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Sprint makes Premium Data changes from Jan 30, 2011
- Thread starter momentoid
- Start date
I have been with Sprint more than 10 years and there is nothing Sprint did to wow! Whatever they announce Feb 7 or in April will be bad news in colorful wrapping. The sentence in above announcement for ex: "The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers ..."
It is just a way for Sprint to reduce/avoid their investment in billing systems that can handle data-usage-tiers. Save on investment + increase rates = more increase in profits.
Tiered billing is inevitable. Once they have locked enough customers with unlimited slogan, and people really start using unlimited data, tiered plans will be in with another rate increase.
It is just a way for Sprint to reduce/avoid their investment in billing systems that can handle data-usage-tiers. Save on investment + increase rates = more increase in profits.
Tiered billing is inevitable. Once they have locked enough customers with unlimited slogan, and people really start using unlimited data, tiered plans will be in with another rate increase.
CriticalCritic
Android Expert
Dilemma...
I'm in dispute with Sprint right now over an FCC complaint I filed a few months back. I have a family plan with 3 lines. They offered to let me terminate my contract (one of the lines, not the primary) to resolve the issue. That line is already eligible for an upgrade (now out of contract), so the cancellation does me no good at all! LOL.
My wife's line is going to be eligible for an upgrade on Feb 1, meaning that she will just barely get clipped by the new $10 when she upgrades to an Android... So I just got off the phone with the Sprint character that is handling my complaint, and I am pushing to - instead of a "free" line cancellation - bumping up her upgrade to right now in an attempt to get in before the rate increase.
Should I upgrade those 2 phones ASAP (All of them are smartphones)? Any other ideas? I HATE to use the upgrades before the new summer lineup hits, but it will also potentially save about $480. What to do what to do!?
I'm in dispute with Sprint right now over an FCC complaint I filed a few months back. I have a family plan with 3 lines. They offered to let me terminate my contract (one of the lines, not the primary) to resolve the issue. That line is already eligible for an upgrade (now out of contract), so the cancellation does me no good at all! LOL.
My wife's line is going to be eligible for an upgrade on Feb 1, meaning that she will just barely get clipped by the new $10 when she upgrades to an Android... So I just got off the phone with the Sprint character that is handling my complaint, and I am pushing to - instead of a "free" line cancellation - bumping up her upgrade to right now in an attempt to get in before the rate increase.
Should I upgrade those 2 phones ASAP (All of them are smartphones)? Any other ideas? I HATE to use the upgrades before the new summer lineup hits, but it will also potentially save about $480. What to do what to do!?
Thats a tough call. Sprint has been nice enough to let me upgrade a few weeks early on more than one occasion in the past. If you're nice and get the right person, they'll likely say "no problem." Got my Pre this way and my EVO this way.
As far as using your upgrade now instead of later to get a newer/better phone... thats the tough call. As far as the 10dollar fee goes, any phone with 4G will have it anywyas, so its no big deal. Most of us are already paying it and our rates wont change. Most likely all the high end phones in the future will be 4G, so you would have ended up paying this anyway, so it really dosent matter.
IOWA
Mr. Logic Pants
RoboMonkey
Android Expert
So when are you leaving for Verizion?
CriticalCritic
Android Expert
LOL! I can't believe that slipped my mind! My wife is going to get one of the big 3, which of course means that no matter what we will be paying that 4G charge. sh*t.
Well, I bet that Sprint rep will call back tomorrow with news about early upgrade eligibility. LOL.
I know I will be leaving as soon as its confirmed that the annual upgrades are gone.
jander1023
Newbie
I can tell you that Verizon is much more expensive than Sprint, currently. I'm with Verizon and looking to switch back to Sprint. Even with the $10 charge, I'll save almost $20 per line. Plus, I'm almost 100% positive that Verizon will charge a $10-ish premium for their 4g phones.
I pay $100 for my Verizon share plan with unlimited text and 700 minutes. Add $20 for the 2nd line. If I add two smartphones, then I have to pay $30 each for unlimited data. Then, when they roll out their 4g, you can be sure they will charge another $10 or so, just like Sprint. Their CEO basically said that they would last month when they officially announced their 4g.
Grand total for 2 smart phones with Verizon - $200
With Sprint's family everything data plan, I'd pay $130 for 1500 anytime minutes, unlimited text and unlimited data; plus $10 per phone for 3g/4g.
Grand total for 2 smart phones with Sprint - $150
Now, when you add another line with Sprint, you'll pay $20 for adding a line to the family plan plus $10 3g/4g charge. With Verizon, you'll pay $20 for the line, then $30 for unlimited data and then $10 assumed for 4g. BIG DIFFERENCE!
jander1023
Newbie
Verizon announced they are ending their upgrade program, as well. Plus, as I already documented, Verizon is much more expensive per line for smartphones. When I called their customer service asking if they had any plans for better family/share plans, they gave me the old "you get what you pay for" rhetoric.
They also tried to tell me their LTE 4g is better than Sprint's WiMax. However, once they add all those iPhone users to their network, I doubt there will be much bandwidth left. Many analyst expect Verizon to sell 10 million iPhones. More than 2 million of those will be refugees from AT&T.
Even if you concede that their network is faster, are you willing to pay a $30 premium, per line, for their faster network? Even Sprints "slow" WiMax 4g is faster than my home broadband. Is downloading a song a few seconds faster worth paying hundreds of dollars more per year?
SoulTerror
Android Enthusiast
Like it was already said, Verizon already killed their upgrade discounts.
As I have said, I will leave, when Sprints annual upgrade is confirmed Dead. Verizons upgrade discount was a non factor to me. You could get phones at a steep discount on your new every two, if you do the upgrade through Amazon or Dell.
What people... A LOT of you dont seem to understand is... many New Sprint Subscribers went with Sprint, because Sprint offered more, for the same price. Sprint closed that gap. To me, I would rather go back to Verizon, who has a more reliable and faster network.
I dont need unlimited mobile to mobile. i dont even need texts, thanks to google voice. 450 mins+unlimited data on Verizon = $70. To get 450 mins and unlimited data on Sprint I have to pay $80.
In the last 7 months Sprint:
1) Charged $10 for Premium data for 4G phones, even though their base plan is called EVERYTHING DATA
2) Removed Corp discounts on additional lines
3) Expanded the $10 premium data to practically everyone on the Everything Data plan
4) Removed the Annual upgrade.
IMO, their next move.... Charge $10 for 4G access to people who have 4G phones.
If anyone can get VZW or ATT cheaper with what you want or the same plan, go for it. I just haven't found that mathmatically possible considering I need or want high mins, unlimited data on 3G and 4G, and unlimited text. The GPS and Sprint TV aren't needed, but I use them almost daily.
As to Google Voice and other ways to save by NOT using the network, that's the point to me.
Undoubtedly, Sprint has added some costs and fees that we don't like and that bring it closer but not equal to or above the other carriers. However, Sprint's still a good option.
As to speed and reliability, I don't have any issues with Sprint. I had them with ATT. Some of my friends and family members are loyal to one or the other and would never consider Sprint. So, I'm convinced that there is a population segment that sticks with their carriers just because it's familiar and they want to keep it. That's their choice. It appears that some on this thread feel the same way. I hope anyone that moves does save, but I doubt it.
Before I switched to Sprint, I went through the process with VZW. In the end, they could not match Sprint's plans and values. So they sold me the speed, reliability, and a map that showed coverage. I never questioned any of those things, only the price sheet.
Ever wonder why VZW and ATT don't do apples to apples price comparison sheets with Sprint? Because they can't match or beat Sprint.
As to Google Voice and other ways to save by NOT using the network, that's the point to me.
Undoubtedly, Sprint has added some costs and fees that we don't like and that bring it closer but not equal to or above the other carriers. However, Sprint's still a good option.
As to speed and reliability, I don't have any issues with Sprint. I had them with ATT. Some of my friends and family members are loyal to one or the other and would never consider Sprint. So, I'm convinced that there is a population segment that sticks with their carriers just because it's familiar and they want to keep it. That's their choice. It appears that some on this thread feel the same way. I hope anyone that moves does save, but I doubt it.
Before I switched to Sprint, I went through the process with VZW. In the end, they could not match Sprint's plans and values. So they sold me the speed, reliability, and a map that showed coverage. I never questioned any of those things, only the price sheet.
Ever wonder why VZW and ATT don't do apples to apples price comparison sheets with Sprint? Because they can't match or beat Sprint.
The argument on price point is a huge factor for some.. But some people might actually like Sprint for Sprint..
As customers like ATT and Verizon respectively..
I have had nothing but great experiences with them. Even if they did cost the same as the other 2 carriers why would I leave? For our needs they far exceed what VW and ATT provide.
I chose them for what the have offered us to date.. The savings to me are just a bonus..
Our company saves anywhere from 5-8k A year on Sprint.. That is a hell of a bonus on top of the great service we get.
As customers like ATT and Verizon respectively..
I have had nothing but great experiences with them. Even if they did cost the same as the other 2 carriers why would I leave? For our needs they far exceed what VW and ATT provide.
I chose them for what the have offered us to date.. The savings to me are just a bonus..
Our company saves anywhere from 5-8k A year on Sprint.. That is a hell of a bonus on top of the great service we get.
You guys can defend Sprint till the cows come home, but the facts are... Sprint lost 10 million customers from 2005-2010. In the last two quarters they finally turned it around and gained 500K Customers.
So how do they celebrate?
1) Charged a $10 Premium data fee to 4G phones, even though the baseplan is "EVERYTHING DATA"
2) Removed corporate discounts to additional lines.
3) Expanded the $10 premium data to almost all EVERYTHING DATA users.
4) Got rid of their annual upgrade perk
Whats next? IMO, the next logical cashgrab will be to charge $10 for 4G, since the last 4G charge was not for 4G, it was for "Premium Data"
CarrieK
Android Expert
Ultimately, what matters is which provider gives YOU the best service and services that fit YOUR needs for the best price. In my case, for the last 7 years that has been Sprint. We have an EVO and willingly signed the contract knowing about the $10 fee. We recently upgraded our remaining 3 lines to the Optimus S, so as I understand it (so far, anyway...looked at the plans they offer and I did not see a price change there) I will not see a difference in our bill because the $10 fee for other smartphones will not take effect until January 30. If contract renewal time rolls around and we have to start paying $30 dollars more a month (whether for the 3 Optimi or upgraded smartphones) without an adjustment in the base plan, then we will take a look at other carriers. I'll stay for now because I have been happy with my service and it doesn't appear there will be a change in my bill, but who can say what other carriers will be charging at that point and how Sprint will compare? To say the least, this is very disappointing to me 
That is the thing.. there is no need to defend them, for me they work well. No problems.. Good service, great phones, good 3g and 4g coverage where we need them and excellent pricing even with the increases..
I don't need credits or perks to keep me.. They work for us just fine and alot of other business as well..
If you need perks and low fees to keep you on Sprint, now is the time to leave.. Right?
all i am saying....
show me a carrier that has not made changes or price increases? they go through cycles.
if you want to jump form one carrier to anther... because of price changes or benefit changes..... then dont take off your shoes.. get ready to jump again.. and again. if that is what you like to do.. that is your right!
show me a carrier that has not made changes or price increases? they go through cycles.
if you want to jump form one carrier to anther... because of price changes or benefit changes..... then dont take off your shoes.. get ready to jump again.. and again. if that is what you like to do.. that is your right!
CarrieK
Android Expert
I've been happy with Sprint and felt I was getting great service at a great price. If that continues to be the case then I will stay with them. To be fair, I haven't compared rates in quite a while. If all providers cost roughly the same for the same service when my contract is up then I guess we'll just have to drop a couple of lines regardless of who we go with. I doubt that there will be many "dumb" phones available much longer (I have a phone line for my parents and they prefer just a "phone") which may force upgrades as older phones wear out. Not sure about anyone else, but for me, even if Sprint is still cheaper than anyone else, that $30 makes a difference.
CoachEVO
Well-Known Member
The above is the problem. I get that they are still cheaper, and that's a good thing. It just seems like now that they have somewhat turned the "customer corner" with gains, they are saying, "ok...let's catch up with the other guys in price now. We can do it as we've got them hooked." I just think that it's a shame. I understand the economics and all, it just seems like we're being taken advantage of on some level, that's all.