AT&T’s Scare Tactic Advertising

Posted on August 15, 2006
Filed Under Uncategorized |

AT&T is running radio commercials that basically say “if the power goes out and you have VoIP, your phone service won’t work” and suggesting that landline service is the safest and most reliable service because it works when the power goes out. I find these kinds of ads deplorable for a couple of reasons, but mostly just because they stink of desperation driven by the increasing stream of customers leaving AT&T.

First of all, AT&T is also selling VoIP so it’s a little disingenuous to suggest that the service is unreliable or could cause a safety lapse in one’s home. Secondly, I have two words for AT&T: cell phones

Lastly, the suggestion that landline service remains functional in power outages is technically accurate but I can’t remember the last time I have seen one of those old basic phones that doesn’t require external power. So if you have a modern telephone that plugs into the wall, well that ain’t gonna work when the power goes out whether your have a POTS landline or not. While not across that line of deceptive advertising, the AT&T ads get real close… maybe they should focus their time and energy on rolling out new and innovative services that are also lower in cost.

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