AT&T sues Verizon over 'there's a map for that' ads
By Nilay Patel 
posted November 3rd 2009 4:00PM
posted November 3rd 2009 4:00PM
AT&T also says its network reaches about the same number of people as Verizon's, so we're thinking it's a little miffed that it's being portrayed as an also-ran here. We'll update as we learn more, keep it locked!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.
Update: So this seems like a very narrow lawsuit, actually. As we've been told, AT&T thinks Verizon is trying to fool viewers into thinking 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. We can see how that could be misleading, but at some point you've got to compare apples to apples, and AT&T even says it has "no quarrel with Verizon advertising its larger 3G network" in its complaint, so we'll see how the court reacts.
Update 2: Interestingly, Verizon's already changed the ads once at AT&T's behest, editing them to remove the phrase "out of touch" and adding a "Voice and data services available outside of 3G areas" small print disclaimer at the end. Apparently that wasn't enough for AT&T, which says the ads still confuse non-technical viewers into thinking AT&T provides no service at all outside of its 3G coverage.
Update 3: Okay, we've read everything -- there's really not much more to this suit than the arguments over the maps. We're thinking Verizon could have easily dealt with this by just using dark blue and light blue on the AT&T map to differentiate between 3G and 2G coverage, but at this point we don't think Ma Bell is all that interested in anything except getting these ads off the air. All that said, it's hard to deny that Verizon's ads made a perfectly valid point: using an iPhone on AT&T's network in New York or San Francisco is an exercise in frustration, regardless of whether you have 2G or 3G, and we've had zero problems on Verizon. Let's just hope AT&T is working as hard to fight these ads with its actual service as it is with its lawyers.
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I am sick of seeing coverage "stretched" over areas they have no coverage in.
was in Best Buy: overheard the Mobile rep(re:iPhone) explaining that AT&T's 3G is indeed less than Verizon - but the voice was 'all over'. Yes - they were specifically asking about the marketing from Verizon. Is it truthful - yes. Misleading - really a possibility.
you know, the problem is, they're barking because they're using legit maps, it's a map provided by AT&T even, and to the people claiming "it's not fair because they have 2G coverage where they don't have 3G coverage and the map doesn't show that" ok, apply the same to verizon's map, if they had their 2G (i.e. 1X) on the map it'd be even fuller, the commercial and ad campaign is directed at 3G which only came up because of AT&T's attempts to brag about having a better faster more widespread 3G network.
For those commenting on it based on the fact that consumers look at a map and assume that's total coverage, I agree, I'm in one of the areas that the map barely shows anything for VZW and get to explain the map all the time, that it's just indicating our 3G or high speed data network, not our actual voice coverage, so, you're right, but, it doesn't mean that they're intending to mislead, only that customers don't pay attention to exactly what the maps/ads say. Personally, I like the ads, no matter what carrier I have, I like that someone's putting a comparison map out there in the public eye so that the respective carriers have to answer for their own service they're offering and what they've been telling their customers.
If maps showing coverage vs coverage were compared instead of comparing 3G.. AT&T would still suck..
Guess what AT&T and Verizon? You are both guilty of providing bogus coverage maps and there is an app for that its called The People's Court of Dead Cell Zones. http://www.deadzones.com/2009/11/theres-map-for-that.html
I liked all the features the IPhone had to offer so I thought I'd give it a try. It was apparent that after a week it wasn't going to work for me. Dropped phone calls was the bigest problem. I returned the phone, paid the restocking charge and expected a bill from AT&T for the service. Last week I receive a call from a collection agency claiming I owe AT&T. I do but where is the bill? I assume that instead of just mailing me the bill they gave it to their collection company. By the way, I paid the bill on the spot when the collection agency called.
AT&T: I PAY MY BILLS, THERE WEAS NO NEED TO PUT IT IN COLLECTIION.
Well, Verizon seems undeterred by the lawsuit. Saw this little beauty of an ad last night on TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JgrBtn8XdU
As a huge fan of the Christmas special featuring the Island of Misfit Toys, I thought this was terrific marketing!
Never had a problem with AT&T. Fast and reliable for me always on the iPhone. Why so many haters. Verizon does get a lot of customers by outright lying let alone all the misleading. I'm glad someone is trying to hold them accountable. Also, my iPhone worked great while I traveled around Japan... But Verizon phones work globally, too right? Oh wait...
I just find it funny they are nit-picking over a graphic, when that they use the term and phrase "there's a map for that" when verbalized, sounds likes the iPhone commercial stating "there's an app for that". Seriously. Talk about misleading. Where's Apple's lawsuit?
My 3G coverage is fine where I live, but AT&T doesn't really have a case here except to convince someone that consumers are idiots. Despite the fact that most of them are, Verizon got the map directly from AT&T's website. AT&T really has no comeback from here.
Although it was pretty clever for Verizon to keep the back door open for the iPhone in the Misfit Toys commercial. "Why are you here? You're such a cool phone! Oh, it's because you have a second-rate network, that's why!"
I hope you all realize that AT&T's Edge(2.5g) network is just slightly slower then Verizon's 3g network(real world speeds) and has the same coverage area. Then there's AT&T's 3g network, which is double the speed of Verizons 3g network, which of course V doesn't mention. Now in addition to all this V is at or near the top of their network tech and needs vast hardware upgrades to bring it to the next level. AT&T on the other hand is near the beginning of their network tech and will soon be rolling out HSPA which is 2x the speed of their existing 3g network hitting 7.2mbps theoretical, and even support for enhanced HSPA which is 14mbps. Data wise, AT&T is on the upswing, and in another year or so will widen the gap. In major markets AT&T has it rough because data usage is much higher in general on their networks then their competitors and they end up getting a rush hour effect, clearly they need more infrastructure in these places.
I had A cheap Non 3G Samsung, And I have Noticed Where i don't have Edge Coverage, I have the Gigawire... I believe that's whats called but anyway I almost have Coverage Anywhere in California.... Look at all the Facts Before Anyone Starts To "Bitch"
I am a Verizon user use to be Alltell. I want Alltel back. Since Verizon took over I have had nothing but issues and I get no breaks at all to keep me. Now I am promised things will be fixed after my 30 days of getting into this contract. Now that I am in things have been getting worse. Lets just say now I find out someone calls me from a voice mail notification. I dont even get calls coming in. I have been in the store many times. They tell me it is a tower update. How long does it take to update these towers. It has been an on going excuse since Septemeber. I am done being part of a crappy coverage. Verizon sucks and ATT is way better cause at least I can make a call. I cant call or get incoming calls and I am still paying top notch for this junk service. Anyone want to explain that to me. I am not a rocket science but I agree with ATT that Verizon is liers. They have lied to my face via person and commercial.
come on people! cant you tell that AT&T is right? that isnt true that Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, etc. doesnt have service. att has service everywhere, verizon is just jealous and needs to know that people go to att for a reason