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Date: Tuesday 29 August, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2006 - CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? (From Anchorage PRESS)
It could be Alaska's own version of the Coke and Pepsi battle, but with complicated math instead of cool taste tests. In its recent advertising campaign, cell phone provider ACS boasts the “Results aren't even close!” Tests show ACS has fewer dropped and blocked calls than either GCI or Alaska DigiTel, the company claims.
Alaska DigiTel responded earlier this month by filing a false advertising complaint against ACS with the Federal Trade Commission. Now, the independent contractor that ACS said helped them set up their tests denies they did so.
Alaska DigiTel contends that ACS manipulates statistics to make itself look good. Alaska DigiTel actually performed as well as ACS or out-performed ACS in ACS's own test, Alaska DigiTel Chief Operating Officer Jeff Roe said in a press release. “We totally stand by our advertising,” ACS corporate communications director Meghan Stapleton said this week.
In larger cities, cell phone companies rely on independent contractors to test coverage, Stapleton says. ACS contacted the “gold-standard tester” to see if they'd test in Alaska, Stapleton said. Stapleton wouldn't name that company, but she told the Anchorage Daily News it was San Francisco's Telephia. (“I shouldn't have mentioned their name,” Stapleton told Flashlight. “They said 'don't mention our name in the future.'”)
Stapleton says the “gold-standard tester” - Telephia - gave ACS information to set up its own test. “ACS used that information to construct and design its testing program, conferred with the third party tester, and received feedback that our methodology is sound,” Stapleton said.
Not so fast, says Telephia. Asked if the company helped ACS develop a test, Telephia senior vice president Jesse Goranson said, “No... We do not license our methodology.” “We had a simple 30-minute phone sales call with ACS looking over our methodology, which we do with everyone,” Telephia spokeswoman Maria Bumatay said. “In terms of having enough information to replicate [it], we did not go into enough detail.” Goranson said Telephia does not know whether ACS's test is accurate.
Alaska DigiTel began providing CDMA wireless communication service in the state of Alaska in November of 1998. Alaska DigiTel provides 100% digital service in Greater Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, Juneau and the Kenai Peninsula. Our fundamental goal is to provide customers with the best in wireless communications and personalized customer service. We live, work, and play in the communities we serve. We are constantly increasing our coverage area in the state of Alaska and adding new services for our customers. We carry a wide range of phones and accessories in each of our stores and offer the best in customer service. |
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