How Every Mobile Operator Claims Its Network Is The Best
from the it's-all-in-the-wording dept
A general rule of thumb around here when it comes to press releases (not that we pay attention to many press releases), is that any press release that calls the company in question a "leading" company in some market automatically gets trashed. We will not read beyond "leading" or "leader" because the press release is obviously a bunch of bogus, useless and self-promotional statements. This pretty much takes about 99% of the press releases we receive right out of the inbox (if you hadn't figured this out yet, this means don't send us press releases -- though, since it appears most of the PR people who bombard us on a daily basis clearly don't read the site, it's unlikely this will have much of an impact). Of course, these types of claims aren't limited to just press releases. They show up in advertising all the time as well -- particularly in the mobile operator space. Last week, there was some discussion over at Engadget over how Alltel could possibly get away with claiming it had the largest network, when unlike the "big four" competitors, Alltel isn't a nationwide operator. Meanwhile, the NY Times looks into the fact that Verizon Wireless, Sprint and Cingular all put various spins on the idea that they each offer the "best" network. For Verizon Wireless, it's the "most reliable," Sprint says "most powerful" and Cingular claims "fewest dropped calls." All, of course, claim independent studies back up their claims... but all are pretty clearly picking and choosing numbers to support the advertising campaign -- and the use of such generic claims don't inspire much confidence. Of course, in the end the real question should be whether or not anyone actually cares? It seems most people know better than to even remotely care about claims like that -- and are more concerned with (a) how much service costs (b) what kind of phones can be used on the service and (c) does it work in the few places they're likely to be.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Work From Home?
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Connected.
I live in the Washington DC area, so we're pretty saturated out here by all the "big four". However, someone in Bumfxck, Iowa - might be stuck using T-Mobile simply because it's the only service that works in their area.
Calling plans, I think Sprint is the fairest - since acquiring Nextel - they've adopted Nextel's "free incoming" plans. That's the way all providers are everywhere else but in the US. Spring also has some really nifty data service. They used to be a leader in cool phones, but have declined in the past year.
Verizon has the most people - and free calling/texting to Verizon customers - which means good stuff.
T-Mobile has cool phones and great deals on plans - but they're not really known for excellent service so you're limited there.
Cingular/ATT - I can't really think of anything nice. I suppose they compare to Verizon, being the 2nd largest network.
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Re: Connected.
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Re: Connected.
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Nothing new
Can't remember the source but I read where a court refused to award damages against marketing claims with the judge ruling that marketing hyperbole was the nature of the business. Great legal mind there, seemingly 'it's fine because it goes on all the time.'
But we've all seen it, how many golf ball ads state that their ball is the farthest, straightest, most boring throught the wind etc. etc.?
Nothing new here.
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Too much credit?
'most people know better than to even remotely care about claims like that (best network ever!).'
I would love to have more faith in people but I am constantly let down.
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different view
t mobil has some pretty big empty spots here too.
it's all personal choice. buy what you want, don't want it don't buy it and don't bitch about it.
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Marketing makes the language meaningless
Marketing has become the art of lying without lying.
Words have been used by marketers in such contexts for so long that they no longer hold ANY meaning at all.
"New and IMPROVED!"
"We're the best"
"We're 50% better than the leading product"
"quality"
There are too many loopholes and fine print on everything that basically these asses can claim ANYTHING about ANY product along the lines above and NEVER get called on it. We may have truth in advertising laws, but I don't see them working, too many nuances in language to ever be effective.
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Re: Marketing makes the language meaningless
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Good related points from Freakanomics
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006073132X/bookstorenow57-20/103-4609496-0639862
(I f you haven't read this, you shoud, its a fun read, and fascinating.)
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Complaints to the FCC against each national carrier per 100,000 customers
Cingular - 4.6
T-Mobile USA - 4.3
Sprint - 3.6
Nextel - 2.3
Verizon Wireless - 1.4
And from http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/fcc_cell_complaints.html:
ConsumerAffairs.Com Cell Phone Complaints
Cingular/AT&T - 534
Sprint - 216
T-Mobile - 195
Verizon - 170
Nextel - 108
Myself, I dumped Cingular for T-Mobile. I had great reception with Cingular at home and work, then I moved 1/2 mile into a new condo. There was a 2 square block dead spot at the new place (in the middle of Minneapolis) and Cingular refused to fix it or allow me to cancel my service. I plan on filing a complaint with the FCC very soon.
BTW, I get a strong signal from T-Mobile now. I guess you really just go with the provider that gives you the best reception in the places you frequent the most. Also, Amazon.com has great prices on T-Mobile phones that the stores and kiosks can't come near.
Dave
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Meanwhile
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nursing
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The Networks really don't care.
The worst thing about all the claims these cellular networks make is that when it comes down to it - none of them really care about the cellular reception individual customers experience. Cellular amplifiers that improve cell signal have been around for years now but due to FCC regulations concerning the licensing of wireless spectrum - the Networks are prohibited from manfacturing these devices.
See here: Why don't the cell networks offer cell phone repeaters?
The fact is that if the cell networks stood to gain from these then no doubt the situation would be like in South Korea where these repeaters are on every street corner. But with the cell networks prevented from prospering from these, it is left to small third party start ups to promote them who cannot compete with the resources of the large multi national cell companies.
The truth is, if the Networks really cared they would altruistically promote these third party products to their customers.
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Cingular is dead wrong!
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?
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http://www.mobilesclub.net
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