Apparently AT&T feels the damage of those ads has been sufficient to file a lawsuit:
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20091103/tc_nm/us_att_verizon_1
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20091103/tc_nm/us_att_verizon_1
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Verizon map of AT&T 3G coverage, true or false?
- Thread starter palmerc2
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ATT is shooting themselves in the foot.
By suing, reporters all over are now taking more notice of ATT's lack of 3G coverage.
The _last_ thing ATT should get involved with, is a public debate over their network. Not only about coverage, but their hyped up claim of being the fastest 3G network (in a few spots, perhaps).
Verizon constantly sends out dozens of test vehicles nationwide, with both their own and competing carrier phones. They probably know more about ATT's actual coverage, than ATT does with their computer generated models.
Not to mention quality. Remember back when the iPhone was announced, Cingular was getting reamed out for their "fewest dropped calls" ads, and had to drop them because they were just plain false. (Based on a paid survey of a tiny area.)
By suing, reporters all over are now taking more notice of ATT's lack of 3G coverage.
The _last_ thing ATT should get involved with, is a public debate over their network. Not only about coverage, but their hyped up claim of being the fastest 3G network (in a few spots, perhaps).
Verizon constantly sends out dozens of test vehicles nationwide, with both their own and competing carrier phones. They probably know more about ATT's actual coverage, than ATT does with their computer generated models.
Not to mention quality. Remember back when the iPhone was announced, Cingular was getting reamed out for their "fewest dropped calls" ads, and had to drop them because they were just plain false. (Based on a paid survey of a tiny area.)
Especially since AT&T isn't denying their 3G is that bad. They're just mad it doesn't show that there is voice/edge coverage over more of the area.
AT&T is absoluty right. The average consumer has no idea about the differences between 3G, Edge, Etc. Those Verizon ads can be misleading towards the non techy, which makes it seem like they would get absoluty no cell coverage at all.
Ads are misleading to the average citizen. People don't know what the hell 3G, GPRS, GSM or EDGE is. Anyone might think the 3G map for AT&T means actual coverage. Which is deception at the highest.
If Verizon really wants to compare networks, show AT&Ts EDGE networks which are considered 3G (Google that, you'll find EDGE is considered 3G but many regard it as 2.75G). AT&T might not have lots of 3G HSDPA/HSUPA towers but their UMTS and EDGE networks are vast.
If Verizon really wants to compare networks, show AT&Ts EDGE networks which are considered 3G (Google that, you'll find EDGE is considered 3G but many regard it as 2.75G). AT&T might not have lots of 3G HSDPA/HSUPA towers but their UMTS and EDGE networks are vast.
Just like ATT's own "best wireless coverage worldwide" ads, which makes it seem to non-techies like the USA would have best coverage as well.
If ATT ran EDGE at its highest theoretical speed, then it could be barely considered 3G. But they don't, so it's not.
Note that even ATT doesn't consider EDGE to be 3G, which is why their 3G map is so bare. So if ATT doesn't think it's 3G, why should anyone else?
The interesting thing about Verizon's map is that they show 3G service in areas where they don't even have voice service available. Granted, we're talking rural areas, but I've had my Centennial (soon to be AT&T) personal phone and my Verizon work phone, and neither gets coverage in some spots where I've spent lots of time. Verizon's voice and data maps show a blanket of service where there is none. AT&T's map looks like they use the same roaming towers Centennial uses, and if so, their maps appear to be accurate.
there is no wireless network that runs at full theoretical speed. it's impossible
The Verizon map is for the most case is true for what they call 3G. Verizon was able to upgrade their old towers with primarily a software change and call it 3G. Looking at the specs, it looks like Verizon true 3G (new equipment) is faster then what AT+T calls it's 3G but, the Verizon older towers that they are calling 3G are actually similar to AT+T Edge in speed. AT+T is unable to easily upgrade their towers to 3G which is why they show separate 3G and non-3G maps. Verizon calls everything on their map 3G.
- Verizon has more towers then AT+T and better coverage
- Both maps are most likely not correct
- I would like to see maps for both companies showing total coverage and true 3G coverage. Verizon should easily win the comparison without having to label their entire network 3G.
I don't think that's deception. While some people might think it means coverage, I think Verizon's being more honest about it than the average pharmaceutical/loan/bank/cell provider about it. All they showed on the map was AT&T's 3G coverage and fully disclosed that. Might some people be misled? Yes, but legally AT&T has no case. You wouldn't sue a bank for making contracts complicated and convoluted, full of legalese. That's what it's there for.
And EDGE isn't 3G. I like AT&T's service, but considering EDGE 3G for an ad is actually more misleading than what Verizon is trthfully doing.
Give me a source where EDGE is not a 3rd Generation technology. Also, not the same case. You are wireless literate, but anyone else will take that as a representation of coverage. See one of those ads show a guy (i think it was a guy, in any case someone) sitting down looking at a device that resembles an iPhone and the action (looking at the phone while the ad guy says "your friends don't get your calls or some bs like that" is a representation of no signal/no coverage. Where as a bit later you see a Verizon user showing full coverage. That's misleading, just because there isn't 3G, doesn't mean there is a EDGE network to carry you or for that matter, no 3G does not mean no signal.
No one runs their networks at full theoretical speeds. Implying they do is misleading at its best. True EDGE doesn't reach 3G speeds, but it is. I also pointed it out that many consider it a 2.75G technology.
Going to agree with this statement.
Not to mention they don't have a chance of winning. It's clearly stated by Verizon, can't blame them for America's stupidity.
AT&T has a good chance of winning not because Verizon is showing AT&T's low 3G coverage but rather because they are misleading the public about the extent of their 3G coverage. They are showing 3G coverage for all the territory in which they are claiming voice coverage. Not only does Verizon misrepresent areas in which they claim to have voice coverage and do not, but they are misrepresenting the amount of 3G coverage they have. In the state I live in, for example, they are showing 3G coverage for the western third of the state when in fact they have zero 3G coverage there. Also, a good portion of that area that they claim to have voice coverage in they have no coverage at all. In that area AT&T's coverage is just as good as Verizon's, but AT&T accurately shows the extend of their coverage on their maps.
Another thing Verizon does is show coverage for towers that are not theirs, but which Verizon users may roam on if they have a qualifying plan. This is out and out misrepresentation.
Verizon will lose the lawsuit not for showing the lack of AT&T's coverage, but for falsely claiming they have coverage in areas where they do not and they know they do not.
EXACTLY! Glad to see someone else is fully understanding what is going on in this advertisement case. Thank you.
So they dropped the lawsuit and reverted to throwing mud instead. Nice, real nice. Looks like that lawsuit was a suit they knew they couldn't win.
Whether it's right or not for their 3G coverage - and it's been discussed enough that Verizon's "3G" coverage includes 1X which is horribly, horribly slow and worse than EDGE - it is deceiving.
I was at lunch with my grandfather. He was asking me questions about Verizon and at&t and asked "Is that that map in the Verizon commercials the only places at&t gets coverage?"
He was one of the first computer teachers at his school. He worked for an Apple reseller for some time. He's one of the smartest 60+ men I know and he even had to ask that question.
Correct or not it was and still is deceiving. at&t should have kept up that lawsuit.
I was at lunch with my grandfather. He was asking me questions about Verizon and at&t and asked "Is that that map in the Verizon commercials the only places at&t gets coverage?"
He was one of the first computer teachers at his school. He worked for an Apple reseller for some time. He's one of the smartest 60+ men I know and he even had to ask that question.
Correct or not it was and still is deceiving. at&t should have kept up that lawsuit.
I agree. Had my cousin try and make fun of my iPhone after watching the ads, defending herself by using the ad and saying I don't have any coverage.
I had no problem explaining the situation, but the most frustrating part is the fact Verizon's ad has clearly been misleading to the undereducated (or uninformed) public. To boot, the Verizon 3G is garbage anyway. - It would be interesting to see AT&T rename their EDGE service "3G"...
Whatever discussion you read was incorrect.
The commercial only includes EVDO Rev A coverage on the VZW 3G map.
Both maps are correct. Yes, Verizon's add does make it sound like AT&T has NO coverage in the blank areas, to people who are less technically inclined. Yes, AT&T filed a lawsuit against Verizon because of that. AT&T said that while they do not have 3G (which CANNOT be lumped with EDGE in any way, shape, or form) in those areas, they DO have EDGE and cell service in the blank areas. While Verizon may have MORE coverage than AT&T, AT&T has faster 3G. So saying which carrier has "better" coverage is arbitrary.
Well what verison doesnt tell you in their commercials is that At&t's overall coverage is still better than verison's....for example, they only show 3G, not edge also.