Confirmed: AT&T will have to give explanations to América and Verizon rubs its hands

The world of telecommunications in the United States is once again at the center of the debate. This time, it's not about a network outage or a rate hike, but something more subtle. It's an advertising campaign that has raised suspicions, and everything erupted because of an unexpected move by its main rival.

What seemed like just another simple promotion, with promises of free phones, has sparked a controversy that could cost AT&T dearly. The most curious part of the case is that it was Verizon who lit the spark.

An AT&T ad too good to be true

AT&T has been promoting an offer that caught the attention of thousands of consumers. "Find out how you can get the iPhone 16 Pro for free," they announced. At first glance, it sounded like an opportunity that was hard to turn down.

However, behind that phrase were conditions that not everyone knew about. According to the National Advertising Division (NAD), this campaign could mislead users. The main problem is the use of the term "everyone," which suggests that any customer can access the offer.

However, it's only valid for those who sign up for specific unlimited plans, which are usually more expensive.

Verizon files the complaint and unleashes the storm

In an unexpected twist, it was Verizon itself that filed a formal complaint with the NAD. The company questioned whether its rival was using an unclear advertising strategy and requested a review.

After analyzing the case, the NAD agreed with Verizon and recommended that AT&T modify its ad. Specifically, it asked that it be made more visible that the offer is limited to certain plans. It's not applicable to everyone.

AT&T, meanwhile, didn't sit idly by. The company has announced that it will appeal the decision, arguing that its message already includes the necessary information. They claim that the use of the term "free" is based on conditions that are well explained in the contract.

This dispute between the two is not an isolated case. It's part of a constant battle to attract new customers. The major carriers use aggressive promotions as their main tool.

Free phone offers, discounts for switching carriers, and seemingly irresistible rates are everyday occurrences. In many cases, these promotions come with fine print that users don't always read or understand.

The most ironic part of all is that Verizon, also known for its complex campaigns, was the one who reported this practice. That only shows how fierce this competition is: any detail becomes a weapon to bring down the rival.