T-Mobile has launched a legal counterattack against Verizon Wireless, claiming the nation’s largest wireless carrier uses misleading advertising tactics to steal customers from competitors.
The countersuit, filed late Friday in Manhattan federal court, comes nearly a month after Verizon filed its own lawsuit on February 4 targeting T-Mobile’s advertisements that promised customers could save over $1,000 annually by switching services.
According to T-Mobile’s legal filing, Verizon’s marketing campaign promising customers a superior deal when they bring in bills from T-Mobile or AT&T is fundamentally dishonest because Verizon cannot actually provide similar service plans at reduced costs.
Verizon’s promotional campaign features billboards and store displays showing historical figures George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin with shocked expressions over the company’s advertised offers.
“The Better Deal Campaign is a classic ‘bait and switch’ by which Verizon lures many consumers through the door with a false promise of savings and then tries to upsell them on more expensive products and services,” T-Mobile stated in court documents.
Verizon representatives and their legal team did not respond to requests for comment Monday regarding the countersuit.
In Verizon’s original legal action, the company claimed T-Mobile unfairly matched its discounted promotional pricing against Verizon’s regular rates while exaggerating the worth of additional services that competitors don’t include. T-Mobile has rejected these allegations.
Both wireless companies are seeking court orders to stop their rival’s advertising campaigns, along with triple financial damages under federal false advertising laws and compensation for violations of New York’s business competition regulations.
T-Mobile operates from its headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, while Verizon is based in New York.
According to year-end financial data, Verizon leads the wireless market with 146.9 million customers, followed closely by T-Mobile with 142.4 million subscribers. AT&T holds third place with 120.1 million customers.
