AT&T strikes back at Verizon with new 3G commercials
updated 09:10 pm EST, Wed November 18, 2009
Carrier hires film actor Luke Wilson
AT&T has fired back at Verizon's "there's a map for that" commercials by launching its own critical ad. The carrier hired film actor Luke Wilson, who guides viewers through a chart comparing several aspects of the 3G networks. Wilson credits AT&T with having the fastest network, the ability to simultaneously use voice and Internet, the most popular smartphones and access to over 100,000 apps.
Wilson claims to be running through a comparison of the "3G experience," although only two of the talking points are directly related to the 3G network. The 100,000 apps reference is also limited just to the iPhone, not the entire range of "popular smartphones." Many users have complained that AT&T's "fastest 3G" claim is inaccurate in most real-world situations, particularly in large cities with heavy traffic on the data networks.
Verizon contends to have a 3G coverage area five times greater than AT&T, a claim the latter carrier does not dispute. AT&T nonetheless sued Verizon over the ads, arguing that consumers would be unable to understand that the commercials are only referring to the 3G network.
Verizon's strongly worded court filing accuses its competitor of suing only because the map ads are true and "the truth hurts." Despite an attempt by AT&T to have the commercials banned, the court has denied the injunction requests and the ads continue to be viewed on television and web portals such as YouTube.
Hallelujah
11/18, 09:35pm reply
May AT&T go down in flames.
Paul Huang
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
Uh huh...
11/18, 09:39pm reply
After getting bashed around by Verizon, this the best they can come up with? Decidely lame.
Butch Hauke
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
They haven't started talking about
11/18, 10:59pm reply
each other's mommas yet. I'll enjoy hearing it when that happens.
As long as AT&T has the iPhone, it'll be a clear winner. I doubt that the Motorola Droid is going to make much of a difference in pulling in lots of customers for Verizon.
iphonerulez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
Ok....
11/19, 12:45am reply
....like Verizon is all that much 'better' than AT&T. They all suck, period.
JuanGuapo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
pretty bad
11/19, 12:54am reply
again… they could have put this money (used for the commercial), and put it into making 3G work in westwood. better yet, throughout all the areas that were empty in those Verizon commercials.
Grant Marzette
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2009
Can't talk and surf?
11/19, 12:54am reply
I knew the older 1xRTT networks wouldn't allow simultaneous data and voice, but I didn't know the same problem still existed with EvDO. That sucks. That would be a deal killer for me by myself.
driven
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: May 2001
I used to like Luke Wilson
11/19, 02:14am reply
But now he's just a sell-out actor being paid enough to lie in ads. Clearly, the guy has never had to drive over Barham Blvd. from Burbank to Hollywood while on the phone. Or drive past Sunset and Crescent Heights. Or Sunset and Fairfax. Or anywhere below the Hollywood sign in Beachwood Canyon. All of which are highly populated areas and major roadways that still, inexplicably, do not have cell service. Yet we still pay $90 a month to these a-holes. Maybe they should put their resources into FIXING THEIR SERVICE instead of engaging in pissing contents with their competition.
P.S. What's Luke been snacking on?
chris2519
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2008
No voice & data?
11/19, 02:58am reply
No voice & data at the same time? Hmmmm
slapppy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2008
Here's an idea
11/19, 08:29am reply
Stop using AT&T. If enough people leave AT&T, especially people that would buy an iPhone, Apple would take more notice and move their phone to a better cel service. It's been a bit painful for me not to buy an iPhone, especially when a lot of me friends and co-workers have them, but I much prefer my pristine service on Sprint. We even have 4G where I live, now if only Sprint had a 4G phone to go with it.
Tim_s
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
Yes! no voice+data
11/19, 09:17am (1 reply) reply
They need to emphasize Verizon's weakness in not being able to run both data and voice. I am often finding myself in a conversation where I can just google something relevant and send it to them or downloading an app they mention while I'm still talking to them.
Here's a kicker as well:
I go to church in Worcester, MA and no one else but AT&T even comes in. And AT&T comes in with full bars and 3G coverage. It's quite nice.
In the end all wireless companies do suck!
One more thing,
If you are that attached to Sprint or any other EVDO network, just get an iPod touch otherwise unlock an iPhone and use it on T-Mobile or some other GSM carrier.
crackedpot
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2008