Verizon and AT&T are now locked up in a full-blown marketing (and legal) battle over AT&T’s network.
Verizon started the volley when it launched a series of ads comparing Verizon’s 3G network to AT&T’s via their 3G network coverage map – Verizon claims to have 5X the coverage of AT&T by square miles.
AT&T struck back with ads of its own – but in an embarrassing marketing decision, they chose to ignore the issue of 3G coverage altogether, instead focusing on other issues, like 3G speeds (FYI AT&T: my 3G speeds in areas without coverage average 0 Mbps).
Et tu, Luke?
AT&T actually filed a lawsuit against Verizon that their ads are misleading and deceptive.
Which led pretty much everyone who knows anything about the issue to say ‘WHA?’
AT&T, listen, we aren’t morons – Verizon called you out on your 3G coverage. Your 3G coverage is relatively poor, and Verizon’s is (much) better – period. The maps speak for themselves.
Verizon’s ads are not only totally legitimate, but especially *relatable* to the customers who use your network every day. None of us AT&T users even *needed* to see this ad to understand that your coverage is bad – you’ve been called on the carpet on it time and time again.
AT&T needs to stand up and take responsibility for its coverage issues head-on and stop dodging them. The iPhone is seeing better and better competition in the smartphone marketplace and the iPhone won’t be exclusive to AT&T forever.
I don’t think AT&T has a clue had badly this retaliatory campaign against Verizon is backfiring. Its as if they are in total denial. To file suit against a company for a totally legitimate, relevant, and responsible ad promoting its superior service coverage is just sad.
I know myself personally that as soon as Verizon – or even Sprint – has the iPhone (or a better smartphone), I will be glad to switch carriers and go back to the signal quality I previously enjoyed as a Sprint and Verizon customer.
2 responses so far ↓
1 John Dodrill // Jul 9, 2011 at 10:55 am
I can’t speak to Verizon’s 3G but my AT&T phone, tethered to my computer spanks Verizon’s FIOS which problem largely stems from FIOS’ DNS. AT&T is also, to the best of my knowledge, not censoring which sites I visit. For instance, if you have FIOS, try visiting bigbandnet.com For that matter, it took a quite a bit of diligence just to get stationstops.com up on FIOS, even with the 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2 DNS. Google DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 is a nightmare on FIOS. Furthermore, Verizon’s customer post-subscription customer service amount to some surly ‘lady’ who feels you should pay even more, however, before you subscribe, they’re quite attentive. Verizon’s on-line customer service is there in name only. Leaving them a message may make you feel good. You will likely be quite old before they get back to you. I’m still waiting….
2 Chris (Admin) // Jul 9, 2011 at 11:30 am
if you haven’t called Verizon FiOs support about your issues, you should, as they have been the best and most knowledgable support team Ive had for consumer broadband, and yours isnt a normal FiOs experience by a longshot. Yeah, I had to change DNS servers, but under no circumstances was the original or alternative DNS server experience a nightmare, nor would I consider my 3G (!) ATT service to even remotely approach the performance, speed, reliability and support I have had with FiOS.
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