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AT&T smacks Verizon’s slow 3G in new ‘Headless’ TV ad (with video)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 · 8:25 pm · 28 Comments

When it comes to downloading, speed matters. Watch the difference between AT&T and Verizon put to life as actor Luke Wilson downloads himself on AT&T’s 3G network the nations fastest in a new television ad airing on broadcast and cable networks across the U.S. The spot ends with the text and voiceover statements: “AT&T, the nation’s fastest 3G network” and “AT&T, a better 3G experience.”

Direct link via YouTube here.

AT&T’s ad also promotes the company’s website: TruthAbout3G.com

[Attribution: CNET. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Richard M." for the heads up.]

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Comment Feed

28 Comments

1 2 Next »

sget88

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 9:31 pm · Reply

at least this one is funny.
An Optimist

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 9:36 pm · Reply

When will AT&T;catch up with Verizon for nationwide coverage?

That seems to be the question that AT&T;doesn’t want to answer, so they run BS ads like this instead.
84 Mac Guy

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 9:39 pm · Reply

ATT’s best Verizon beat-down yet.

After hanging with Apple for a couple years now, ATT seems to be learning a few things about advertising. While their ads are not up to Apple standards by far, they are different and IMHO better than typical TV ads. For instance, the surroundings are sparse to keep you focused on the messenger. And there is only one messenger, Luke Wilson, talking to you. Also, the ads are each based on a humorous approach to discussing the problem.

Good job AT&T;, keep your marketing guys gunning for Verizon while your techical guys improve your network.
NCG598

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 9:41 pm · Reply

Well, ATT is build out a newer system than what Verizon has at the moment. So, the question is when will Verizon come out with what ATT currently is building out. It was 2003-8 for Verizon to build out the current one. So, I expect they will be behind ATT for a while on their GSM network when they first light it up.

Maybe they will share their GSM network when Verizon finally start it up and we can all be happier with their good will the little guy or girl.
Sixvodkas

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 9:47 pm · Reply

An Optimist, your post is broken.
Let me fix it for you, k?

“When will Verizon catch up with AT&T;with a network that allows for even the simplest of all things, like voice and data at the same time?”

That seems to be the question that Verizon doesn’t want to answer, so they run BS ads like maps instead.

There, all better!
Jim - TIV

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 9:49 pm · Reply

“Maybe they will share their GSM network when Verizon finally start it up and we can all be happier with their good will the little guy or girl.”

uhhhh…. huh?
MusicDoc

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 10:17 pm · Reply

Actually, I saw an AT&T;ad tonight with a map full of red pins that begin falling out as the “bullet points” are made……that’s the best one yet!
clinicaltechmaster

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 10:33 pm · Reply

I liked it!
PowerPlayGraphix

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 10:38 pm · Reply

What good is a 3G network that’s faster when it only covers a fraction of the country. There are HUGE swaths of the country that AT&T;has no 3G (including my area) and Verizon blankets the area. As for Verizon’s next generation, it’s rolling out it’s LTE network that is GSM based and is 4G since they already have most of the country covered with 3G, their next upgrade is to the next FASTER technology where AT&T;still has to get it’s coverage out of the major areas and to the rest of the country with THIS generations tech.

Sure, the iPhone can make calls and surf IN 3G ONLY, but in it’s 2.5 edge area, no luck. So, who’s playing catch up now?
An Optimist

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 11:01 pm · Reply

Sixvodkas – The answer is that AT&T has no plans to catch up to Verizon in 3G coverage. They would rather invest their capital in other areas, like underwater cables to China.

What good is faster 3G or voice/data switching when you can’t get a decent signal?

AT&T is too big and stupid to survive in its current condition. It needs to be busted into state-sized units, then they’ll have a chance at improving their service.
Ronin

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 11:13 pm · Reply

@Sixvodkas just one problem – you actually have to have reception in the first place in order to do two things at once. Unfortunately, the power of the iPhone is wasted on a spotty network.
m159

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 12:24 am · Reply

My family and many of my friends switched from Verizon to ATT for the iPhone. While nobody wants to give up their iPhones, we all have hoped for the day we could use them on Verizon’s network. No more. Verizon’s insistence on restricting their phones’ functionality, and their insulting and dishonest advertising attacks have turned us off. Never go back, even if they get the iPhone. Besides, at least here, AT&T;’s service has improved.
Maddog

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 12:43 am · Reply

AT&T;here’s an idea:

Instead of fighting with Verizon on who’s more awesome, start improving your coverage area.

I’ll let you have that one for free.
bizlaw

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 1:15 am · Reply

An Optimist said: “AT&T;is too big and stupid to survive in its current condition.”

And Verizon’s not? Please.

Both companies have their problems, whether network issues, honesty issues, customer service issues, or whatever. Neither is even close to perfect.

I switched to ATT from Verizon to get the original iPhone. I noticed areas where ATT dropped a call when Verizon didn’t, and vice versa. Same thing happened when I had Sprint years ago as well, and I lived 15 miles from their world headquarters and still had too many dropped calls.

We’ll always hear, “Wait until ABC builds out the next-gen XYZ network, then ABC will be the best!” Whatever. There will always be the next technological advance as savior of the mobile communications world, the one that is Superman compared to the current tech being used. At least until they put it into use, and then it’s faster with a few more bells and whistles, but still drops calls.

I just wish all the mobile phone companies would drop all their advertising, then they could stop wasting my time.
KingMel

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 1:19 am · Reply

I’m not an AT&T lover. In fact, I have avoided signing up with AT&T much like I permanently ditched the cable company back in the mid-1990s. But I don’t appreciate Verizon’s duplicitous advertising, either.

Much of Verizon’s “3G” coverage is of the lowest end variety that barely qualifies as 3G under the letter of the rules. So the blast o’ orange map really isn’t as impressive as Verizon would like everyone to believe, and Verizon intentionally does not differentiate between their fast and slow 3G areas. I wonder what AT&T’s total coverage would look like with EDGE thrown in along with their 3G network?

As has been said by others, every provider should continue to seek improvement. None are perfect, although AT&T has made some significant strides since they teamed up with Apple and had to start addressing “real” mobile internet usage. Verizon has yet to learn that lesson.
MidWest Mac

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 1:51 am · Reply

I have zero ATnT coverage where I live. Not a tiny bit. Not a spotty. NONE.

I could give a rat’s ass which 3G is faster.

NONE I say!
toby

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 2:25 am · Reply

Sixvodkas,

Ummm having an iPhone for almost two years, I can say this….

It’s AWESOME, as long as I don’t need to make a call, that is.
Moo

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 2:35 am · Reply

Dunno about some of those responses- I was with Verizon for 4 years and;

1) Had terrible support from them
2) Was nickel (and dimed) to death over every little thing that I get standard with AT&T;3) Had spotty (ROAMING CHARGES) coverage in areas I worked at
4) Had SLOOOOOW data transfers
5) Wasn’t able to use my cool phone in London and…
6) Couldn’t talk while browsing

Other than those quibbles, Verizon had it all over AT&T;
MacTony

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 10:10 am · Reply

Some people like to bash AT&T;. Some people like to bash Verizon. But, there is one fact. In almost every satisfaction poll, Verizon is at the top and AT&T;is near the bottom. I’m not a big Verizon supporter. But, their coverage is superior to AT&T;.
EvangelizeWithRespect

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 10:32 am · Reply

While I think the ad is clever and funny, and appreciate a website that explains the differences between AT&T;and Verizon, the “Speed” section of the website is lame. Where are the numbers? Where’s the proof? Not that I don’t believe it, but give me some information if I bother to follow a link on an ad, especially when the ad is boasting about speed.