Filed under: Odds and ends, iPhone
AT&T loses first round in battle over Verizon ads
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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ErnieP said 8:02PM on 11-18-2009
Android FTW!
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pee tee said 10:00PM on 11-19-2009
What a loser indeed, and they even used Luke Wilson to made the ridiculous video. One of the reason why this advertisement failed to give
impact on viewers coz it sounds too farfetched/ wrong timing and guess what? Copycat to the "there's an app for that ads"
Don't believe us? see the detailed review: http://bit.ly/Review-ATT-made-a-loser-ads-against-verizon
Can't wait to see the next bout on December 16.. Verizon FTW!
puhsitch said 8:37PM on 11-18-2009
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...
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battletops said 8:42PM on 11-18-2009
Good. The Verizon ads spoke the truth. It's about time AT&T faced the fact that their 3G coverage is terrible in comparison.
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Jordan said 9:53PM on 11-18-2009
I agree. AT&Ts rebuttal is also pathetic. They say they have "Access to over 100,000 apps"...but what they don't mention is that it's only possible one ONE of their phones...that being the iPhone, and the 100,000 apps has nothing to do with AT&T.
(They also don't mention that 50% of those 100,000 are fart apps, but I'll let that one slide)
jb510 said 1:25AM on 11-19-2009
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.
Jack Chance said 9:28PM on 11-18-2009
i like the iphone, but i miss verizon's network.
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Jordan said 9:54PM on 11-18-2009
I like the iPhone as well, but it's not worth putting up with paying so much for crappy service. This is why I will be leaving my iPhone in a few months unless Apple adds another provider.
Jack Chance said 9:56PM on 11-18-2009
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.
CaptCaveman said 11:23PM on 11-18-2009
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...
JM said 9:59PM on 11-18-2009
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.
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Stars Fan said 12:21AM on 11-19-2009
Hooray for Verizon!!
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mark said 12:26AM on 11-19-2009
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.
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loup407 said 12:39AM on 11-19-2009
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.
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mr_fastener said 1:49AM on 11-19-2009
ATT charges premium prices for inferior cel service. Time to put up or shut up!
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henryqng said 12:35PM on 11-19-2009
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.
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KJP said 1:09PM on 11-19-2009
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.
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