"Want 5 times more 3G Coverage? There's a map for that." That is the new slogan by Verizon for a new ad campaign touting its superior 3G coverage in the US. It is a takeoff on the Apple iPhone slogan that asks a question and then responds with "There's an app for that." The iPhone, of course, runs only on the AT&T network in the US. Just when you thought AT&T couldn't be beat up any more over the complaints over their 3G network, Verizon kicks them while they are down.All Things Digital has a video of one of the ads that Verizon is running. While the iPhone isn't specifically mentioned, it is clear that is who Verizon is targeting. iPhone users have had numerous frustrations over the last year or so since the original 3G iPhone launched. Even when users had coverage, they may have spotty performance as the local towers were overwhelmed by the usage that was above what AT&T had designed their network for.

While Verizon has a point, they don't have the iPhone, nor any phone on their network that compares. It isn't about features, it is about the entire ecosystem. The iPhone App Store alone is enough to keep many users on the iPhone, as is simple iTunes sync. Heck, just being able to say "I use an iPhone" is enough to keep some people on the AT&T network. Once Verizon gets the iPhone when the exclusivity deal runs out, we'll see if Verizon's network is built to handle the bandwidth the collective iPhone users demand.

Until then, let the trash talk continue.