Have you seen those Verizon Wireless ads on TV, showing a map of the company’s 3G network coverage next to a far less inspiring map of competitor AT&T’s coverage? Those ads have now led the nation’s two largest mobile provides to a court fight.
Verizon’s “There’s a Map for That” campaign spoofs the “There’s an App for That” campaign by Apple, whose iPhone uses AT&T. In response to the Verizon campaign, AT&T filed suit against Verizon in federal court. AT&T claims the ad is misleading because it implies that AT&T customers can’t use their phones and cannot access the mobile Internet in areas where the carrier does not offer 3G wireless coverage. The truth is that AT&T customers can use their phones and they are able to access the wireless Net using the company’s slower EDGE network [CNET].
In response to AT&T’s initial complaint, Verizon tweaked the wording and the fine print on the ads to try to cover the company’s bases. But it says it won’t make further changes. “We stand behind our advertising. If they [AT&T] have a better map, we’d certainly like to see it. It’s clearly an accurate representation of our 3G coverage” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution], a Verizon spokesperson said, and then the company lawyers submitted a bitter legal response (pdf) to the suit. In Verizon’s reponse, the company says that “AT&T sued because Verizon’s ads are true and the truth hurts.”
Depending on a judge’s interpretation, AT&T might be able to show that the ads are misleading. But that will take time. As Verizon points out in its response, AT&T hasn’t exactly shown that there’s an emergency that would require the ads to come down immediately, so it seems that these ads will remain on TV for the foreseeable future [Ars Technica].
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Image: flickr / William Hook
November 17th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
“There an App for That”?
November 17th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
The first thought I had upon seeing this commercial was “That’s hilarious,” and the second thought was “Oh snap AT&T’s gonna be mad.”
Also, let me be the first to say, “there’s a SLAPP for that.”
November 17th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
That commerical was awesome. Whenever I go within a mile or so of Lake Michgan anywhere from Milwaukee to Chicago, I get no coverage. The truth does hurt. I am an AT&T customer, I seek to maybe join up with Verzion for the pluses.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Unknown’s situation sucks, but those ads really have no effect on me. The reason is that I get decent coverage in Seattle, and I never leave Seattle. I could care less about how AT&T performs in the 99.9% of the country that I spend 0% of my time in.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Those cell phones will just rot your brains!!!
November 18th, 2009 at 8:47 am
gaaaah. I delayed the iphone switch as long as I could for just those reasons. On bad days I can’t even use my cell phone from my HOUSE, much less while out. And ATT’s response is, “oh, two towers in your area are out. They have been for a year. You need to file a complaint.” Um, you know you have lost service in a 15 mile radius, you have for a YEAR, but it’s my job to TELL you?
We have to manually switch from 3g to edge depending on which side of the river valley we are on. And never go east! Other than that, my cellphone works fine….as long as I don’t need to call anybody!
November 18th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Thanks for catching the typo, Bob. Fixed it.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:54 am
hello.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Yes Pat, we can hear you. Welcome to the Verizon network.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I love my iPhone, it is the slickest gadget I’ve purchased in a long long time. However, AT&T drives me up the wall. I get spotty coverage where I work, when I visit my parents house I have no reception. AT&T seems take a view that they are doing great, therefore I should feel lucky to have them.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
DROID!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:21 am
As the two largest heirs to the old Ma Bell, AT&T and Verizon may compete in wireless, but they certainly haven’t improved their attitude toward their customers. Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine is still dead on in mocking the disdain that these companies appear to feel for the folks who pay the bills.
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