Let me put it this way
If nothing else, you win the prize for the longest first post by a newbie (and there have been more new posters lately than we've seen in years).
Welcome aboard.
I understand what you mean about some networks working better in certain areas, but that doesn't have anything to do with CDMA or GSM technology. CDMA towers generallyce would be worthless. It's barely able to pull voice let alone data off of an old cobbled up GSM roaming network. When my uncle and aunt came to visit me their iPhones became iBricks. AT&T has basically told the rural US to forget about 3G because there is no profit in providing service to those areas. Verizon has 3G just about anywhere you can throw a dart on a map.
Just because you have poor service with Verizon doesn't mean everyone else does. I'd say on average, for most people in all different regions of the country you would see more issues with AT&T then with Verizon.
I totally agree that AT&T probably doesn't care that his signals aren't as long and strong as Verizon's, but that's just like, well, natural endowments in the animal kingdom: Verizon just happens to reach out and touch more people due to its own God-given girth, in this case longer, stronger CDMA signals, as you so observantly noted. Verizon satisfies with its youthful bravado, but he has not been in a true relationship of equality, one that tests all of his attributes, you might say.
I am sure that the Adam who is AT&T is laughing all the way to the bank with his Apple, as so many people are in a contract with them for the sake of the Iphone, yet are dissatisfied and underserved. But Verizon claiming itself better in completely different circumstances, employing a different, err, tool that has, well, a different, less "multitasking" reach (even though it is, at the moment, pleasing its particular harem and talking about it) than that of AT&T's at-times prematurely disappointing but more experienced, well-rounded, you could say, voice-AND-data-at-once means of fulfillment is indicative of Verizon's seeming pubescence in these matters, no? And we all must grow up at some point and give our people what they want: in this case two things at once and 24/7.
And, no, AT&T does not always succeed, but he is a worldy man to Verizon's boasting boy. To not even put-out beneath the weight of the outer world's many appetites is to remain the eternal, narcissistic adolescent, no?
And adolescents are charming but ultimately not yet worth their salt when the nights travails have concluded, wouldn't you agree? I must retire now to my boudoir...Good night.