AT&T: In Serious Trouble?

For the last couple of years, AT&T has enjoyed exclusive rights to the top selling smart phone, the iPhone. However, now that Verizon has its hands on the iPhone, consumers have been swarming to break from AT&T and get their hands on it. Uh oh, AT&T's in trouble!

It's not only bad news that Verizon is taking some of their customers away, but it is also bringing to light the long time frustration AT&T customers  have had with their terrible reception. With this constantly being brought up, from what I've seen a lot in my own use of social media, I'm not entirely sure AT&T will be able to hold its #2 market share spot for much longer.

What I think AT&T needs to do:

• QUIT advertising that you have better coverage than Verizon!!! AT&T, i'm sorry but that is a loss cause.
• Invest your advertising dollars and branding strategy into something that actually does set you apart from Verizon. Maybe you offer better plans? I dunno.
• Don't turn the iPhone battle into a price war. Offer exclusive things for the AT&T iPhone that Verizon users cannot have. With the opening of the Verizon iPhone so fresh, people might have doubts as to whether or not it has beginning flaws in technology. This would be a way for AT&T to capitalize on that and convince people that their iPhone has more value.

Bottom line, I think AT&T was riding on the idea that iPhone would lead its success for too long. I believe their marketing and branding strategies have been terribly off because they have been trying to send advertising messages that appear to be false to most consumers.

Do you guys think AT&T will lose its number 2 spot eventually to Sprint/Nextel? What do you think they should do? Anybody have the Verizon iPhone? How do you like it?