AT&T's (T) Latest Media Blitz Suggests an Inferiority Complex
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AT&T (NYSE: T) is feeling the pressure. The pressure of a limited network. The pressure of losing iPhone exclusivity.
Why, AT&T is feeling downright blue.
The game has been afoot ever since Verizon (NYSE: VZ) began an advertising campaign aimed at the sketchy network coverage that AT&T provides.
Admittedly, it is a little juvenile, akin to a kindergarten playground argument where a shoving match ensues and the first one to fall is the eventual loser. However, in jest there is truth, and many at AT&T have voiced their concern.
You may have caught the recent article that highlighted AT&T's rough week in early December. If not, you surely saw AT&T creating a new specialty app for the iPhone that would allow users to let AT&T know when coverage was dropped. Oh, and then iPhone users united to take down AT&T's network. Overall, November and December have been rough months for the wireless giant.
Now, in an unusual attention to detail, AT&T seems to be more focused than ever on letting you know just where they're making coverage available. Ever since December 14, AT&T has begun to increase their press releases on "delivering improved wireless networks.," and "bringing 3G mobile broadband network to," or their "upgrades significantly improving network performance." The count on December 14th was two press releases about improving their coverage. December 21nd's press release count? 13.
If AT&T were to lose their iPhone contract to a company like Verizon, who knows what sort of fallout AT&T could experience. Piper Jaffray analysts Gene Munster thinks there's a 70% chance that will happen.
To summarize, this isn't a negative column on AT&T. We've all enjoyed AT&T services before, through landline phone calls, and they do have a rather large market capitalization of $164 billion. But this latest onslaught of PR's seems to have a whiff of desperation. I guess one would have to wonder what the point is. Are they seriously running scared? Trying to make a case to Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)? Making a case to their paying customers?
So how hard can AT&T shove?
Why, AT&T is feeling downright blue.
The game has been afoot ever since Verizon (NYSE: VZ) began an advertising campaign aimed at the sketchy network coverage that AT&T provides.
Admittedly, it is a little juvenile, akin to a kindergarten playground argument where a shoving match ensues and the first one to fall is the eventual loser. However, in jest there is truth, and many at AT&T have voiced their concern.
You may have caught the recent article that highlighted AT&T's rough week in early December. If not, you surely saw AT&T creating a new specialty app for the iPhone that would allow users to let AT&T know when coverage was dropped. Oh, and then iPhone users united to take down AT&T's network. Overall, November and December have been rough months for the wireless giant.
Now, in an unusual attention to detail, AT&T seems to be more focused than ever on letting you know just where they're making coverage available. Ever since December 14, AT&T has begun to increase their press releases on "delivering improved wireless networks.," and "bringing 3G mobile broadband network to," or their "upgrades significantly improving network performance." The count on December 14th was two press releases about improving their coverage. December 21nd's press release count? 13.
If AT&T were to lose their iPhone contract to a company like Verizon, who knows what sort of fallout AT&T could experience. Piper Jaffray analysts Gene Munster thinks there's a 70% chance that will happen.
To summarize, this isn't a negative column on AT&T. We've all enjoyed AT&T services before, through landline phone calls, and they do have a rather large market capitalization of $164 billion. But this latest onslaught of PR's seems to have a whiff of desperation. I guess one would have to wonder what the point is. Are they seriously running scared? Trying to make a case to Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)? Making a case to their paying customers?
So how hard can AT&T shove?
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