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$10 Premium Data Fee?
- Thread starter edlex
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- htc evo 4g
edlex
Android Expert
I am sure if you told the rep. that you wanted to cancel because of the $10 increase to the point where she transfered you to account services, maintaining your cool the whole time, you could get a $10 credit for the next 24 months from the account services/cancellation department.
I agree, but I'm not the type to make idle threats to get what I want. Like I've said before I've been with sprint for 13 years so I'm not leaving, it's more of a justification thing. I do alot of surfing from my pre and don't pay extra, just give me a real answer. I know, alot to ask from corporate america.
Wrxdrunkie
Member
Its not an idle threat, you have to be ready to leave and serious. If you aren't prepared to leave then your right, can't really help ya.
champ051005
Newbie
Some don't like the add on fee because of the financial aspects.
Some don't like the add on fee because of the principle aspects, not because they can't afford it.
Do I like the fees? Hell no! Am I going to get the Evo, hell yes! lol
I'm going to be completely honest here, I may take some crap from others but I don't care:
Sprint justified the add on fee for a richer experience. Am I right?
Well, our Everything data plans that we have right now have a 5GB cap. But these were supposed to be unlimited data plans weren't they? (Honestly, I don't even care if they are capped, I don't use 5GB of data.)
Now, if I am using the Evo right now, and if I use 4.5GB of data, compared to me using 4.5GB of data on my TP2, why should I have to pay $10 a month extra?
Sprint is basing these fees on how much GB of data you use. But data is data isn't it? Data cannot be premium on one phone, and not be considered premium on the other phone. Since it is essentially the same data!
I could see Sprint charging the $10 add on fee if users go over the 5GB per month, but if you really look at the consumer market, all of us on the forums are the vast minority. Average users don't even know what tethering is. Average users will not go over 4GB of data, even with the bigger screen of the Evo.
If Sprint came out with the unlimited data plans with the 5GB cap, then Sprint thought the users should be fine with that cap. They thought that 5GB would be unreachable to most customers (outside the forum users). It seems to me that Sprint acknowledged the minority of users going over the 5GB cap, and is using those statistics to apply to the majority of users.
I can see why people are angered or why people will not buy the phone.
I would have loved it if Sprint capped 5GB per month with no fee. And charge $10 per month if you go over 5GB.
But when it comes down to it personally, am I going to still buy it, yes. I'm not in a 4G area either.
Just my two cents.
Some don't like the add on fee because of the principle aspects, not because they can't afford it.
Do I like the fees? Hell no! Am I going to get the Evo, hell yes! lol
I'm going to be completely honest here, I may take some crap from others but I don't care:
Sprint justified the add on fee for a richer experience. Am I right?
Well, our Everything data plans that we have right now have a 5GB cap. But these were supposed to be unlimited data plans weren't they? (Honestly, I don't even care if they are capped, I don't use 5GB of data.)
Now, if I am using the Evo right now, and if I use 4.5GB of data, compared to me using 4.5GB of data on my TP2, why should I have to pay $10 a month extra?
Sprint is basing these fees on how much GB of data you use. But data is data isn't it? Data cannot be premium on one phone, and not be considered premium on the other phone. Since it is essentially the same data!
I could see Sprint charging the $10 add on fee if users go over the 5GB per month, but if you really look at the consumer market, all of us on the forums are the vast minority. Average users don't even know what tethering is. Average users will not go over 4GB of data, even with the bigger screen of the Evo.
If Sprint came out with the unlimited data plans with the 5GB cap, then Sprint thought the users should be fine with that cap. They thought that 5GB would be unreachable to most customers (outside the forum users). It seems to me that Sprint acknowledged the minority of users going over the 5GB cap, and is using those statistics to apply to the majority of users.
I can see why people are angered or why people will not buy the phone.
I would have loved it if Sprint capped 5GB per month with no fee. And charge $10 per month if you go over 5GB.
But when it comes down to it personally, am I going to still buy it, yes. I'm not in a 4G area either.
Just my two cents.
faerysteel
Lurker
I'm curious because I've only seen it on forums, but where is it stated that the $10/month removes the 5gb cap?
I live in a 4g area, and don't come anywhere close to 5gb now, but with that phone I know I will go over every month. I'm happily paying extra to have the phone, because I think its worth far more than the (full price) $450. I honestly expected something closer to $700.
I live in a 4g area, and don't come anywhere close to 5gb now, but with that phone I know I will go over every month. I'm happily paying extra to have the phone, because I think its worth far more than the (full price) $450. I honestly expected something closer to $700.
You can choose to look at the extra $10 as a tether option. As existing Sprint plans are, with the Overdrive or 301, you have the 5GB limit on 3G. With the EVO, you don't have that limit. You can tether till you're hearts content on 3G w/the EVO... Unlimited. For $10 you can get unlimited internet on ANYTHING you connect the EVO to. Not a bad deal considering the $30 or so AT&T charges. If you're in a 4G area, no brainer. Well worth the $$$
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
snapbox
Member
There are 4G towers already popping up in South Florida.. numerous towers in Broward and Dade. Not sure yet if they're live (though I'd be willing to guess that they are), and coverage has got to be spotty at best.
Maybe you'll get lucky? There's 3 4G enabled towers right around where I live in Central Broward, and I'm hoping I'll get service at home.
Remember, just because they haven't OFFICIALLY rolled it out, doesn't mean that they haven't gone live yet.
Maybe you'll get lucky? There's 3 4G enabled towers right around where I live in Central Broward, and I'm hoping I'll get service at home.
Remember, just because they haven't OFFICIALLY rolled it out, doesn't mean that they haven't gone live yet.
I am sure if you told the rep. that you wanted to cancel because of the $10 increase to the point where she transfered you to account services, maintaining your cool the whole time, you could get a $10 credit for the next 24 months from the account services/cancellation department.
They're not going to buy into that. They're not going to buy the fact that you're going to cancel your service because they charge extra for a phone that you're not REQUIRED to buy. When someone purchases an Evo, they'll know straight up front the charges associated with it.
Well I talked to sprint today to ask about this $10 fee that I heard about on cnet regarding the evo and yes, there is an additional monthly fee associated to adding the phone. She said they didn't tell her exactly why but when I asked if it was for 4G access she said probably. So I told her there isn't any 4G service in Miami she said we would have to pay it anyway. So, unfortunately, I'm canceling my pre order until Miami gets 4G service. I really can't justify paying $120 a year just to play with a new phone.
I was told by Sprint that this fee also includes tethering. Most other carriers charge $30 for tethering. I use a Sprint USB air card for my laptop right now that costs me an additional $65 a month. Now I should be able to ditch that because i will be able to do the same thing with the EVO for just $10.
Me Im happy to pay the $10
drksilenc
Android Enthusiast
Ok, so Sprint should refund people the $10 each month if they do not use 4G or go over the 5gb limitPoint is, most Sprint customers do not have the luxury of even having 3G always, so most people will not get near 5gb. If using wifi, it will not matter anyways.
Tmo and Sprint have similar 3G footprints. Then again, ALL Android devices for the other carriers must have $30 monthly data plans. How much is Sprint's without the $10 charge? If equal to or less than $30, there is really no problem and Sprint is just joining the competition.
That said, it places them closer to VZW price range, which has a much better 3G coverage map for most people.
um what are u smoking sprint has a larger 3g footprint than at&t
jamor
Android Expert
I guess I'd be angry too if they charged me when it is only in select cities of which can only be partially covered right now.
I think they didn't wait to charge for WiMax because they would have had to grandfather a plethora of users if they waited.
If they did it by address, then people could find loop holes.
Plus Sprint it bleeding so they don't really have a choice. It will be interesting to see how many towers they actually create for WiMax - especially since the Sprint CEO just released a statement that they are already preparing to switch to LTE.
Sprint CEO Thinks LTE 4G Will Be Bigger Than Sprint's WiMax Network
I think they didn't wait to charge for WiMax because they would have had to grandfather a plethora of users if they waited.
If they did it by address, then people could find loop holes.
Plus Sprint it bleeding so they don't really have a choice. It will be interesting to see how many towers they actually create for WiMax - especially since the Sprint CEO just released a statement that they are already preparing to switch to LTE.
Sprint CEO Thinks LTE 4G Will Be Bigger Than Sprint's WiMax Network
Wimax will be built out more extensively and be around for a long, long time because it's part of the infrastructure/backbone for more than just wireless carriers. Sprint's going to play both sides because it's investment in Clearwire was built to allow it to take advantage of the speed/early deployment of Wimax.
If it's possible to put yet another radio in devices (LTE/Wimax/CDMA combos), then that will happen too, and Sprint will probably be the only carrier doing it. CDMA's going to be around for a while too because not everyone's going to move to next-gen smartphones.
LTE has potential to be bigger because it's transmitters do have a broader reach than Wimax towers. But LTE is so expensive to develop and deploy that I think we'll see multiple carrier alliance to get it done. I just don't think they're going to be able to come up with the money to do it individually. They'll still divvy up bandwith, but the build-out will depend on cooperation going forward.
And, I agree that Wimax will handle some of the data traffic from LTE because LTE is going to need some way to parse traffic since there will be far fewer towers than either Wimax or CDMA serve individually now.
So in the end, I think Sprint's position is exactly what it should be. Bet early and get Wimax out. Live off being the first and widest deployed for the next 2-3 years, and then be able to have LTE/Wimax/CDMA devices (that theoretically should exist aplenty by then) that pick signal based on speed and strength and put the user in the position to have the best, fastest service possible.
I hope Sprint succeeds. On paper the plan is good so it's all about execution.
jamor
Android Expert
That's a good point. Theoretically WiMax and LTE could have an 80% overlap. I don't really understand why it could only be as much as 80% opposed 100% however.
SprintFun
Android Expert
The part you fail to understand is that both technologies can co-exist, and WiMax can be used to backhaul LTE which is exponentially more costly to install. I encourage you to read some of RiverOfIce's post - she is probably our most knowledgable poster concerning 4G/WiMax/LTE, etc.
It will start out closer to 100% overlap because they're trying to reach many of the same markets and maintain the claims of most access. The % will adjust down as they find the limits of LTE's range. You will not see LTE towers in the middle of nowhere though because of the cost. That's where Wimax will continue to thrive. That's also the sweetspot for cable companies using Wimax for remote deployment.
I also think you'll see the high overlap until both techs are much more stable. The carriers need more cooperation and joint agreements to expand both LTE and Wimax. I don't think it would play out well for any of them this time next year to say on VZW you have coverage near major metros. On Sprint some major metros and quite a few mid-country locations. On ATT and Tmo ... well, it's coming but for now enjoy your iPhones and WPS phones on HSPA+
edlex
Android Expert
I was told by Sprint that this fee also includes tethering. Most other carriers charge $30 for tethering. I use a Sprint USB air card for my laptop right now that costs me an additional $65 a month. Now I should be able to ditch that because i will be able to do the same thing with the EVO for just $10.
That's not correct. The sprint rep made it clear that the $10 monthly fee had nothing to do with the $30 mobile hotspot service for the evo. Sorry bro.
jamor
Android Expert
"Another piece of news we'd heard but are ecstatic to see confirmed: Froyo lets you turn your phone into a hotspot—including for your Wi-Fi iPad, if you're so inclined."
Apparently every phone that goes to Froyo will be able to tether. But I agree with edlex - I don't think this would EVER go without a fee.
Apparently every phone that goes to Froyo will be able to tether. But I agree with edlex - I don't think this would EVER go without a fee.
Wrxdrunkie
Member
This is my plan, I'm happy to hear that it worked for someone.