November 21st, 2008 by Mordy Gilden
I’ve seen this ad all over the internet lately, and its really been bugging me (click image to view full size).
In it, Sprint claims that with their new Samsung Rant, I’ll be able to “Experience texting at 3G speed.”
Can someone please explain this one to me?
Maybe I’m missing something here, but doesn’t Text Messaging get ZERO benefit from 3G data?
Texting (or the more technical term, SMS) was created as a way to embed short messages of up to 160 characters into the same networks used to carry digital voice.
3G Data came much later, and was created to offer high-speed internet access. It actually works using a separate (but parallel) technology to the voice network.
This is why SMS rates and cellular data rates are usually kept separate when billing. (Side note: Sometimes when roaming or in spotty coverage areas, one may find the data network does not work, however SMS works fine wherever you have voice coverage.)
Everytime I see this ad, I wonder who thought this was a good idea for a catch phrase. Then, I wonder who at Sprint gave the OK for it. Does anyone in the marketing team know how their phones work?
I actually picture the conversation going something like this:
Marketing rep #1: “Ok, how should we advertise the Samsung Rant?”
Marketing rep #2: “Hey, isn’t that the one that’s replacing the LG Rumor as our flagship texting phone?”
Marketing rep #1: “Yup.”
Marketing rep #2: “Ok, so how about : If you liked the LG Rumor, you’ll LOVE the Samsung Rant.”
Marketing rep #1: “No, people hated the Rumor, look at the blogs. We gotta compare it to something the public LOVES”
Marketing rep #2: “You mean like the iPhone 3G?”
Marketing rep #1 (cringing): “Yes. Like the iPhone 3G. In fact, suddenly people who don’t even know what 3G means are jumping to replace their 2G iPhones for it.”
Marketing rep #2: “Ok, so how about we mention 3G and Texting on a keyboard in one sentence? Experience texting at 3G speeds!”
Marketing rep #1: “I love it!”
Marketing rep #3: “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Marketing rep #1: “Quiet you, when did you even get here? Look, we had another terrible 3rd quarter net loss, and we need some positive results. If it means we have to market ourselves to ignorant people, so be it.”
Marketing rep #3: “But its idiotic.”
Marketing rep #1: “I don’t recall asking you. Let’s print it!”
Marketing rep #2 (beaming): “Already sent.”
Marketing rep #3: “Well, there go our jobs…”
Well, something like that, probably.
Honestly, I love Sprint, and they’re still my favorite underdog carrier. But I couldn’t resist commenting on this ad- I see it everywhere.
Well, I guess it works. Here I am discussing the Samsung Rant to the public, and I may actually have to try it out. Why? Well, I quite honestly can say I’ve never experienced texting at 3G speeds, and I’d like to see what it is like.
Until next time…
