Heads up! another ridiculous advertisement coming your way – After seeing the iDont commercial and their terminator-like promotion, only time can tell what kind of ludicrous-publicity the Verizon “gang” will be heading on to.
Yesterday, engadget featured an article about Verizon Network getting sued by AT&T. Reason? The latter believes the latest commerical of Verizon (There’s a Map For That) is trying to fool viewers to think that they can’t use any AT&T phone services outside of 3G coverage areas by showing two essentially different maps. Since Verizon’s entire network is 3G, the gaps in the red map are actual service gaps — but Verizon doesn’t show that the gaps on the AT&T map might be covered by AT&T’s huge 2G network.
In essence, we believe the ads mislead consumers into believing that AT&T doesn’t offer ANY wireless service in the vast majority of the country. In fact, AT&T’s wireless network blankets the US, reaching approximately 296M people. Additionally, our 3G service is available in over 9,600 cities and towns. Verizon’s misleading advertising tactics appear to be a response to AT&T’s strong leadership in smartphones. We have twice the number of smartphone customers… and we’ve beaten them two quarters in a row on net post-paid subscribers. We also had lower churn — a sign that customers are quite happy with the service they receive.
Now to a non-techie viewer, the ads might appear AT&T only reaches to a few areas in US, being dominated by Verizon Carrier – portrayed as the reddish heatmap. Also, with that screenshot “5x More Coverage”, Doesn’t it look like more than 5 times the coverage? Frankly, it does look like 10x to me. Another exageration perhaps? We will let the lawyers of Verizon answer that.
The controversial advertisement.
Something tells me we’ll be seeing more of this dillema very soon. May we remind our viewers, sometimes you may think that its just okay to ridicule an adversary but on the corporate side, there has never been a cool-headed tiger. Now, Verizon see that everybody has their boiling-point.
I find it hard to laugh now especially with a lawsuit filed against me.
Updates (November 8, 2009): Now it seems the Verizon gang have prepared another comical mockery over AT&T fit for this yuletide season to come. Be the judge, if the messages of the vids are against AT&T.
It seems Christmas will never be peaceful with these two companies.
Nov 13, 2009 Updates: AT&T manages to lay-out all of the reasons why they will be suing Verizon plus see the “There’s a misinterpretation for that” image for a better understanding why AT&T is getting too onion-skinned on the matter. A little hint: The conflict is about not including AT&T’s Zedge on the picture :D
(source: online.wsj.com)
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Tags: at&T lawsuit charge against verizon, AT&T vs verizon, there's a heatmap for that ads, Verizon Network VS AT&T, verizon ridicules AT&T
The James Bara VS. Google case is now online at the AllRise court. Join the debate and cast your vote – http://bit.ly/AllRise268
I think these ads are brilliant marketing – Verizon has been sitting quietly and playing nice ever since AT&T launched the iPhone. They’ve decided to quit being so sweet and really take the gloves off.
Frankly, I’m insulted that AT&T thinks all consumers are such illiterate imbeciles that we would interpret the commercial that way, and I think they’ll lose this lawsuit. The ads clearly state “3G” coverage – not voice coverage, not slower data coverage. They are comparing apples to apples. Plus, the fine print on the bottom of the ads states that these coverage maps come from AT&T’s website. Doubt the commercials? Think that Verizon might be referring to total coverage (because you can’t read “3G”?) – be a good consumer and do some research for yourself!
This article points out that Verizon’s entire coverage area is 3G, as compared to AT&T’s very very small 3G area – as if that were a flaw? Good on them for actually investing in their network with the higher rates they charge (as compared to Tmobile, Sprint). Verizon’s and AT&T’s service costs are very similar – what is AT&T doing with all that money if not providing their customers with the best network money can buy? If I were an AT&T customer, I’d want some answers.
The screenshot clearly says “3G coverage” in large type. Not sure how that’s supposed to be misleading
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maybe this will give at&t incentive to update their friggin network :)
BTW… These maps are not created by Verizon. They are maps made by a 3rd party with no axe to grind with either carrier, so the 5X is not false or an exaggeration of any sorts. Notice that at&t doesn’t even brush on this as being the issue!!! (hmmm, next year Verizon Wireless will be rolling out it’s 4G network… Then they’ll be able to show a completely blank at&t map!) …oh, and I will be surprised if Verizon’s 4G network doen’t come with an iPhone offering, possibly even at launch.
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Thank you for the comments, we had posted AT&T VS VERIZON: There’s a misinterpretation for that for a better understanding why AT&T is filing a lawsuit charge against Verizon. Thank you
I Live in Louisiana as a production manager. During hurricane season i have to call employees to give them the all clear to clear to come back to work. I can tell the AT&T customers, because the call will not go through. During Katrina Verizon was the ONLY cell company that didn’t lose service. Even AT&T reps use Verizon in Louisiana due to that FACT.
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