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Is the $10 4G fee gone?

J

JohnJSal

Android Expert
I've noticed that the price of Sprint data plans have all gone up $10. Does this mean they removed the separate $10 fee and included it in the price of the plans?

On my bill, I still have the plan listed as $69 (instead of $79) and the $10 fee is still listed separately. I'm guessing this might be because I signed up for the plan a few years ago, when it was still $69.

But my question is, would it be possible for me to call Sprint and ask them to remove the $10 fee, if they are no longer charging it separately? The reasoning would be that they dropped the fee and increased the price of their plans, but I am grandfathered in with the $69 plan.

But why should I continue to pay the $10 fee if it's been removed? Assuming it has, of course....
 
JohnJSal said:
I've noticed that the price of Sprint data plans have all gone up $10. Does this mean they removed the separate $10 fee and included it in the price of the plans?

On my bill, I still have the plan listed as $69 (instead of $79) and the $10 fee is still listed separately. I'm guessing this might be because I signed up for the plan a few years ago, when it was still $69.

But my question is, would it be possible for me to call Sprint and ask them to remove the $10 fee, if they are no longer charging it separately? The reasoning would be that they dropped the fee and increased the price of their plans, but I am grandfathered in with the $69 plan.

But why should I continue to pay the $10 fee if it's been removed? Assuming it has, of course....
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No everything is the same. They have just wisely started advertising the plans with the 10.00 included so that people don't complain as much. You can always call them and ask them to remove the 10.00 fee but I wouldn't expect them to; But hell you never know until you ask right?. And it isn't a "4G fee" but that argument has already beaten the proverbial dead horse.
 
sikclown said:
No everything is the same. They have just wisely started advertising the plans with the 10.00 included so that people don't complain as much. You can always call them and ask them to remove the 10.00 fee but I wouldn't expect them to; But hell you never know until you ask right?. And it isn't a "4G fee" but that argument has already beaten the proverbial dead horse.
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I don't quite understand. So the prices of the plans *haven't* changed? From what I see on the website, it looks like they have gone up. Or are they still listed as a separate data plan fee and the $10 on the bill?

Edit: I understand that the prices "going up" is meant to include that $10 fee, but if the prices of the plans are actually $10 more now, and there is no separate fee, then I'm still thinking my argument makes sense. It's like they are charging me a fee that they are no longer charging (separately) to new customers.
 
JohnJSal said:
I don't quite understand. So the prices of the plans *haven't* changed? From what I see on the website, it looks like they have gone up. Or are they still listed as a separate data plan fee and the $10 on the bill?

Edit: I understand that the prices "going up" is meant to include that $10 fee, but if the prices of the plans are actually $10 more now, and there is no separate fee, then I'm still thinking my argument makes sense. It's like they are charging me a fee that they are no longer charging (separately) to new customers.
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Like I said, it never hurts to ask. The fee is just included now but probably still a line item on the bill. I think you would just be arguing semantics at this point but good luck. Let us know how it goes.
 
A call to sprint will confirm but as sik suggested, the data fee is still for smartphones. If you have an old flip phone, or a phone that is not 4G, you may not have the fee.

But regardless what sprint calls it, that fee is still around.

Example, when I pre-orderd the HTC One, I went through the motions of adding a new line. The ten dollar fee was automatically added with no way to remove it. I forget the actual jargon that described what it was, but you knew it was a monthly data fee.

So if plans are going up, and you have a smartphone or iPhone, expect to have the plan fee PLUS the ten dollar fee...
 
If you’re referring to the ten dollar data premium fee, I’m all too sure that it’s still there.

Traded up to a Nexus. Activated it and deactivated my Optimus. Got slapped with the charge. Didn’t like the Nexus, returned it and reactivated the Optimus. Despite about four arguments with them, the charge remains, forever. Or until I get off my arse and go to T-Mobile.
 
jefboyardee said:
Or until I get off my arse and go to T-Mobile.
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Yep, that's my next move in about a month or so, when the new phones come to T-Mobile. I'm going to try it for a month, and if reception and data connectivity is good, that's it for Sprint.

marctronixx said:
So if plans are going up, and you have a smartphone or iPhone, expect to have the plan fee PLUS the ten dollar fee...
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Hmm, well I'm not sure if the plans ARE going up now. When I look at the data plans on Sprint's website, the plan that used to be $69 is now $79, and the $99 plan is now $109, etc. I assume this is the $10 fee being built into the plan, but I don't know. Maybe the plan prices went up AND there is still a $10 fee on top of that. Not sure...
 
JohnJSal said:
Hmm, well I'm not sure if the plans ARE going up now. When I look at the data plans on Sprint's website, the plan that used to be $69 is now $79, and the $99 plan is now $109, etc. I assume this is the $10 fee being built into the plan, but I don't know. Maybe the plan prices went up AND there is still a $10 fee on top of that. Not sure...
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Yes that was what I as saying. The plans have not gone up. The 10.00 is now just built into their advertising. Rather than it being 69.99 plus a 10.00 premium charge it is now 79.99. Much cleaner and easier from a marketing stand point. They have a disclaimer underneath it saying "Price includes $10/mo./line Premium Data add-on charge.". Now if you go to Sprint and purchase a basic flip phone or dumb phone the plan says 69.99 because there is no 10.00 add on. So to summarize: Smartphone minimum plan (individual) is 79.99 which includes the 10.00 add on. Before it was just marketed as 69.99 plus a 10.00 add on bringing it to 79.99. There will be a test later ;)
 
sikclown said:
Yes that was what I as saying. The plans have not gone up. The 10.00 is now just built into their advertising. Rather than it being 69.99 plus a 10.00 premium charge it is now 79.99. Much cleaner and easier from a marketing stand point. They have a disclaimer underneath it saying "Price includes $10/mo./line Premium Data add-on charge.". Now if you go to Sprint and purchase a basic flip phone or dumb phone the plan says 69.99 because there is no 10.00 add on. So to summarize: Smartphone minimum plan (individual) is 79.99 which includes the 10.00 add on. Before it was just marketed as 69.99 plus a 10.00 add on bringing it to 79.99. There will be a test later ;)
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Dang it! If it weren't for that disclaimer, I'd feel like I have a good case to make. Now....well, T-Mobile is still looking good. :)
 
NYCHitman1 said:
Go with whatever provides better coverage for you where you are. If you do go the T-Mo route, at least you have the ability to buy unlocked and swap devices on a whim.
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Yes, I do like that option, although realistically I don't see myself constantly buying new phones! :) I just need to test the service first and I really hope the coverage is good in my area.
 
Remember the grass is always greener on the other side, I have had numerous carriers over the past upteen years, and as they all offer something different, you will always find something wrong with either reception, support, or internet connection. I remember for a year I really wanted to switch to TMobile because of price and unlimited minutes, I kept procrastinating, I then decide to sign up for a new line, not port my number and test it out first for 30 days, glad I did, as reception was fine in my area, but as soon as I took a small trip to the West coast for a few days, the whole trip to the West coast drive along alligator alley I had barely to no reception. Then once arrived on the West coast, I had issues in the main city, I quickly return the phone to TMobile on buyers remorse and said I am sticking with what I know.

My father In law changed carriers 3 times in one year, AT&T, Verizon and TMoble, and he had issues in one way or another with all 3, LOL so just keep that in mind, because it works good for one in a certain area, does not mean it will be good for another in their area. ;)



jefboyardee said:
If you
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As I mentioned above, TMobile offers Buyers remorse, so test and if you don't like their service return based on Buyers remorse. ;)

JohnJSal said:
Yes, I do like that option, although realistically I don't see myself constantly buying new phones! :) I just need to test the service first and I really hope the coverage is good in my area.
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DonB said:
Remember the grass is always greener on the other side, I have had numerous carriers over the past upteen years, and as they all offer something different, you will always find something wrong with either reception, support, or internet connection. I remember for a year I really wanted to switch to TMobile because of price and unlimited minutes, I kept procrastinating, I then decide to sign up for a new line, not port my number and test it out first for 30 days, glad I did, as reception was fine in my area, but as soon as I took a small trip to the West coast for a few days, the whole trip to the West coast drive along alligator alley I had barely to no reception. Then once arrived on the West coast, I had issues in the main city, I quickly return the phone to TMobile on buyers remorse and said I am sticking with what I know.

My father In law changed carriers 3 times in one year, AT&T, Verizon and TMoble, and he had issues in one way or another with all 3, LOL so just keep that in mind, because it works good for one in a certain area, does not mean it will be good for another in their area. ;)
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Yes, that's exactly what I plan to do. Not port my number right away, but test it first. I asked about a return period and they mentioned the buyer's remorse period (20 days), so that should be good.

I've never really tested Sprint much outside of my home city, so I won't really be able to compare T-Mobile to that if I do travel, but as long as it works here in Houston, I'll be happy.

One thing I can say for Sprint though is that I have almost no issues with voice calls. It's just a horrible, disastrous data connection! :)

Edit: .....he says as he tries to make a call and gets "The network is busy" errors.
 
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