AT&T PR head mocks Verizon over iPhone

Although it is not even official yet, AT&T PR head Larry Solomon took a shot at Verizon's upcoming iPhone.

Apple and Verizon are expected to unveil the CDMA version of the device on Tuesday, with sales starting in earl February.

Said Solomon: "The iPhone is built for speed, but that's not what you get with a CDMA phone. I'm not sure iPhone users are ready for life in the slow lane."

The claim is that AT&T's GSM technology is faster than Verizon's CDMA tech.

AT&T has been the exclusive American carrier for the iPhone since its inception in 2007. Analysts have warned that losing the exclusivity pact, and the strong growth driver that is the iPhone, may affect the company's bottom line for some time. Other analysts have warned that frustrated AT&T iPhone owners may jump ship to Verizon, who is known to have the most reliable network of the major carriers.

It appears the carrier has fired the first shot in what will almost certainly be a "war" for iPhone customers.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Jan 2011 1:07

ZeusAV

Even though I can't stand AT&T, I do agree that GSM is superior to CDMA. Not being able to upgrade or switch phones on your own without carrier interference is lame.

10.1.2011 01:12 #1

lamain

Originally posted by ZeusAV: Even though I can't stand AT&T, I do agree that GSM is superior to CDMA. Not being able to upgrade or switch phones on your own without carrier interference is lame. Could not agree more.

10.1.2011 01:37 #2

Mrguss

The faster GSM network means nothing if you can't even connect to the 3G in the first place....

http://mashable.com/2011/01/09/att-verizon-iphone-2/

AT&T the worst carrier':

http://mashable.com/2010/12/07/att-consumer-reports/
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/06/technology/consumer_reports_att/index.htm?iid=EAL

Open Return Policies Drop:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/apple-will-drop-restocking-fees-on-january-11th/

Unlimited Data Plan from Verizon:

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/01/verizon-to-offer-unlimited-data-plans-for-iphone-users.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

+4000

10.1.2011 02:06 #3

Yamin C (unverified)

Its way more secure. People don't like stealing Verizon phones because you can't simply switch out the SIM card and use it. If I call in and notify it stolen, that phone is useless.

If a user is swapping out phones that often for that feature to really matter, there may be other problems the user needs to address first.

I'd very much welcome the change from, fast phone crappy network, to fast phone and a grown up network that can actually keep up. AT&T completely defeats the point of owning an iPhone, or any smartphone.

10.1.2011 03:00 #4

Invasian

I jumped the ship a few months ago to Verizon (Droid X) from AT&T (iPhone 3GS). Although I didn't think AT&T was that bad. It just felt good when my friend and I had a flat tire on the freeway and I had 3G full bars vs his no reception (iPhone 3G on AT&T).
Like Mrguss said speed is nothing if you can't connect to 3G.

10.1.2011 04:23 #5

KillerBug

GSM is junk...they claim it has faster theoretical speed, but that means nothing when AT&T only gives you 1/14 of rated speed.

Are iPhone users ready for slow speeds? If they have AT&T, they must already be used to it.

10.1.2011 05:40 #6

xyqo

GSM isn't junk just AT&T network. When I'm in the states and roaming with my GSM phone the AT&T service is ridiculously terrible its sad really.

XXYYQQOO!!! Yeah WELCOME TO JAMROCK

10.1.2011 09:05 #7

lissenup2

Not so sure that CDMA is really a "slower" network but it is technologically inferior. Either way, Verizon is not the "most reliable" network by any means.

They drop calls and have their fair share of dead zones including many in the Chicagoland area.

One thing Verizon is that no one else is............arrogant. They don't negotiate, don't budge, don't correct mistakes that are blatantly made by them, they have rogue employees that act on their own, and above all else, they're shady with shady practices.

Though many patsys won't agree, it is indeed a fact.

Regardless, all providers are about equal in terms of quality and service. Only Tmobile exceeds customer service expectations............hence the JD Power #1 rating for 7 years.

10.1.2011 11:14 #8

lissenup2

Originally posted by Yamin C: Its way more secure. People don't like stealing Verizon phones because you can't simply switch out the SIM card and use it. If I call in and notify it stolen, that phone is useless.

If a user is swapping out phones that often for that feature to really matter, there may be other problems the user needs to address first.

I'd very much welcome the change from, fast phone crappy network, to fast phone and a grown up network that can actually keep up. AT&T completely defeats the point of owning an iPhone, or any smartphone. Yet another ninny who believes the grass is always greener on the other side. When will you people learn?

And BTW...........I do NOT have at&t.

10.1.2011 11:23 #9

stuntman_

unlimated data is the selling point for me here, its bullshit ATT took away the unlimited data option.

10.1.2011 12:00 #10

lissenup2

Originally posted by stuntman_: unlimated data is the selling point for me here, its bullshit ATT took away the unlimited data option. I emphatically agree!

10.1.2011 12:08 #11

KillerBug

It really is easy to steal gsm phones, or gsm service...there are many huge security holes that no one is fixing, and there is even an easy to use keychain for stealing accounts. Cdma is not perfect, but it is at least mildly difficult to steal.

Cdma may be an older standard with lower specs, but that really does not matter when no one is using even half of cdma spec anyway.

As for reliabilty, verizon is king in the southeast...I have not dropped a call in over a year, and my internet works fast almost everywhere. My friends have all sorts of different networks...and they are all coming to verizon as their contracts end, in spite of the higher cost.

Btw...I just finished watching a movie on my laptop, through netflix, and using only my droid wifi tethering...try that on at&t!

10.1.2011 12:10 #12

lissenup2

Originally posted by KillerBug: It really is easy to steal gsm phones, or gsm service...there are many huge security holes that no one is fixing, and there is even an easy to use keychain for stealing accounts. Cdma is not perfect, but it is at least mildly difficult to steal.

Cdma may be an older standard with lower specs, but that really does not matter when no one is using even half of cdma spec anyway.

As for reliabilty, verizon is king in the southeast...I have not dropped a call in over a year, and my internet works fast almost everywhere. My friends have all sorts of different networks...and they are all coming to verizon as their contracts end, in spite of the higher cost.

Btw...I just finished watching a movie on my laptop, through netflix, and using only my droid wifi tethering...try that on at&t! No problem. Besides, AD posted a national cellular speed (data) test about 9 months or a year ago (maybe less) and I verified with other sites..................at&t actually has THE FASTEST data transfer speeds OVERALL throughout the country. 80% of the tests had shown Verizon and at&t totally equal but several where at&t was 30% faster. As I recall, Verizon did not exceed at&t's speed in ANY MARKET (though I could be mistaken and there may have been one)

At&t I'm sure has great service in the SE too. Both are the same and frankly, only idiots jump to another more expensive service just to say "mine's a little more consistently reliable than yours"...........which can be said about all. Verizon has poor service in many parts of the West Suburbs of Chicago.

10.1.2011 15:36 #13

DVDBack23

Originally posted by lissenup2: No problem. Besides, AD posted a national cellular speed (data) test about 9 months or a year ago (maybe less) and I verified with other sites..................at&t actually has THE FASTEST data transfer speeds OVERALL throughout the country. http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2010/02/24/at_t_bests_rivals_in_13_city_3g_speed_test

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10.1.2011 15:44 #14

xnonsuchx

The speed of both GSM and CDMA is bottlenecked by your local network anyway. GSM can also have interference issues w/ other electronic equipment, especially audio equipment.

10.1.2011 15:58 #15

GryphB

Laugh all you want AT&T, but nobody likes your service.

10.1.2011 18:10 #16

blueboy09

The CEO of AT&T had better remind himself of this: Karma is a bitch. What goes around comes around. You mock someone or something you might get more than you bargained for. My 2 cents.

Chance prepares the favored mind. Look up once in a while and you might learn something. - BLUEBOY

10.1.2011 18:28 #17

xnonsuchx

Originally posted by GryphB: Laugh all you want AT&T, but nobody likes your service.
To be fair, most people generally don't like ANY service.

10.1.2011 21:53 #18

KillerBug

Originally posted by DVDBack23: Originally posted by lissenup2: No problem. Besides, AD posted a national cellular speed (data) test about 9 months or a year ago (maybe less) and I verified with other sites..................at&t actually has THE FASTEST data transfer speeds OVERALL throughout the country. http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2010/02/24/at_t_bests_rivals_in_13_city_3g_speed_test

...Always the same article. Amazing...one worthless rag prints an article and everyone keeps bringing it up over and over. Nevermind the other tests done by reputable testers, nevermind that they had to drop several cities from the speed tests because AT&T wouldn't even connect at the airport. Oh, and really never mind that one of their test points was a 1-of-a-kind prototype tower built on top of an apple store...and they tested about 50 feet from it.

10.1.2011 22:26 #19

mike.m

Quote:Said Solomon: "The iPhone is built for speed, but that's not what you get with a CDMA phone... AT&T: Apple Thundercunts & Twats. Screwing YOU the consumer since 1983.

There's one thing you don't get with AT&T; good quality service. And what can you also not get from an iPhone? Let's see, Flash, SD-Card Slot, HDMI Port, Removable Battery, Gorilla Glass, AMOLED, 8MP+ Camera, no death grip, playback more media formats, larger/smaller screens, durable designs...need I go on?. A lot of phones such as Android have had this for a long time, so shove your crying up your a** Solomon. You too toy boy Steve Hand Jobs.

Solomon and Jobs are basically twin assholes. Both their company services/products are crap, offer low performance, and charge an arm and a leg for almost everything. And they both like to trash talk the competition. With Jobs, its Microsoft, Blu-ray, Adobe, and Android. With Solomon it's also Verizon. Talk about whining little babies with too much money.

10.1.2011 23:00 #20

Mrguss

Originally posted by lissenup2: Originally posted by KillerBug: It really is easy to steal gsm phones, or gsm service...there are many huge security holes that no one is fixing, and there is even an easy to use keychain for stealing accounts. Cdma is not perfect, but it is at least mildly difficult to steal.

Cdma may be an older standard with lower specs, but that really does not matter when no one is using even half of cdma spec anyway.

As for reliabilty, verizon is king in the southeast...I have not dropped a call in over a year, and my internet works fast almost everywhere. My friends have all sorts of different networks...and they are all coming to verizon as their contracts end, in spite of the higher cost.

Btw...I just finished watching a movie on my laptop, through netflix, and using only my droid wifi tethering...try that on at&t! No problem. Besides, AD posted a national cellular speed (data) test about 9 months or a year ago (maybe less) and I verified with other sites..................at&t actually has THE FASTEST data transfer speeds OVERALL throughout the country. 80% of the tests had shown Verizon and at&t totally equal but several where at&t was 30% faster. As I recall, Verizon did not exceed at&t's speed in ANY MARKET (though I could be mistaken and there may have been one)

At&t I'm sure has great service in the SE too. Both are the same and frankly, only idiots jump to another more expensive service just to say "mine's a little more consistently reliable than yours"...........which can be said about all. Verizon has poor service in many parts of the West Suburbs of Chicago. Dec. 6th. 2010 2:50pm
http://gizmodo.com/5707431/att-fingered-as-worst-carrier-by-consumer-reports

+4000

11.1.2011 02:56 #21

xnmalletx

Quote:There's one thing you don't get with AT&T; good quality service
My sister used up all 3000 rollover minutes and contiuned to use up my entire 700 minute plan and she went over by about 300 minutes. I called at&t and explained the situation and immediately, the representative gave us 400 extra rollovers to cover the overage. And i live way up in the north country of ny, my at&t coverage is amazing in the area i live but terrible when i travel through vermont. I get on avg 4mb down on 3g and not one dropped call since i've bought the iphone in september. I have no clue how good verizon's is. Honestly, I think the reliability of the network depends upon your location more than anything.

11.1.2011 08:35 #22

djeazyg

Originally posted by xnmalletx: Quote:There's one thing you don't get with AT&T; good quality service
My sister used up all 3000 rollover minutes and contiuned to use up my entire 700 minute plan and she went over by about 300 minutes. I called at&t and explained the situation and immediately, the representative gave us 400 extra rollovers to cover the overage. And i live way up in the north country of ny, my at&t coverage is amazing in the area i live but terrible when i travel through vermont. I get on avg 4mb down on 3g and not one dropped call since i've bought the iphone in september. I have no clue how good verizon's is. Honestly, I think the reliability of the network depends upon your location more than anything. This is truth. I have both ATT iPhone for me and Verizon for work. One sucks just as much as the other depending on where you are at. Lets see what happens to the Verizon network after you have however many million new customers after the iphone comes out. This argument is pointless.

11.1.2011 21:44 #23

No_ID

What people refuse to state is that AT&T was the leading carrier before they got the iPhone, which is why Apple and AT&T signed an exclusive contract with each other. After the massive influx of users buying the iPhone and completely abusing AT&T's network, along with their unlimited data plan they offered, they severely congested the network with the constant over use of data. The only way we will be able to tell if Verizon is the great network you guys are boasting it to be is when they receive the huge income of new users to congest the network with their new unlimited data plan and iPhone.

12.1.2011 13:55 #24

KillerBug

Originally posted by No_ID: What people refuse to state is that AT&T was the leading carrier before they got the iPhone, which is why Apple and AT&T signed an exclusive contract with each other. After the massive influx of users buying the iPhone and completely abusing AT&T's network, along with their unlimited data plan they offered, they severely congested the network with the constant over use of data. The only way we will be able to tell if Verizon is the great network you guys are boasting it to be is when they receive the huge income of new users to congest the network with their new unlimited data plan and iPhone. AT&T has had the iPhone for a long time...and their network still can't support it. Also, they claim that the average iPhone user uses less than 200MB per month...that isn't exactly abusing the network when you sold all those users unlimited plans.

I'm not looking forward to the verizon slowdowns...but at least verizon will do something about it instead enforcing draconian bandwidth limitations and paying PC World to do biased tests.

Just for the record, I hate Verizon...they are scumbags and they charge too much...and I am only a customer because they are the best option in terms of performance and reliability.

13.1.2011 00:24 #25

phantom542

Originally posted by stuntman_: unlimated data is the selling point for me here, its bullshit ATT took away the unlimited data option. that's it right there.

13.1.2011 20:43 #26

lxhotboy

a lot of you guys may have to eat your words bc proof is in the pudding that so far verizons iphone actually loads faster than att's

http://cnettv.cnet.com/iphone-4-speed-test-versus-verizon/9742-1_53-50098667.html?tag=epicStories

15.1.2011 20:49 #27

salsa36

Finally we are going to see which one is the best phone!!!!

This forum is plagued with disputes between people supporting one phone over the other now we can finally compare.

Personally i like the SIM card feature from AT&T phones. (great for international traveling)

16.1.2011 15:14 #28

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