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AT&T loses first round in battle over Verizon ads

by Mel Martin Nov 18th 2009 at 8:00PM

The Associated Press is reporting that an Atlanta Federal judge has denied an AT&T request to pull the Verizon 'there's a map for that' ads.

The judge has set a December 16th hearing to give AT&T another chance to make a case.

AT&T filed suit earlier this month looking for a temporary restraining order to stop the ads, and wanted a permanent injunction to halt them. The ads say that the AT&T network is not up to the quality or range of the Verizon network, and shows two coverage maps to make the point. AT&T claims the maps are misleading, and injures the company reputation.

Verizon has said the commercials are truthful and accurate.

The case pits the two communication giants against each other as they fight for increasing shares of the mobile market. AT&T has an exclusive on the iPhone, and that has brought AT&T an increasingly growing share of mobile customers.

Verizon was reportedly offered an exclusive on the iPhone more than 2 years ago but turned it down. There have been sporadic reports that Verizon would like to get the iPhone back when the AT&T contract expires, but with some Verizon ads targeting the iPhone as well as AT&T that looks to be increasingly unlikely.




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The Associated Press is reporting that an Atlanta Federal judge has denied an AT&T request to pull the Verizon 'there's a map for that'...
 

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KJP

I guess I must be just lucky to live where AT&T doesn't have 3G issues, but even if I had to move it'd be hard to give up my iPhone investment over this. I'm no fan of AT&T but seeing Verizon repeatedly rag me (albeit indirectly) about an issue I have little control over doesn't win them many points from me either.

November 19 2009 at 1:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
henryqng

I just joined ATT july 2009 with the 3GS phone. I kept hearing about ATT 3G sucks but I didn't have that until last weekend. I live in Nanuet, New York. I went to Woodbery Commons in Central Valley, New York. It's about 15-20 miles from where I live. Then I discovered that all the complains were true.

There were no 3G signal at all and when I tried to access the internet for about 6 hours while I was shopping at Woodbery. The iPhone switched over to E (Edge) two times but I never got connected to the internet. If anyone does not believe this and live in New York or New Jersey area, you can go to Woodbery to verify the louzy ATT's 3G for yourself.

November 19 2009 at 12:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mr_fastener

ATT charges premium prices for inferior cel service. Time to put up or shut up!

November 19 2009 at 1:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
loup407

Mark, I agree with you. AT&T look like complete idiots. Their network is, in fact, inferior, at least here in Denver. I'd rather they spent the money on towers than ads.

November 19 2009 at 12:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mark

I sincerely wish AT&T would read comments on articles like this. I would tell them you people are MORONS. You are only hurting yourself by continuing this nonsense.

Your money is better spent INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE than wasting your lawyers' time with this playground mentality of yours. Nothing in Verizon's commercials are misleading.

November 19 2009 at 12:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stars Fan

Hooray for Verizon!!

November 19 2009 at 12:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JM

I'd move to Verizon if they offered the iPhone and it allowed me to roam overseas. Until then I will stick with my iPhone and the 2Mbps download speeds I get in LA.

I can't say I have a problem with that to be honest but it all depends on where you live and travel.

Whatever works for you people.

November 18 2009 at 9:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jack Chance

i like the iphone, but i miss verizon's network.

November 18 2009 at 9:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Jack Chance's comment
Jack Chance

i'm stuck on my ATT contract for another year.

Although, if i sold my 16GB 3G unlocked on ebay, that would probably cover my ETF.

November 18 2009 at 9:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CaptCaveman

I sold my 32gb 3GS on Ebay. I made enough from the sale to: cover the cost I paid for the 3GS, pay the ETF, and pay for my Droid.
I'm very happy that people really really like the iPhone...

November 18 2009 at 11:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
battletops

Good. The Verizon ads spoke the truth. It's about time AT&T faced the fact that their 3G coverage is terrible in comparison.

November 18 2009 at 8:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to battletops's comment
jbrown510

What's funny is AT&T is releasing a retaliatory ad which doesn't mention coverage ANYWHERE. It's like they're admitting their coverage sucks.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/ATT?v=feed&story_fbid=212764793153

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3PbBmElObI

It doesn't address Verizon's claim AT ALL, which makes it simply look like AT&T is hiding from the accusation.

You're fastest? so what if there is NO 3G service?
Talk and Surf? so what if there is NO 3G service?
Most popular smartphones? so what if... well you get the point. ...

AT&T should have shown a two color of data service saying Data Service and Data Service Even faster than Verizon's 3G... yes it's a bit misleading since EDGE speeds are slow, but it does directly respond to Verizon's claim and shows that Verizon's ads are even more misleading.

AT&T should have found a market where their coverage is more extensive than Verizon's and highlighted it.

AT&T should fire the morons that made this ad.

November 19 2009 at 1:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tdowling

As time passes after this campaign ends, I'm willing to bet that the general public, who isn't attending to every detail of every commercial, is going to remember the three most salient components of the ads: Verizon, iPhone, and better 3G coverage.

I think this could be a pretty strategic setup...

November 18 2009 at 8:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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