AT&T files suit against Verizon over “map for that” ads

AT&T has filed a lawsuit against Verizon Wireless over its recent TV advertisement campaign comparing the two leading carriers’ 3G network coverage map. As we reported early last month, the ads ape Apple’s “there’s an app for that” iPhone slogan by repeating “there’s a map for that” while showing various usage scenarios in which Verizon’s 3G coverage might better that of AT&T’s. The Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T is claiming that Verizon is misleading consumers with the ads, by using maps with large amounts of blank space which AT&T says indicate a complete lack of coverage, not just a lack of 3G. “By communicating that AT&T customers have no coverage in large parts of the country, Verizon is misleading the public about an essential component of the services AT&T offers,” the suit reads.  Verizon is claiming the lawsuit is without merit. “Our ads clearly explain that non-3G coverage is available elsewhere,” Verizon spokesman Jim Gerace told the WSJ. “I think it’s interesting that AT&T’s chose to focus on the white areas and not the blues area of their map. We think it calls into question their own fastest 3G claim as the map clearly shows where 3G doesn’t exist.”