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AT&T Responds to Verizon Ads

Brian Proffit — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:51:18 -0600

In a rare move, AT&T has posted an official response to Verizon’s ads on their website. The ads show U.S. maps covered in red for Verizon’s coverage, and another with scattered spots of blue for AT&T’s coverage.

The ad showing an iPhone sent to the "Island of Misfit Toys" appears to be what drove AT&T to respond publicly. According to their announcement, "As the U.S. market leader in wireless data service, we typically don't respond to competitors' advertising. However, some recent ads from Verizon are so blatantly false and misleading, that we want to set the record straight about AT&T's wireless data coverage."

The Verizon ads are specifically targeting 3G availability, which wasn’t as obvious in the original "There’s a map for that" ads. They’ve made that more clear in the latest, but AT&T believes they are still giving the faulty impression that wireless coverage isn’t available in the blank areas on the map. "AT&T's wireless data coverage reaches 303 million people—or 97% of the U.S. population, where they live and work," the post says. It admits that full 3G service is only available to 75% of the population, though, with the rest covered by EDGE or (ack) GPRS. But they make up for that by saying, "Unlike Verizon, AT&T has the nation's fastest 3G network." Clearly your mileage may vary.

Still, their claims that "Unlike Verizon, AT&T customers have access to more than 100,000 applications, more than with any other wireless company" and "Unlike Verizon, AT&T's 3G network lets wireless customers simultaneously talk and surf the web or do e-mail" should score some points. The problem, of course, is that they people they need to score points with aren’t on AT&T’s site—they’re busy watching Verizon ads on TV.

AT&T CEO: iPhone Tethering Coming Soon

Cory Bohon — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:28:26 -0600

AT&T is claiming once again that the much anticipated tethering for the iPhone is "coming soon."

This isn't the first time that the CEO of AT&T Wireless, Ralph de la Vega, has teased the notion of a tethering plan for the iPhone. In a somewhat reiterated event at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Fransisco last Thursday, de la Vega said that the tethering option is still forthcoming.

An AT&T spokesperson yesterday also told ComputerWorld the same thing, saying, "We plan to offer tethering on the iPhone but have not announced a date."

AppModo reports that AT&T hasn't imposed any rate plans for the promised tethering service, but they believe it could be in the neighborhood of $60 a month, as that is the current rate for BlackBerry tethering options offered on the same network.

Of course if you're currently using a jailbroken iPhone, you can already get tethering on your device.

iPhone on Verizon After All?

J Keirn-Swanson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:23 -0600

The possibility that Apple might at long last break its exclusivity with AT&T has been a dream ever since the iPhone launched. The carrier has developed its own particular brand of fail with service limitations (MMS, tethering), app heavy-handedness (reputedly being behind Google Voice getting yanked) and dropped call records broken daily.

Yet publicly both Apple and AT&T have denied any rumors of a split and Cupertino even gave the carrier a one year extension. Rumors continued to proliferate that Apple was ready to jump ship for Verizon or at least to open up the handset to other carriers. If new leaks are to be believed, there might be some truth in this.

According to AppleInsider, a report given to them by OTR Global suggests that the development Qualcomm's new hybrid chip has spurred Apple to production of a universal model iPhone. Think of this as similar to the Intel chip allowing Windows to run on the newest Macs. The new chip will allow the handset to operate on Verizon's CDMA2000 networks as well as AT&T's UMTS 3G. This would also allow the iPhone to operate on virtually every cell network worldwide, spurring growth in additional sales.

The rumor's silver lining isn't without a black cloud as the new phones reputedly cramp screen real estate down from 3.5" to 2.8". Whether this is a result of potentially lower Verizon subsidies or just a Nano iteration of the iPhone isn't clear.

While Verizon's recent attacks on Apple with Droid ads seem to put the kibosh on any agreement, all's fair in business. In a recent call with investors, Verizon's CEO and chair, Ivan G. Seidenberg told listeners "We obviously would be interested...for them to have us as a partner...hopefully...Apple...will decide to jump on the bandwagon."

Rumors peg the worldwide model of the iPhone as hitting market sometime near the end of 2010, suspiciously around the time the AT&T extension lapses. All we can say to Verizon customers long plagued by iPhone lust, is stay tuned.

Verizon Comes Out Swinging, Strands iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys

David W. Martin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:24:51 -0600

AT&T is suing Verizon over its "There's a map for That" ad campaign, but that hasn't stopped Verizon from using the same Verizon vs. AT&T image map of 3G coverage in the U.S. in new holiday advertising. The latest advertisement, Verizon Misfit Toys, puts the iPhone at the center of a conversation between some toys on the Island of Misfit Toys.

After finding the first ad we checked the Verizon Wireless YouTube account and discovered two more.

Verizon Elves features an assembly line of elves gift wrapping netbooks and other devices which include 3G wireless. The Elves imply that the good kids receive a gift from Verizon Wireless and the bad kids get one from AT&T. You should note that the Elf is stuffing what looks like a white colored iPhone into the gift box for the bad kid.

In Verizon Blue Christmas a man is seen traveling home for Christmas and he experiences problems connecting to the AT&T network using what appears to be a white colored iPhone.

We've got to hand it to Verizon -- the ads are definitely amusing, but since some of us are having a better experience with AT&T after they rolled out 3G network enhancements cute ads are not likely to make us want to make the switch to Verizon. In any event, if you get a gift purchased from either Apple, AT&T, or Verizon this year, whatever you get will be better than switches and a lump of coal.

Cradlepoint PHS300 Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot

David W. Martin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:53:48 -0600

If you're like most people, you probably spend a great deal of time away from your home Wi-Fi network. Free open Wi-Fi networks can be few and far between these days so if you have an iPod touch, a MacBook, or even an iPhone this can be inconvenient to say the least. There are solutions available to help (like the MiFi 2200) but if you already have a USB 3G modem or a phone that supports tethering, there's no reason to pay twice for data access.

The Cradlepoint PHS300 personal Wi-Fi hotspot can take your existing 3G device and create a personal WiFi hotspot to connect other devices to the Internet.   The CradlePoint is a compact, rechargable-battery powered Wi-Fi router.   The device works with practically any USB modem or tethered cell phone. We tested our PHS300 with a Sprint Sierra Wireless Compass 597 USB 3G dongle. We plugged it in and the CradlePoint automatically recognized our device and created a WiFi hotspot. No additional software is required to use or access the CradlePoint, which is administered via a web interface like a standard router.

Security can be as simple as a password or more advanced using WEP/WPA/WPA2 security. The replaceable Li-ion battery can pump out a Wi-Fi signal for a little more than three hours. It can also run off AC power, with or without a battery connected. A case ($15), extra batteries ($25), and car power adapter($25) are available as optional accessories.

The form-factor was a bit cumbersome, with the USB modem hanging out of the side, but certainly not a deal-breaker. And we definitely like the ability to change cellular providers or 3G devices without having to buy a new Wi-Fi device. Cradlepoint frequently updates the firmware, so it works with a growing number of 3G modems and cell phones. We're still waiting for AT&T's mythical tethering plan to materialize, so no word yet on iPhone compatibility.

AT&T Sues Verizon Over "Maps" Commercial

Cory Bohon — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:24:55 -0600

AT&T sues Verizon over a commercial designed to play on Apple's "There's an app for that" commercials.

Verizon's "There's a map for that" commercial (above) might have stepped on some feet when they bashed AT&T's 3G service saying that other companies don't have the service Verizon has and that "There's a map for that, too."

According to the suit, which was filed in an Atlanta, Georgia federal court on Tuesday, "The map attributed to AT&T shows large swaths of white or blank space, as if these are areas in which AT&T has no coverage whatsoever."

The suit goes on to say, "By depicting AT&T's non-"3G" coverage as white or blank space in the map used in Verizon's print advertisement, consumers are being misled into believing that AT&T's customers have no coverage whatsoever and thus cannot use their wireless devices when they are outside of AT&T's depicted coverage area."

Reuters got a reply from Verizon saying, "The ads in question clearly state that voice and data services are available outside 3G areas."

AT&T has requested a temporary restraining order that could prevent the television commercial from airing until this dispute is resolved.

Via AppleInsider

Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

Ray Aguilera — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:32:35 -0500

The MiFi puts the Net in your pocket.

Depending on where you live and work, it can seem like the Internet is everywhere. But sadly, a good Wi-Fi signal can be lacking when you need it most--and the days of open home–Wi-Fi networks are mostly gone, as even your mom has figured out how to lock down her network. But with Verizon’s MiFi in your pocket, you can access the Internet from just about anywhere.

At 3.5- by 2.3-inches, the MiFi is about the size of a credit card. It’s less than a half-inch thick and weighs 2 ounces, so it’s easy to carry everywhere. It’s essentially a Wi-Fi access point that connects to Verizon’s 3G network, and it has a few other tricks up its sleeve. Since it’s wireless and rechargeable, it doesn’t require a physical connection to your machine and works fine from inside your bag or a pocket. When used with a single computer, the MiFi’s battery lasts about 4 hours. You can easily share your Wi-Fi with up to five other devices, though battery life will take a hit with the increased data traffic.

The MiFi puts the Internet in your pocket--as long as there's a strong 3G wireless data signal.

Using the MiFi is as simple as turning it on. The default network ID and password are on the bottom of the device, and you can edit settings via browser-based configuration pages. For road warriors, the MiFi can be tethered to your notebook computer, giving you an endless supply of Internet for as long as your laptop has power. The only drawback to this setup is that you can’t directly share your connection with additional devices while it’s tethered--although Mac users savvy enough to set up Internet Sharing can easily get around that limitation by creating their own network. Shhh--don’t tell Verizon you heard it from us.

As you can imagine, instant Internet anywhere is infinitely useful. That said, your experience will vary widely depending on how congested the 3G network around you is. Downtown San Francisco is notorious for being a miserable 3G black hole, due to the concentration of 3G devices. One recent afternoon, our download speeds varied anywhere from 134 to 786kbps. After a short hop across the bay, we were consistently getting download speeds around 1100kbps as we sat on the shore of Oakland’s Lake Merritt and finished this review in the sunshine. The volatility of Verizon’s 3G network certainly isn’t the MiFi’s fault, but it’s worth considering how and where you might use it prior to buying in.

Does AT&T Owe Its Success to iPhone?

Danny Estrada — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:03:27 -0500

According to Pali Research, AT&T will net a little under 1 million new subscribers in 2010. Only a quarter of the subscribers they obtained in 2008. If it's true that the iPhone could cross the street and set up shop with Verizon or T-Mobile once AT&T's contract with Apple expires, it is easy to see a lot of AT&T subscribers following suit.

Pali's statement comes on the heels of AT&T pushing to keep the iPhones exclusivity all the way through 2011. The Wall Street Journal claims that they were tipped off by an anonymous source that AT&T CEO Randal Stephnson is negotiating with Apple to extend their contact beyond next year's expiration date.

If Pali Research's predictions hold true, AT&T's future could depend on the alleged negotiations to retain the iPhone.

As the iPhone exclusivity period rolls off between AT&T Wireless and Apple, a material number of AT&T customers will flock to Verizon’s superior network...We estimate that nearly a third of AT&T’s post-paid customers are being retained by AT&T primarily because of the iPhone exclusivity.

A lot of the research is based on the recent studies by both Wired and PCworld showing that AT&T has a 3G connection that is sub-par in comparison to that of Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

We know of a few people, including a writer, that refuse to get an iPhone purely for their passionate dislike for everything AT&T... but would probably get one if the iPhone switched carries... like T-Mobile perhaps? There is talk of it in the UK.

Via AppleInsider