The story begins when Verizon launched a jab at AT&T with their network coverage advertisement “Verizons Map For That” depicting unfavorable conditions for AT&T. AT&T tried a counter with their suing Verizon but failed when the district judge appointed to their case ruled that the Advert was fair but sneaky and could be misleading. The round went to Verizon on that one.

Now for the next round, it looks like Verizon has launched another pre-emptive attack against AT&T. Their move now is about their 4G network coverage and market. Their latest promotional poster shows their red markers overwhelming the blue markers. Now when AT&T counters back with another Sue attack, this can get ugly.

There is hope yet, since Verizon’s labeling of their LTE network as 4G is a misnomer. LTE is still 3G since it was first released on the market last 2009 and does not fulfill the ITU-R requirement of 1Gbit/s for them to be named as 4G. With 4G networks, people can easily download and stream data at blindingly fast transfer rates that leaves current broadband systems in the dust although this could mean the death of other small time ISP’s.

Boys from engadget had done a little diddling and voila! A rare-find was found. What was it? Well, it turns out that AT&T and Verizon already had this lawsuit-bout last July for claiming the title for “America’s Most Reliable 3G Network” , “America’s Best 3G Network” and “America’s Most Reliable Wireless Network” and it turns out that Verizon was the undisputable winner for this lawsuit charges. (click to enlarge)

Interesting enough, this revelation could spell the end of all AT&T’s bragging that they are World’s No.1 3G network etc, today. If you will put your feet on the shoes of AT&T,  one can see that it’s pointless to still wage a lawsuit charge over an adversary (Verizon) if a prior decision has already been done and you are the biggest loser!

Now, I’m not proclaiming that’s the only reason why AT&T finally decided to stop  the charges against V, there could be a lot of other factors involve which won’t be release to public.

For an icebreaker here’s the latest ads of Verizon this week to poke AT&T (This was before the peace-treaty today) Just to reminisce the AT&T – Verizon Wars.

As the saying goes, “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” – Sherlock Holmes

Recap: On October, 2009 Verizon Released the ads, “There’s a map for that” wherein it portrays they cover as much as 5 times the 3G coverage than AT&T’s 3G. AT&T filed a lawsuit stating this is not true and the commercial was very misleading because of these facts:

- It shows to the viewers that AT&T phones do not work at all outside of the 3G coverage area

- The map was inaccurate for it didn’t include their EDGE 2.5G – speed 0.4mbits (which they said is at par with the speed of Evdo Rev A 0.6 – 1.4mbits) EvDo: Evolution Data Optimized A is the current 3G mobile broadband technology used by Verizon, Sprint, and Alltel that provides typical speeds of 600-1400kbps download (with bursts up to 2000kbps)

Appleinsider made a comparisson on why does the 2.5G be included in the MAP diagram:

But as you can see Edge 2.5 is not really at par with the speed of EvDo. Why? EDGE 2.5G has a ceiling point of 384kbps meaning it doesn’t really have a max speed or even a burst speed. In short, its speed is relatively constant.
Now if you will look at the speed of EvDo Rev A – It can go as fast as 1.4mbits with a burst speed of 2Mbits. Subtract that with the weak Edge 2.5G service and we will yield a difference of 1.2 – 1.8 mbits. On the telecommunication world, having a 1 mbit advantage over other network carrier is a HUGE advantage.

So would there still be any reason why EDGE should be included on the map?

And also, the advertisement was clearly talking about 3G network not 1G, 2G or 2.5G – We believe there’s nothing misleading about that fact.

That’s our own opinion, now here’s what Verizon has to say about the lawsuit filed to them by AT&T. Get the whole package here. We summarize the keypoints of Verizon for better understanding.

Introduction:

AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon’s “There’s A Map For That” advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon’s ads are true and the truth hurts.

AT&T now is attempting to silence Verizon’s ads that include maps graphically depicting the geographic reach of AT&T’s 3G network as compared to Verizon’s own 3G network because AT&T does not like the truthful picture painted by that comparison.

Here are some of the false-theories AT&T submitted to the court to request a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) to Verizon.

AT&T claims that the ads are “literally false” or “false by necessary implication” because they supposedly lead to only one plausible conclusion — that AT&T’s phones do not work at all outside of the 3G coverage area

Verizon’s reply: This claim makes no sense. Not only can the ads be interpreted to refer to the comparatively limited geographic scope of AT&T’s 3G service, they cry out for that interpretation: each ad speaks of 3G coverage repeatedly, the maps used in each are clearly labeled “3G,”

The coverage maps in Verizon’s advertisements are accurate; Verizon does in fact offer “5X More 3G Coverage Than AT&T.” Because the ads are expressly truthful, AT&T is forced to attack them under two different, but equally faulty theories.

AT&T alternatively argues that, although the ads expressly and consistently convey truthful information about 3G service, they imply the misleading impression that AT&T has no coverage whatsoever outside of the 3G area.

Verizon’s reply: This claim cannot be accepted without convincing evidence that consumers are actually misled. Especially where literally true speech is at stake, and basic equity require actual proof that ads are misleading. As to four of the five challenged ads, AT&T has presented no evidence of consumer deception. This alone is a sufficient basis to deny AT&T’s motion as to these ads.

Conclusion:

In the final analysis, AT&T seeks emergency relief because Verizon’s sideby- side, apples-to-apples comparison of its own 3G coverage with AT&T’s confirms what the marketplace has been saying for months: AT&T failed to invest adequately in the necessary infrastructure to expand its 3G coverage to support its growth in smartphone business, and the usefulness of its service to smartphone users has suffered accordingly. AT&T may not like the message that the ads send, but this Court should reject its efforts to silence the messenger.

Trivia:

Verizon also brough-up on their statement some of the ads made by AT&T during the past years, claiming they are the “Nation’s Fastest 3G network”. Pertaining to USA.

July 2008, AT&T announced: “For customers who want access to blazing-fast wireless broadband service, there’s one clear choice among all U.S. carriers. AT&T Inc….today announced it offers the nation’s fastest third-generation (3G) network[.]”

AT&T also claimed to have the infrastructure to support the “Nation’s Fastest 3G Network.”

For our readers, If you can remember those times wherein AT&T claims they are fastest 3G network, you can see Verizon is just silent and never filed a complaint nor whine that AT&T has no proof for those assertions. The company has just concentrated on widening their coverage to the whole USA. Today, AT&T is now seeing the bitter TRUTH on how Verizon surpassed them in terms of 3G coverage to the map of USA.

In one of Verizon’s counter statement:

Through the investment of billions of dollars over several years, Verizon actually did what AT&T wants the world to believe: Verizon constructed a truly nationwide network for 3G services. For more than a year, Verizon’s website has included nationwide coverage maps accurately comparing the scope of its 3G coverage to the scope of AT&T’s 3G coverage.

There you go! That’s the side of Verizon, as you can see both companies really did submit good evidences to back their claims it will be up to the Judges now to decide. We aren’t lawyers here but I think we already have our own decision :)

btw, you can show us your reactions through your comments.

Updates (November 19, 2009) : Look what we got here? It appears judges made a decision about the lawsuit already and guess what? It’s on the side of Verizon. You will never guess what AT&T did next.