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AT&T issues customer memo attacking Verizon ads

updated 11:40 am EST, Fri November 13, 2009

 

Carrier continues attempts to deflect criticism


AT&T has turned to direct communication in order to discourage customers from believing recent Verizon TV ads. The carrier has issued a new memo, claiming the ads are "so blatantly false and misleading" that it has to "set the record straight" about data coverage. It notes for instance that roughly 233 million Americans should have access to AT&T 3G, while 301 million can fall back to EDGE (2.5G) service, and 303 million have at least GPRS.

Verizon ads however have focused not on population but the geographic distribution of AT&T's 3G coverage, particularly as it relates to the iPhone. A collection of areas in the US remain without 3G, which can negate the benefit of the iPhone's unlimited data plans. AT&T is nevertheless pursuing a lawsuit, charging that Verizon is giving the impression that many areas in the US have no AT&T coverage at all. It is asking that the 3G-related ads be pulled.


By Electronista Staff

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iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, networking, mobile phones, advertising

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Previous Comments

  1. chris2519

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2008

    +14
    11/13, 12:11pm | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    they should save their breath

    I'm an AT&T subscriber and I post about this every chance I get -- because the coverage seriously sucks. It sucks so bad that the fact that they can even CLAIM to offer reliable service borders on fraud, and I truly wish there would be class action suits against them for this very reason. The ONLY reason I stick it out, year after year, is because I love my iPhone. And that is the ONLY reason. Only. Only. Only. I live in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, below the Hollywood sign, in a heavily populated residential area. I still cannot get a signal in my own home. This, in the second largest city in the entire country. If it's this bad HERE, how much worse can it be in less populated areas, and in those "unmapped" areas in the rest of the country depicted on those maps in Verizon's ads that AT&T is so adamantly protesting. (Sorry, but I find those Verizon ads hilarious.) Perhaps if AT&T would put the money that it gets from bilking customers every month for crappy service, and built out a reliable infrastructure, they'd have more of a leg to stand on. They suck, and they deserve the criticism. End of story.


  1. DeezNutts

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2008

    +5
    11/13, 12:51pm | report spam | reply

    must be getting to them


    AT&T has been freaking out lately about this.

    Really makes me think Verizon nailed it with this ad campaign. lol


  1. joelcpa

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Oct 2002

    +5
    11/13, 12:57pm | report spam | reply

    comment title

    why not invest in better coverage and stop wasting time with this silly lawsuit?


  1. Haroscarfel

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2007

    0
    11/13, 01:17pm | report spam | reply

    bad coverage in austin

    I used to have great coverage before i relocated to the austin area. Now in my apartment i cant get range. ATT says it must be something about the building, would have bought this excuse if i had coverage in my car in front of or any where around the parkinglot near my apartment.

    i wish i could break the contract but since im way in my contract i dont have that option. I love my iphone but hate att. make me want to go back to tmobile, they have great coverage here.

    Id like to see if this hybrid iphone is true. im open to verizon at this point.


  1. FastAMX79

    Junior Member

    Joined: Sep 2000

    -1
    11/13, 04:12pm | report spam | reply

    LOL!!!!

    I wanted an iPhone for a long time, but will NEVER EVER goto AT&T.... and seeing as how they are reacting to VZW, I am glad I made that choice.

    I have friends with iPhones (and other phones on ATT) and in Chicago he almost NEVER has 3G, and is stuck mostly on EDGE.

    AT&T got called out by VZW, and now they are scared. ATT needs to be improving their network, not suing people for truth. Besides, the ads say "3G Coverage". Last time I checked, 3G is a lot different than EDGE or 1x data.

    Yeah, I may not have the number 1 phone in the world (Palm Pre) but at least I get solid EVDO coverage, and my calls don't drop.

    Hey AT&T... what happened to all that money you got from the governmnt to 'improve your network'? As VZW has shown the US, it sure as h*** didn't goto your network!


  1. Flying Meat

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jan 2007

    +3
    11/13, 04:59pm | report spam | reply

    just adding more

    AT&T needs to look at themselves in this. AT&T is the company that should be ashamed. I clearly understood the 3G coverage maps didn't mean "no service" in those ads.

    Don't send a friggin' message saying what most of us already knew, AT&T. You are wasting money you could be spending on building out your 3G coverage, because you are clearly not doing well by your existing customers in that regard, and certainly can't complain.
    Your customers would be happier and you wouldn't have to whine. Lamers.


  1. mserv2001

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2001

    +2
    11/13, 09:11pm | report spam | reply

    AT&T Coverage

    I agree with everyone above. One complement I would like to give to AT&T though, is that after calling 611 on my iPhone a couple of times complaining about the poor coverage in my particular area, a few months later after my complaints, last week I received a text message direct from AT&T that they just activated a new cell tower in my area and now I get all 5 signal bars now. Based on my experience, if you are not getting satisfactory coverage where you are, then definitely call AT&T and complain. When I talked to the AT&T 611 operator, she told me to tell other AT&T subscribers to call in and complain also. If AT&T get enough complaints, AT&T will remedy the problem sooner than later.


  1. slapppy

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2008

    -1
    11/14, 12:45am | report spam | reply

    Its a lie

    If you look at the AT&T map, there is a couple of dots missing. Add those and Verizon now has 4.9999999999999999999999999999x more coverage than AT&T. So AT&T should waste millions complaining.


  1. mhollis

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2000

    +1
    11/14, 04:03pm | report spam | reply

    Looked at my area and routes

    I used to take a regular route into NYC from New Haven. Calls dropped regularly, though that is sometimes a good thing when you're sitting on a train with a load of passengers.

    But I looked closely at AT&T's "coverage" map on their website. There's a link to it in their statement. I know exactly where coverage dropped on the train, where there were no bars and my iPhone would tell me there was "no service." AT&T maps claim i had constant service from one end of my route to another.

    Sure wish I had what they're smoking.

    Then I looked around my home in Hartford County, CT. I know right where I lose coverage and where getting a signal is impossible. AT&T claims I have continuous coverage everywhere I go and I'm not talking 3G data, I'm talking simple cellular connection.

    So now they're lying with their "new and improved map" of coverage. I suppose they think that, if you tell a lie enough, it will gain "truthiness." But despite the "truthiness" of their repeated lies, I do know where all phone service drops out.


  1. Fides

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2009

    +1
    11/16, 10:00am | report spam | reply

    No Coverage at All

    There is no coverage at all by AT&T where I live. I keep asking when it will come. They keep giving the same PR that they are working to provide the best coverage. It's been years and still nothing. Apple should make a phone compatible with Verizon so those of us without AT&T coverage can finally get an iPhone.


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