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Verizon seeking judgment on 'Most Reliable' ad claims
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Verizon Wireless filed a lawsuit against chief rival AT&T Mobility, asking a U.S. judge to determine whether its "America's Most Reliable 3G Network" ads are truthful, a claim AT&T has said is misleading. 
Verizon filed its lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan in response to AT&T's claims that Verizon's advertising was false could not be supported. On July 1, according to the claim, AT&T filed a challenge with the National Advertising Division of the Council for Better Business Bureaus, and sought to have Verizon's advertising declared false. However, Verizon countered that its claims of having "America's Most Reliable 3G Network," "America's Best 3G Network" and "America's Most Reliable Wireless Network" are "truthful, accurate and substantiated," and are not in violation of the trademark law known as the Lanham Act.
Verizon said that AT&T's claims were based on a false premise that speed is an essential element in measuring network reliability.
"AT&T's claim that speed is an essential component of 3G network reliability and that its formula is the proper standard for measuring 3G network reliability is without any support whatsoever," Verizon said in its filing. "Neither the normal and customary usage of the term ‘reliable,' nor any established industry standard, requires that speed be included in measuring the reliability of a 3G network."
AT&T offered a rebuttal, naturally.
"Verizon's claim that speed is not a relevant factor to a reliable 3G network is preposterous," AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said in a statement, according to Reuters. "Data network speed is an essential factor to consumers when it comes to data transmission on their wireless devices. The 3G reliability claims made in ads by Verizon Wireless are false and misleading."
The issue highlights the intense competition between the nation's two largest carriers. Verizon Wireless passed AT&T Mobility recently as the nation's largest wireless operator in terms of subscribers when it acquired Alltel. However, AT&T gained a small edge in the second quarter of this year, posting more net subscriber additions than Verizon.
Further, Verizon's lawsuit represents the latest squabble over advertising claims in the wireless industry. In the past, Sprint Nextel, Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless have argued over similar issues.
For more:
- see this Reuters article
- see this Bloomberg article
Related Articles:
Verizon reports strong wireless revenue growth
AT&T activates 2.4M iPhones in Q2
Cingular can say it has "more bars in more places"
Advertising group backs Sprint's claims against Verizon Wireless
Comments
Posted by HikerGuy | July 30, 2009 - 11:05pm
Of course speed matters for data. I'm tired of Verizon network's streaming video halting because their network is soooo slow. Verizon has this all wrong and they need to make their network faster.
Posted by ElBe | July 31, 2009 - 6:08am
I live in the DC area and Verizon is 'advertised' as the BEST/ONLY cell service to use here. Well, let me tell you - their service is horrible! I can stand in the back yard - phone fully charged, 6-8 bars - and I can't make or receive a call! I havaen't had this many dropped calls, disconnects, dead zones since I got my first cell phone 10 years ago! Their response to complaints? You must be in the wrong spot! What they're not telling you is ALL of DC and Northern Virginia is the 'wrong spot' for Verizon.
Posted by SLAYER | August 6, 2009 - 7:58pm
ElBe...I would look in to a new phone... I had a similar problem and it was my phone, not the service.
Posted by Anonymous | August 11, 2009 - 10:03pm
Take a look at any AT&T coverage map and you'll will clearly see Verizon Wireless has the three letter company beat hands down. AT&T needs to spend a little less on their False Advertising and a little more on their joke they call the fastest 3g network! Verizon Wireless has my vote hands down!
Posted by Anonymous | November 12, 2009 - 2:58pm
Why doesn't Verizon just countersue about At&T's claims about "The Fastest 3G Network". What good is fastest when it doesn't even work. Or about "More bars in more places". That is the most stupid claim ever!
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