Update: Dueling Maps - Verizon Wireless vs. AT&T

See the bottom of this post for the UPDATE…

Are you tired yet of the Verizon Wireless vs. AT&T commericals with dueling maps? Verizon’s coverage map masks AT&T’s map for 3G. After watching the commercial "umteen" times I just had to find out if Verizon was exaggerating. But they couldn’t, right? AT&T would be all over them like a bad suit…a lawsuit! But if true, what great marketing on the part of Verizon. So, let’s see the map. Below are the maps (click maps for larger image) provided by each cellular carrier directly from their website. And, yes, AT&T has admittedly far less coverage. But AT&T really doesn’t want you to see the nationwide map. Before showing you any map, they ask you for your ZIP code first so they can zoom directly to the area of 3G coverage. You have to zoom out to see the full 3G map coverage. AT&T has since been running commercials showing a new nationwide coverage map. But don’t be fooled; that’s only "voice" coverage, not 3G for those who need high speed data transfer. Verizon wins; and this summer the iPhone is likely to be available for the Verizon Wireless network.

UPDATE: Reliable sources tell me that there is something I failed to point out about the AT&T vs Verizon Wireless coverage maps: there is a difference in 3G technology (as also mentioned in one of the comments here). Verizon’s 3G EV-DO CDMA system is roughly comparable – in download speeds and features – to AT&T’s 2.5G EDGE GSM system. AT&T’s worldwide coverage is extensive because of the GSM technology that is more widely used on a global scale. And apparently as Verizon moves to 4G, they will use LTE, a GSM standard, requiring a hardware upgrade where as AT&T’s move to 4G will require only a software upgrade and therefore a less cumbersome move to a new mobile device. Does this change the map? On a global scales it certainly makes a difference.

I like the comment Monmonier’s book. I was remiss in not mentioning his "How to Lie with Maps."