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Sprint admits capped data is a bad thing!

IOWA

IOWA

Mr. Logic Pants
Back when Sprint joined other mobile carriers in issuing a 5 GB limit on its EVDO connection, I was among those who noted that it was disappointing that the company sold me an "unlimited" service, and then changed the terms on me unilaterally. It also changed the way I used my EVDO card, making it significantly less useful and valuable for me. I don't want to be thinking about how much data I'm using (and it was especially difficult without a detailed system of tracking how much data you were using). I remember once, while traveling, I accidentally left the EVDO connection running over night, and got worried that Sprint might cut me off. It's just not worth it, and I've actually been thinking about dumping Sprint once my contract is up.

Apparently, I wasn't alone in thinking this and Sprint has noticed. With its new WiMax network, it has stayed away from talking about any caps, and has now admitted that the reaction to the EVDO caps is part of the reason why. They're afraid that, just as they're trying to convince people to use the WiMax network, they'll get scared off by caps. The problem, of course, is that these mobile broadband providers are fighting against themselves on these things. They want to convince the world that these networks are useful -- and to do that, you have to show all the cool things that you can do with them. But, if they haven't really invested enough in the networks, they can actually run into some congestion problems, and so they can't encourage you to use them too much. Hopefully, the investment into WiMax (or, potentially moving on to LTE) will mean that such congestion problems are mostly a thing of the past, and that it's not worth implementing caps.

That said, Sprint's admission of how people responded to the EVDO caps should be a clear warning to ISPs that keep trying to implement broadband caps or metered broadband. Doing so imposes additional costs that you might not have considered, such as the mental transaction costs your users face in determining if it's even worth using your network. Of course, ISPs should know this already. We already have a detailed case study in that AOL only really took off after it switched from hourly billing to an unlimited flat-rate. Why some ISPs want to go back to make their product less valuable is beyond me.
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Sprint Realizing That Data Caps Turn Customers Off | Techdirt
 
Agreed, AT&T needs to realise this.. especially with the iPad/Smartphone plans, people are nooot happy. I work in data support and I get to hear ALL about it!
 
This seems like Sprint is just trying to look like the good guy for now. They will come around eventually. I am sure all companies understand people don't like caps on anything really but with not much competition they can really do as they wish and people just have to follow it.
 
VegasOnAcid said:
This seems like Sprint is just trying to look like the good guy for now. They will come around eventually. I am sure all companies understand people don't like caps on anything really but with not much competition they can really do as they wish and people just have to follow it.
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Or if they do have capped plans, always have a truly unlimited plan that doesn't cost an arm, leg, or your little sister.
 
IOWA said:
Or if they do have capped plans, always have a truly unlimited plan that doesn't cost an arm, leg, or your little sister.
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But that would be the un-evil thing to do. ATT data plans are pretty stupid.. esp the one for the ipad. Its essentially a little netbook and they cap out your data lol.. I don't really see how ATT is going to stay ahead of Sprint once they lose Apple exclusive rights.
 
This is why I don't plan to ever drop my at&t plan until I can get another uncapped plan. And yes, my plan on at&t is the unlimited plan from earlier this year - and I have tested it multiple times since my data usage has had many months above 5Gb.
 
the uncapped data plans for aircards are getting capped too.....
 
I'm so glad I have the original moto Droid on Verizon with u unlimited data. It totally eliminates the need for an internet card and I can tether all I want with no worries. Personally I think a cap on a data plan is just dumb on the carriers part.
 
Yes but isnt there so much space in the network that can be used at one time? I thought that was the reason for capping the data plans.
Im new here btw, first post.. i like this place.
 
I'm sure they have enough room for everyone to use all the data they want but IMO they put a cap on it and charge u extra if u go over because its a way to make extra money. But anyways, Welcome to the Android Forums! This is an awesome place with awesome people.
 
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