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NEW YORK -- What would the holidays be without bickering between siblings? AT&T and Verizon are swamping TV with ads attacking facets of each other's wireless networks. While the ads stick fairly close to the truth, there's a lot they don't say.
AT&T Inc. has been running ads with actor Luke Wilson checking off points in AT&T's favor over Verizon Wireless.
Here is a look at some of the arguments being raised in the ads:
* Coverage: It's incontrovertible that Verizon's 3G network has broader coverage than AT&T's. Verizon's network reaches 280 million Americans, compared to AT&T's 233 million. By area, the difference is even greater -- Verizon covers cities and vast, thinly populated areas of the Midwest and West, while AT&T's 3G coverage hews closer to cities and highways. However, AT&T's older, slower "EDGE" data network covers 301 million people and is adequate for e-mail access and many other smart phone functions.
* Speed: Luke Wilson's top point is that AT&T has "the nation's fastest 3G network." The ad doesn't cite any sources or figures. AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said the claim is based on "extensive testing by outside research firms." The company isn't providing the studies.
* Talk and surf: Wilson fronts an AT&T ad that points out that it's possible to talk on a smart phone and surf on AT&T's 3G network at the same time, which isn't possible on Verizon. Apple has jumped into the fray with its own ad, echoing that message and demonstrating how convenient it is to be able to look up show times while chatting with your friend about which movie to see.
It's true that Verizon phones can't handle simultaneous voice and 3G data connections. However, the ones that have Wi-Fi capability can be used to surf and talk at the same time if the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi hot spot.
* Best phones: Wilson says AT&T has the "most popular smart phones." It's true that AT&T sells more smart phones than Verizon, largely because it is the exclusive U.S. carrier of the iPhone.
* Most applications: Wilson checks a box that says "Access to over 100,000 apps" in AT&T's favor. He doesn't mention that the vast majority of those applications are accessible only to iPhone users.
