferior your service really is.
agreed totally
Submitted by aziobron on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 4:42pm
i was actually about to say what you sed in ur last little paragraph there..instead of pouting cuz their network sucks and filing a lawsuit about a commercial tht totally accurate and tru (although still deceiving to the uninformed) maybe AT&T should do some work on improving 3G coverage and dropped calls
There is an app for that --
Submitted by arkarkwin on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 10:04pm
Apple will be airing "There is an app to fix tha Gap app" soon. There have apps for everything, including an apps for getting connection in place where there is no AT&T 3G coverage.
There is also an apps to make iphone as inflatable device when drown yourself in sea.
There is also an apps for weight loss
apps to keep you company that created by empire club.
Wouldn't It Be Better If...
Submitted by w2ed on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 8:36pm
I realize I may be coming from a different point of view (AT&T Sucks! Verizon Sucks! There, I said it!), but wouldn't it make more sense to spend the money they're going to waste to go into court over this on actually improving customers service? I'm seeing all of these complaints about how much their network is too slow or doesn't work, and hear all this talk of repealing their unlimited plans - but they have the money to sue?
The best way to win over customers is to listen to them give them what they want - if you have the best service in the world, if you consistently maintain it to be the best service in the world, and you keep it reasonably competitive to or lower than your competitors, People will come, and people will stay. Don't waste your time suing Verizon, AT&T - you make yourselves look like douchebags and make customers like me want to go to Verizon.
(P.S. Just because you have the world's best phone doesn't mean you don't suck!)
Balls to the Walls
Submitted by Black Lable 69 on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 8:33pm
I've never seen so many lawsuits in such a short amount of time in my life. Indeed we are in troubled times, its getting to the point where 100 years from now getting a tattoo on your balls saying "Made in China" will get your ass fried.
LOL.BALLS TO THA MUTHA
Submitted by DBsantos77 on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 9:51pm
LOL.BALLS TO THA MUTHA TRUCKIN WALL.
-Santos
The commercials aren't
Submitted by cj100570 on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 5:57pm
The commercials aren't wrong. It clearly shows AT&T's 3G coverage map as it appears on AT&T's own site and Verizon is stating that they have better 3G coverage based on their service area. AT&T should suck it up and stop being a little b*tch!
"Semper Paratus"
I'm acutally suprised Apple
Submitted by mitpatterson on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 7:01pm
I'm acutally suprised Apple isn't suing for ripping off the "theres an app for that" instead of app, verizon used map, but mabey At&T is suing too for that same reason
mitpatterson
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