Verizon\AT&T
Verizon’s marketing storm around its “3G” coverage is overwhelming, the campaign is huge and strongly attacks AT&T. Why am I writing “3G” in quotes you might ask, well because there is a lot more to the term than you would think, and it’s being widely misused. Verizon is exploiting this to claim its network superiority over AT&T.
Verizon started off the hostility with its “there is a map for that” ad and continues pushing it now with its Christmas campaign. The claimed coverage difference is blatant and AT&T contests it, they are actually suing Verizon at the moment and trying to take the ads down. So what’s the truth? Does Verizon really have an extensively superior coverage or are they making false claims ?
‘Verizon 3G’ != ‘AT&T 3G’
First of all an important point in the debate is the difference between the two carriers, they actually use a whole different technology to carry your voice and data from point to point. Verizon uses a CDMA2000/Evdo network while AT&T is on GSM/UMTS.
Here is actually the entire issue, Verizon compares “3G” data network for two completely different technologies. In the CDMA world, “3G” is not the same as in the UMTS world. That’s how they did it.
Verizon actually labels its entire data network (that tops at 1.4Mbit) as “3G” where AT&T only does so for the higher end of its network. Indeed on GSM networks, 3G is the fastest UMTS part of the band that allows up to 3.6Mbit (soon 7.2), when you’re on EDGE it’s only called 2.5G so of course it doesn’t show in the map.
So what about the maps?
So “technically” the maps are legit, but they are misleading. In Verizon’s CDMA standard you do indeed have this “3G” coverage and in AT&T’s GSM standard you really have only so much “3G”.
But in real terms it means that if you were to stand at a point shown as “3G covered” by Verizon and “not 3G covered” by AT&T, you could still be actually getting a higher speed on AT&T, and if not the speed you’ll be getting from Verizon might very well way inferior of what you would expect with “3G”.
So if you were to look at AT&T data coverage in the way Verizon does and not according to the technical terms, you should be getting pretty much this :
And actually if you focus on AT&T’s actual 3G only coverage it matches pretty well the actual American population map :
It’s pretty much a scam (or good marketing)
So this is pretty much the ugly truth. I really wish good luck to Verizon in court… You must admit it’s dishonest.
I’d also like to add that I’m absolutely neutral to this issue, I’m myself running my iPhone on the world’s best carrier better known as Swisscom, I pay $45 month for a bunch of data (up to 7.2Mbit) and unlimited voice/text. Ow, and I never had a dropped call. On top of that comparative and negative ads are illegal here so it’s not that fun but at least we know the truth.
Don’t you feel scammed?
[via AppleInsider]
I am tired of these commercials, I will take my AT&T 3.6Mbit connection speed over Verizon’s 1.4Mbit any day.
Your a idiot if you believe anything this article says Verizon smokes AT&T maybe not as fast but it has to work for it to be fast considering AT&T is unreliable
I live in an area where we only have the EDGE network. It’s actually slower than my dial-up at home. I can’t even load Echofon without trying 4 or 5 times. AT&T needs to address issues like this because we’re paying upwards of $100 a month for iPhone service and we are tortured by a severely disabled network.
I agree Josh, but if it’s any comfort AT&T is expanding their 3G as fast as they can and laying the groundwork for the newer LTE 4G as the same time so hang in there.
I live within the EDGE network area as far as AT&T is concerned. I’m about 5 miles from where it’s 3G coverage area begins. I was able to compare side-by-side Verizon’s Droid phone vs. my AT&T iPhone in this coverage area. The Droid outperformed the iPhone in getting to the internet. It consistently had faster page load and response times. If AT&T would stop complaining and actually bring the 3G network out to my area, I’d be keeping the iPhone (because I like its more refined features). ‘Nuff said.
hmph, blast all the wireless phones.. paying 100$ for crappy service and tracking devices does not seem smart. while i know there are chips in almost everything we own nowadays, so they know when you leave your house and where u are while ur driving.. hate to be the bearer of bad news, but i love to tell the truth. whats going to happen then when they want to chip your children and yourself and are willing to torture you until u submit to whatever they want. (call me crazy if u want,we do it to all other countries and when we are done with them, its our civilians turn to be the “terrorist”)
It really is pathetic.
THE ONLY thing verizon’s droid has over the iPhone at this point is their 5mbpixel camera and flash.
Everything else is replicatable on the iphone.
That being said, we should keep in mind that the droid was developed SPECIFICALLY to be the next iPhone killer.
The next gen iPhone will easily beat it
…and a physical keyboard, much better screen (higher res), and ability to multi-thread 3rd party apps.
pwned! XD
Whoa whoa whoa.. How are the ads misleading? Verizon won’t be losing anything in any court battle. AT&T is not disputing the accuracy of the maps at all – their only complaint is that they think customers will believe that the non-blue areas mean NO coverage, not 2G coverage. Verizon has now clarified that in their ads.
There is no dispute over what is and isn’t 3G. EVDO is clearly 3G, and EDGE is not. Not only are the maps “technically” legit, they ARE legit. Om the flip side, AT&T advertises that they have the fastest network. Based on theoretical speeds, this is true.
To be critical, not only is AT&T’s 3G data network small it’s quite saturated. The overwhelming consensus in the blogosphere is that AT&T’s data network is nothing short of horrible. If you look at anecdotal data from user reports (like DSLReports) as well as some independent speed tests, EVDO and HSDPA come out very close in terms of average download speeds. Whatever “theoretical” advantage HSDPA has is minimized by AT&T’s lousy implementation. Speaking of theoretical speeds, I believe EVDO can burst to 3.1 mbps, which is very comparable to HSDPA. (depending on the flavor, obviously HSPA+ is a lot faster)
“overwhelming consensus in the blogosphere”
“If you look at anecdotal data”
Right, because when it comes to scientifically verifiable situations, it’s best to consider stories from pissed off bloggers.
Maybe AT&T does suck in New York or San Francisco, but here in Albuquerque, I have zero problems with speed, dropped calls or outages. To me, my iPhone on AT&T is fantastic. How’s that for anecdotal data? True as it is, it *doesn’t matter*. We’re talking about ones and zeros here. Get some real data. AT&T is not as bad as the “overwhelming consensus” of pissed off bloggers would have us believe, and Verizon is not the godsend the anti-Apple/AT&T Verizon fanboys would have us believe.
I know it’s fashionable to bash Apple and AT&T this year, but at least do it using real data – if you can.
I fully agree that the biggest noise comes from those on the coasts, which happens to be where most bloggers are. And I’m definitely not going to spend time trying to chase down anecdotal data, because as you say – it’s not exactly hard science. On the other hand, where there’s smoke there’s often fire. And to be perfectly honest, you’re the first person I’ve EVER heard speak positively about AT&T. Ever.
The main point though is that AT&T’s 3G coverage is pathetic for a tier 1 carrier. And while I’m not surprised that an iPhone site is trying to defend it’s carrier, I still find nothing deceitful, underhanded, or even misleading about Verizon’s ad. It’s clear by the maps who has the biggest 3G network, and I’d guess that most any offense taken to the ad is simply sour grapes. I would also wager a fair chunk of change that if Verizon were to suddenly sell the iPhone (which they won’t), AT&T would lose half it’s current iPhone customers overnight. The interesting thing then, of course, would be how well Verizon’s infrastructure would support a huge influx of data-heavy users. Jury’s out on that.
In full disclosure, I’m neither an AT&T nor a Verizon customer. Nor am I an Apple basher. (well, to be fair I’m not a fan of the iPhone, but I am a big Mac user)
Well, if you’ve NEVER heard anyone speak positive about AT&T, let me be the second. I have ZERO issues in Tampa, FL. I was quite scared to move to AT&T 8 months ago because of all the chatter about their network, but I wanted an iPhone. I was on Verizon. I can truly say I’ve had less problems with AT&T than I did on Verizon (and I’m not saying Verizon is a bad carrier… I was quite happy with their network) but I am happy on AT&T’s as well.
AlexB said, “It’s clear by the maps who has the biggest 3G network.” You obviously didn’t read the article above. The article says, if you look at At&t’s data coverage the way Verizon does, the maps look the same.
Ok, so this is at least better than hearsay in that it’s written by a reputable industry rag: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/149779/iphone_3g_complaints_mount_about_data_service_speeds.html
While I’m delighted to hear that AT&T service is good in Albuquerque, I think if you asked most users who live in larger population centers you’ll get a different reaction than yours. Providing good coverage in rural areas and small cities is not really an accomplishment. Having a good network means you need to scale, and it kinda sounds like AT&T isn’t.
Im in new york and the service for atnt is great i switched over from verizon there web is too slow. They dont even have 3g its funny how they consider 1.4 mbits 3g. Dam Jews
Agree, there will be no “court” battle … over what? If anything AT&T will lose because their map isn’t even accurate. I’m clearly in the Blue and can only receive Edge. And the posts about Edge being slower than dial up, again, right on point. Never had a dropped call on Swisscom?, try walking a block outside of Zurich!!!
The poster is not correct. What verizon calls 3G is much much faster than edge, and they do have far greater coverage. Having subscribed to both, currently with AT&T, I can say that in actual usage, in my area (3G for both) they are indistinguishable. The verizon advantage is just much much better coverage.
I would just like to point one thing out in this article. You say VZW tops out at 1.4 MBPS??? This is not fact, I get speeds on my windows mobile phone and also the Droid that reach 2 MBPS. On my aircard I usually am around 2.5 MBPS. I think the old EVDO standard of Rev 0 is only 1.4 but VZW is now completely Rev A which has a top speed of 3.1.
Now if you have a Rev 0 only phone yes 1.4 is doing well. Although if you have Rev A you can achieve the higher speeds I have talked about. I am not trying to point out someone is better than the other. Just wanted to make this clear.
Since you have no experience with the two networks, I don’t believe writing an editorial comparing them is a great idea.
“Here is actually the entire issue, Verizon compares “3G” data network for two completely different technologies. In the CDMA world, “3G” is not the same as in the UMTS world. That’s how they did it.
Verizon actually labels its entire data network (that tops at 1.4Mbit) as “3G” where AT&T only does so for the higher end of its network. Indeed on GSM networks, 3G is the fastest UMTS part of the band that allows up to 3.6Mbit (soon 7.2), when you’re on EDGE it’s only called 2.5G so of course it doesn’t show in the map.”
1. 3G is the same in CDMA and GSM worlds. 3G is defined by the ITA as any wireless cell based protocol that delivers broadband speed. The defined threshold for that is about 250kbps. This even qualifies EDGE technically as a 3G standard.
2. Verizon does not label its entire data network as 3G. There are places that only receive 1X coverage, the equivalent to GPRS. There is no denying Verizon has a much larger EV-DO coverage than AT&T has 3G UTMS, it may even rival their EDGE network (I’m not making that claim, I havn’t done the reasearch)
3. It doesn’t even matter what the theoretical top speeds are on the network, because AT&Ts 3G speeds vary so wildly its bassicly as slow as edge. In NYC, i actually revert to edge in some places because its faster
UTMS undoubitly has some advantages over EV-DO, such as simultanious voice and data and higher speeds. But on an iPhone, I’d be hard pressed to tell you the difference between 1mbps and 3mbps. Let alone 7mbps. AT&T should really give up on trying to play catchup with verizon on 3G, there arrent going to catch them. Verizon has been deploying ED-DO since 2003, while AT&T only really started in 2005-2006. They should just focus on beating the compition to the market with LTE.
-John Iburg
had EV-DO coverage in his hometown since 2006, but is still waiting for at&t to roll out with 3g which they promised this year
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If you’re happy with your phone service clap your hand! If you’re happy with your phone service clap your hand….! Why isn’t anyone clapping for their phone service? Ohhh….Maybe because we all have issues with service with any given carrier in different parts of the country? And maybe, just maybe, the phone companies just need to own up to their customers and provide the service they advertise! Now I’ve been with different carriers and each have their pros and cons depending where I’m at! So is there one carrier that is better than the other? That all depends on coverage of your location. I’ve got to admit, AT&T coverage has been pretty good for me in the L.A.-O.C. area!
I live in Wisconsin, and have had my 2G iphone for over 2 years. A friend of mine has verizon with their 3G we compared speed in Rinelander. AT&T EDGE smoked his 3G verizon. Perhaps its the iphone being a better phone, but when it comes to service my AT&T has coverage where his does not. I recently drove to California, and had very few dead spots. I had Verizon prior to this plan, and before switching to AT&T I kept my Verizon phone. I compared service in rural areas. Hands down the AT&T had signal where Verizon did not. Maybe the ability to use the phone to make calls is more important to me than some because I spend alot of time in the woods on my ATV, and snowmobile. Just my 2 cents.
I’m so tired of this blog being sooo blatantly biased in favor of the iPhone AND AT&T.
I have an iPhone (actually 3), but that doesn’t mean that I have to have some shill blogger constantly pulling the wool over my eyes about the iPhone and it’s current US network. AT&T blows. Maybe they’ll get better, but from my experience, most iPhone users I’ve met love their iPhones and HATE AT&T. Almost all my friends and collegues with Verizon LOVE Verizon’s coverage on the other hand.
This isn’t scientific but it’s a hell of alot more valid than the apologetic drivel of the OP. We get it…your an iPhone blog…but that doesn’t mean every article has to extoll the virtues of the Applesphere and boo the up and coming competition.
I for one welcome competition. It will ultimately help improve Apple products and AT&T’s network.
Everybody hates #1.
Define #1?
AT&T has more subscribers than any carrier in the country.
AT&T appears on the BOTTOM of the list in “customer satisfaction”.
I currently have an iPhone (for a year) now, live in Los Angeles, and have a Verizon blackberry from work. I can say hands down, both here in LA, and traveling a lot elsewhere, the Verizon network availability and data speeds almost always match or exceed AT&T’s. Usually exceed, and not by a little.
AT&T really has little excuse for not being even more aggressive about upgrading their network. They are making boatloads of money, why skimp and be cheap. Their capex on their network, especially because they are behind the eight barrel for the past couple years, and aren’t seeming to keep up with sub adds, should be through the roof. But, they are not treating it with the importance they should be. It should be a massive undertaking to upgrade their network fast.
I sure hope the iPhone is opened up to other carriers. It only makes sense to spread out the devices across networks and also create more carrier competition. I love my iPhone, but very much dislike the service I get from AT&T. Hopefully something improves substantially, and soon! AT&T needs to get their act together and take this lingering and inexcusable issue (considering their enormous wireless profits) dead seriously. Why would you risk the golden goose that feeds you like they are. If they can’t take care of their customers, someone else eventually will, and it looks like Verizon is positioning itself well for this.
I am a AT&T customer, I love AT&T, but I hate things that are false in a story, EVDO REV.A (Verizon CDMA 3G) Tops at 3.1 Mbps not 1.4 Just to let people know, but AT&T’s 3G is still technically faster.
Alexander don’t compare ATT’s EDGE network to Verizon’s 3G. You have your technology info twisted. You should check it before posting a bogus article full of poor facts.
ugh… verizon NEVER said in ANY of the adds in question that their 3G network is FASTER. They said that they had a greater area of 3G coverage. This article is completely pointless and states things that everyone knows are true (including verizon).
Also, the way that it is written (like an attack on verizon) is very off-putting. One more reason I will not be visiting this site again..
Then dont you dam fruit.
As someone who lives in a very large state that has no GSM 3G coverage whatsoever, I get a kick out of these ads. The implication that EDGE is faster than CDMA 3G is laughable, and just plain incorrect. Verizon’s no saint, but their ads ads are fair from my point of view. My EDGE data plan was unusable for things like streaming audio, and had a pesky tendency to drop out. Even GSM voice coverage in my state is poor.
While I do concede that GSM is superior on a technical level, that does me no good when I can’t get a signal.
Maybe if they had at least one tower in every state, AT&T would have a leg to stand on.
What a terrible article, full of inaccuracies and bias. I just stumbled upon this article through google and it amazes me that the author of this article is a regular contributor(staff perhaps?)
I ditech Verizon a year ago and havent looked back. My att service is just as reliable as Verizon was. And You cant touch the iphone. Love it!
Verizon is just mad they are losing customers due to there lack of great phones, and how hey cripple the equipment.
Not sure which decade you are living in. Verizon has crippled *NOTHING* in any of the android phones they use.
Soon all these complaints will be obsolete because all the phones will be equipped to call without limits on Skype or similar voip’s without charge. The only charge will be paying for a service that is able to connect via whatever to make it happen. The phone will be no longer called a phone but a device that enables you to start your car, make credit card purchases without going through a check out, used as a storage device (mp3 player, data files), call people via a wireless voip for free, and of course surf the net plus whatever innovation some device maker can think of to stay ahead of the market curve. Internet service and phone service will be a gratuity and taken for granted soon. It will be a “device driven” world.
Short for “what will it do for me and the cheapest price” market.
Hey wait… any iphone can already do VOIP, Skype, uplock cars, start cars, even DRIVE cars. Shop. Control my TV. It can scan bar-codes and even take credit card orders.
That’s all great and everything, but you can never get the max speed that AT&T offers because
A. Their signal is garbage, I can’t get ANY 3g indoors. The second you step inside a building it drops to edge and then to searching…
B. Their network is so clogged even with full bars you aren’t gonna get 3.6
What’s the point of having internet that goes up to 10000000mbit or whatever if you can only use it 1% of the time? I’d rather take 1/100th the speed that I can actually use when I want it
I went to both the AT&T website AND Verizon website and copied multiple coverage maps DIRECTLY from them to do the personal comparison. Verizon just blows away AT&T with these maps PERIOD. I have had BOTH Verizon and AT&T cellphone service… AT&T constantly lied to me about have signal when I had none…their lies about coverage (even standard non-3g coverage) left me stranded on the side of the interstate with small children for 6 hours in the July heat. My AT&T phone had NO SERVICE but when I confronted them about it, they told me I did so I went back to the location with a Verizon phone and my phone and called them on the V’s phone and they continued to tell me Scripted lies even though I was staring right at my AT&T phone. My Verizon phone has had coverage EVERY PLACE my AT&T phone didn’t…including my own house (another location AT&T lied to me about while I looked at the phone, and after quite a few calls to them they started hanging up on me!). Verizon has been honest and told me point blank if they don’t have signal somewhere and never lied to me about my signal/coverage. Plus regarding my so called 3g coverage that AT&T promotes, my Verizon internet on my phone loads JUST AS FAST as AT&T’s so called 3g. As for the surf internet while on the phone was an outright lie to me because I tried it numerous times with my Blackjack i617 and could NEVER surf the internet while in a call. I can’t with Verizon either but atleast they don’t lie to me and say it does! I took my AT&T phone to MANY of those map locations listed under “Partner” or “Moderate” coverage and there is NO SERVICE in those places unless you plan to stand in the middle of a traffic lane and stand perfectly still while calling someone…yes I did that a few times! I pasted all the AT&T maps AND Verizon maps together so anyone can now see them ALL together and shows all types of coverages from both companies. AT&T can shove their coverage maps where the sun doesn’t shine, I refuse to leave Verizon now. Here are the maps… http://www.flickr.com/photos/37959930@N02/4190003633/
As for the Prepaid plans between the AT&T service and Verizon service…the best coverage, usage amounts, and cost would have to be Verizon’s Straight Talk. It has the most coverage, has a cheap unlimited plan, and can port your old phone number to your new phone/plan. Here’s a copy of the comparison with maps, prices, and plans… http://www.flickr.com/photos/37959930@N02/4190888404/
Ok, one thing i have noticed about Verizon is; some of there coverage is not on their network (roaming) and they happen to market it as their own network even if it is not
Seems like this post trying is to defend AT&T’s position. I think that AT&T is riding the coat-tail of the IPhone launch. Apple initially offered the contract to Verizon and for good reason. I have the Droid Moto and side by side with my Brothers iPhone on the edge network mines is much faster. We ran tests in Vegas. We both DL’ed the speedtest apparently and ran it. My brothers had a hard time getting the apparently while I DL’ed it and ran it and told them my speed. 4G is the next Biggest and I’m interest in knowing what AT&T and VZ will do with this technologhy. SPRINT is on the game using the 4G network. They just need a good selection of MID’s to compete and to secure 4G coverage as WiMax deploys.
Why would anyone care how many *PEOPLE* the coverage includes?
(Does everyone in the country only work/live/travel inside major cities?)
What if I drive from 1 major city… to another… passing through 100 SMALL cities with no 3G coverage?
I only care about *AREA* coverage.
> I only care about *AREA* coverage.
That’s why AT&T will *NEVER* brag about (or even mention) *AREA* coverage.
They will brag about everything else: speed, cost, number of people, quality, features… but you will *NEVER* hear them say things like: “Uh, we only have 3G coverage in 18% of the country”.
AT&T has recently REMOVED all their 3G maps from their website.
I wonder why.
Where can I find 2 maps that compare Verizon and AT&T coverage, each showing 3.6Mbit speeds?
Today apple will make a big announcement. I wonder if they have decided to offer the iPhone to Verizon. What will this mean for AT&T???