SideXSide: ATT or Verizon?

Features

Verizon Wireless

AT&T

Phone Selection

Huge. Dominated mainly by RIM’s
BlackBerry devices and Android-based products, like the Motorola Droid Pro.

Huge. Heavily invested in RIM’s
BlackBerry products, but not so much in the Android department. However, the company
makes up for that with Apple’s iPhone.

Mobile broadband plans

Yes. Pricing varies based on plan
type and data usage. Connectivity through 3G starts at $20 per month for 1GB
of data with certain devices and goes up to $80 for 10GB of usage. Prepaid
plans are also available.

Yes. Pricing varies based on data
usage. Connectivity through 3G is available for $40 with 2GB of data without
tethering. DataConnect Plans are also available, starting at $20 per month.

3G coverage

Although spotty in some areas
towards the Western part of the U.S., quite well spread out around the
country. Better 3G coverage than AT&T’s offering

Especially centered on big cities
with spotty coverage in several areas around the United States. Not quite as
strong as Verizon’s coverage.

4G connectivity?

Yes. LTE service available in 38
cities and 60 major airports.

To be made available commercially
in 2011.

Global Service

Robust international services,
ranging from cruise ship coverage, global phone, global e-mail, and mobile
Web access in over 220 countries around the world. Over 125 of those
countries offer 3G connectivity.

Robust international services,
ranging from voice coverage, data access in 170 countries, and e-mail access,
thanks to data connectivity. AT&T has GSM/GPRS/EDGE network available for
data in 70 countries.

Customer service

Difficult to rank, due to
insufficient data. However, Consumer Reports placed Verizon customer service
towards the top in its evaluation.

Difficult to rank, due to
insufficient data. However, Consumer Reports placed AT&T customer service
towards the bottom in its evaluation.

Voice coverage

Ubiquitous. Some areas are without
service, but they are few and far between.

Ubiquitous. Some areas are without
service, but they are few and far between.

Non-Calling Service

Offers several “mobile office
solutions,” including vehicle tracking, machine-to-machine service,
private network support, and other turnkey wireless offerings.

Offers sales force automation,
vehicle tracking, and field-based automation. Several other solutions also
available, including Airtime manager and mobile dictation.

Industry-Specific Service

Yes. Several industries supported,
including education, construction, technology, retail, and many more.

Yes. Boasts several industry solutions,
ranging from financial services, retail, consumer goods, and many others.

Pre-purchase information

Saving time on learning about
carriers is important. Verizon’s business pages are extremely informative,
limiting amount of time needed to contact the company and seek information.

Saving time on learning about
carriers is important. AT&T’s business pages are relatively informative,
but don’t necessarily limit the amount of time needed to contact the company
and seek information. The pages could be improved