Cablevision Systems is suing rival Verizon Communications in an effort to stop an advertising campaign deriding the speed of Cablevision’s Internet service.
The complaint filed in New York federal court alleges Verizon’s ads on TV, radio and the Internet have been deliberately misleading consumers about a Federal Communications Commission study about the speed of Cablevision’s network for Internet access. The Verizon ads cite the FCC findings as proof that Cablevision’s Internet service isn’t as fast as Cablevision claims in its own ads.
Cablevision, which is based in Bethpage, N.Y., alleges Verizon’s ads are misleading because they ignore more recent FCC tests that found that Cablevision’s Internet network is performing as promised.
The suit seeks a court order to block Verizon from running the disparaging ads.
Verizon, which is based in New York, is standing behind its ads.
“In terms of the accuracy of its advertising, Cablevision was the worst,” Verizon spokesman Bill Kula said. “Verizon will defend Cablevision’s lawsuit vigorously to ensure that consumers continue to receive truthful information about Cablevision’s misleading Internet speed claims.”
Filed Under: Cables + cable management, Industry regulations + certifications