The nation’s biggest mobile network operators have loudly voiced support for the FCC’s broadband mapping project, which seeks to obtain clear and detailed information on the extent of cellular coverage in the US.

However, they don’t want to actually go out and obtain real-world, on-the-ground tests of their networks to do so…

The irony here, of course, is that Verizon spent billions of dollars over the course of almost a decade on its “test man” advertising campaign. The campaign featured actor Paul Marcarelli asking “Can you hear me now?” as he tested Verizon’s network. (Marcarelli subsequently became a spokesman for Verizon’s rival Sprint.)
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