Sprint makes Premium Data changes from Jan 30, 2011

[jen8112]

Sprint could have avoided most of use getting upset and possibly bailing if they had just made this $10 fee for contract extensions and new customers only. The reason most people feel this way is because if you activate a smartphone at all you will get this charge. That part is bull!

 

[batgeek]

if you don't like it...leave. it's pretty freakin' simple.

 

[dbpaddler]

If you don't want to take part in a forum with back and forth conversation, debating both sides and expressing opinions, then shut your pie hole. Plain and simple.

if you don't like it...leave. it's pretty freakin' simple.

And in the case of a company that is losing subscribers much faster than it can gain them, to give people even more reason to start comparing carriers, plans, service and such probably isn't a good idea. Will they still be the better deal? Probably. Will it be the slam dunk it used to be? No, and if things are close, more people might find less reason to go to Sprint. But then again, they had the best deals going by and far and they still can't stop the bleeding. They've been luck to just slow it down. Their marketing is the weakest of the four major carriers. The Palm Pre and Evo would've been a hit (or more of one in case of the Evo) had verizon marketed it. Heck, LTE is already better marketed than Wimax ever was.

 

[batgeek]

and you are? there is not much to debate, and i stated my opinion, if that wasn't acceptable for you...well then....that's your problem, not mine.

 

[dbpaddler]

I pretty much did. and you stated it's cut and dry, and I said it's not. If you don't like something, you just don't pack it in. That's as dumb as people switching carriers just for a phone. You express your opinion, you write dan @ sprint. complain to customer service. In case of my business account (that's still small potatoes compared to some), you voice your displeasure to your rep and mention that the plans are no longer as competitive, and unless you do something about it, we'll be looking at what the other carriers are offering, namely Verizon. I'm sure they wouldn't mind the extra $3k/mo. But because I can take advantage of the plans right now and manipulate contracts to last another two years. Then we'll see how the market shakes out then. I'm sure it'll be quite different then.

 

[batgeek]

i agree switching for a phone is dumb, but switching because you are not satisfied with a service....not dumb.

sure, tell the company you are not satisfied and that you may leave. i highly doubt they will change their business model.

as you stated, Sprint easily had the best price/service and was still losing subscribers.

 

[dbpaddler]

but what are you not satisfied with? Just the fact they upped the pricing? So just leave and do what? Still pay more elsewhere just on principal? If you leave for that reason, is it worth it to end up paying a few hundred more a year? That's why I said it'll cause more people to seriously look elsewhere. Instead of just being complacent with Sprint, the new changes will have me put the feelers out to see what Verizon has to offer. Can't stand the phone selection of AT&T, and T-mobile just isn't that strong for the areas our company is in. Though, as I mentioned above, you lock in your contracts by January 29th, and then ride out the two years and reevaluate. And since the phone and service are separate, I think you can renew your 2yr service and then sit on your phone choice until the end of March when we'll hopefully have some more choices beyond the three 4g phones we have now. I have to run that by my rep, because I think that's possible. Was always told the two were separate, but since they're more inclined to screw customers now, they might revise the rules in their favor.

 

[batgeek]

Just the fact they upped the pricing?

it seems so for some of these people.

Still pay more elsewhere just on principal?

sure, if you are a person that stands for their principles.

If you leave for that reason, is it worth it to end up paying a few hundred more a year?

sure, if they feel that strongly about it.

That's why I said it'll cause more people to seriously look elsewhere. Instead of just being complacent with Sprint, the new changes will have me put the feelers out to see what Verizon has to offer.

and if you feel they suit you better, jump ship...

 

[CriticalCritic]

It is simple economics, They need more money to expand and grow..

Its funny guys want the new phones, the new tablets, improve 3g service and the 4g services..

But don't want the company to charge more to expand these services..

How prey tell do they continue to expand and innovate with out making money?

They are about to spend 5-7 billion to expand and improve coverage.

You answered your own question there. You make the money through expanding service and keeping comparatively lower prices. These two components lead to an increase in market share, which means more money, more profit.

As far as I am concerned, I can support them if the price increases / bonus eliminations are in response to inflation.

However, I can honestly say that there is likely a disparity between the projected profit increases from eliminating perks, vs the profits from increased market share as a result of keeping those perks (in favor of the former). So it is likely, IMO, to be a better business decision to eliminate the perks... but damn it, I don't like it.

 

[dbpaddler]

I'd rather milk and work the system for what I can and revisit when the contracts are up. May be great and wonderful to adhere to principals, but paying more for service isn't going to make my company any money and just goes against the bottom line. If you have enough disposable income that you'd rather pay someone more money because of principal go for it. I'd rather throw the $300 in an IRA and let it work for me instead.

If I buy four Shifts for $150 each, sell them for $400 each and buy four BB's for $100 each(activating them on the renewed contract lines), then I just made $600 and saved the company $960 over the next two years. That's a net savings of $1560. Or, I guess I could adhere to some sort of misguided principals that would cost the company about an extra $1000 over the course of the next two years. And even if I sold the Shifts for $300, that's still $1160 overall.

Not everyone is in a position to work the dates of these changes and benefit from them, but if you can, you might as well. Non 4g premium phones will probably disappear with this pricing change, and if they don't, Sprint will have a lot of leftover stock unless they manage to entice the stupid. And god knows there are plenty of them. For the rest of us who possess greater than a 5th grade education, there is zero reason to buy a non 3g smartphone after April Fool's day unless they have to have a blackberry.

Here's a kicker. HTC's WP7 phone coming to Sprint is a 3g only phone I believe (from what I've read). With 4g areas growing and growing, who in their right mind would drop a premium on a non 4g smartphone? Granted you'll have the non 4g people, but the numbers will be in the major metro areas where they'll have 4g, and I'm sure those people would rather take advantage of 4g than have wp7 on 3g. You might even have a new webOS phone by then (though I heard no mention of wimax and a lot of LTE out of HP's mouth as of late). If I'm in a 4g area and paying the premium, the service is winning out over the phone.

What do you think the odds are of having a couple more 4g phones available by 4/1?

it seems so for some of these people.

sure, if you are a person that stands for their principles.

sure, if they feel that strongly about it.

and if you feel they suit you better, jump ship...

 

[jen8112]

Don't know if this was posted but explained a lot for me:

Plans: What's there to know about the $10 Smartphone Premium Data Add-on?

 

[eieio]

Verizon tweaking low-end data plans, using '3G' distinction to upcharge for LTE


Verizon tweaking low-end data plans, using '3G' distinction to upcharge for LTE -- Engadget

 

[MissJennell]

Wow. People piss and moan a whole heck of a lot. If you don't like the changes then do something about it. There is always choices. You might not like them all but pick the choice that works best for you. For me Sprint is the best network. The only other cell provider where I live is VZW. And even with the $10 fee on all lines on my contract I am saving over $100 a month and getting the exact same reception. It doesn't take a math genius to figure out that Sprint is the best for me for where I live and travel. If Sprint isn't what you want or it isn't the best option for you then switch to whatever company is. If $10 is going to break the bank for you then maybe you shouldn't have a smartphone to begin with. People seem to be getting their panties in a wad over something they have control over. That just seems crazy. A better way to handle the situation would be to sit down and rationally figure out what your options are and then pick what works best for you. Seems pretty simple to me. But common sense I guess isn't something a lot of people seem to use now a days.

 

[jen8112]

Wow. People piss and moan a whole heck of a lot. If you don't like the changes then do something about it. There is always choices. You might not like them all but pick the choice that works best for you. For me Sprint is the best network. The only other cell provider where I live is VZW. And even with the $10 fee on all lines on my contract I am saving over $100 a month and getting the exact same reception. It doesn't take a math genious to figure out that Sprint is the best for me for where I live and travel. If Sprint isn't what you want or it isn't the best option for you then switch to whatever company is. If $10 is going to break the bank for you then maybe you shouldn't have a smartphone to begin with. People seem to be getting their panties in a wad over something they have control over. That just seems crazy. A better way to handle the situation would be to sit down and rationally figure out what your options are and then pick what works best for you. Seems pretty simple to me. But common sense I guess isn't something a lot of people seem to use now a days.

I'm complaining because when does it stop? With all the carriers! All the prices are getting ridiculous! I have sat down and I'm 99% sure I'm switching to Boost, it would save me at least $60 a month over Sprint. I'm just waiting for the Feb 7th announcement and if it's less than fabulous I'm paying the ETF's to switch.

 

[MissJennell]

I'm complaining because when does it stop? With all the carriers! All the prices are getting ridiculous! I have sat down and I'm 99% sure I'm switching to Boost, it would save me at least $60 a month over Sprint. I'm just waiting for the Feb 7th announcement and if it's less than fabulous I'm paying the ETF's to switch.

It's capitalism. They don't have you hog tied. You don't have to stay with Sprint. If Boost is the best option for you then you should be on Boost. Very simple.

 

[jen8112]

It's capitalism. They don't have you hog tied. You don't have to stay with Sprint. If Boost is the best option for you then you should be on Boost. Very simple.

Umm...that's what I said.

 

[MissJennell]

Umm...that's what I said.

You also complained. A lot. Complaining gets you nowhere. But sitting down like an adult and figuring out your options and what one works best for you is a better way of handling things. Especially something as minimal as $10.

 

[IOWA]

It's capitalism. They don't have you hog tied. You don't have to stay with Sprint. If Boost is the best option for you then you should be on Boost. Very simple.

It's not capatilism when all the carriers sit in a back room and determine they are all going to raise prices within 2 days of each other, while killing off upgrades, and madating more "mandatory" charges for owning a phone.

Seriously? Do you think it's just coincidence? I think it's bs *any* kind of plan is required for any hardware.

 

[MissJennell]

It's not capatilism when all the carriers sit in a back room and determine they are all going to raise prices within 2 days of each other, while killing off upgrades, and madating more "mandatory" charges for owning a phone.

Seriously? Do you think it's just coincidence? I think it's bs *any* kind of plan is required for any hardware.

There is an option for you too. Don't have a cell phone....

 

[IOWA]

There is an option for you too. Don't have a cell phone....

Lmao....

Really? That's the best you can come up with?

 

[MissJennell]

Lmao....

Really? That's the best you can come up with?

If you don't like any of the cell providers then why have them? As an adult I usually sit down and figure out my options and then figure out the best one for me. Maybe you should try it. It does work really well. But you do have to use common sense.

 

[IOWA]

If you don't like any of the cell providers then why have them? As an adult I usually sit down and figure out my options and then figure out the best one for me. Maybe you should try it. It does work really well. But you do have to use common sense.

Lol don't talk to me about common sense. Seriously.

Suggesting to someone that a solution to a very real (and possibly illegal//unconstitutional?) problem is disconnecting yourself to the world ( and thus disconnecting myself from my business's ) is hardly a well thought out, common sensical, adult solution.

So thank you, but no thank you. I don't like your brand of 'common sense'

-IOWA

 

[MissJennell]

Lol don't talk to me about common sense. Seriously.

Suggesting to someone that a solution to a very real (and possibly illegal//unconstitutional?) problem is disconnecting yourself to the world ( and thus disconnecting myself from my business's ) is hardly a well thought out, common sensical, adult solution.

So thank you, but no thank you. I don't like your brand of 'common sense'

-IOWA

I didn't know there was 'brands' of common sense. With cell providers you have to pick the lesser of evils that works for you. For me that is Sprint. For you that may be another provider. They all do the same thing. They are all about the all mighty dollar. The best thing to do is weigh out your options and do what works best for you.

 

[dan330]

It's not capatilism when all the carriers sit in a back room and determine they are all going to raise prices within 2 days of each other, while killing off upgrades, and madating more "mandatory" charges for owning a phone.

Seriously? Do you think it's just coincidence? I think it's bs *any* kind of plan is required for any hardware.

here is the thing....this is just my speculation (you been warned)

if the rumors are true.. about the iphone coming to both Verizon and Sprint. And we know that Apple has made ATT do a lot of things so that apple can get more $$ from the carriers. Verizon and Sprint are both make similar changes.. because apple is making the same demands on both. Upgrades; so that they can keep their value longer. Require more payback from carriers, so carriers need to raise the service fees.

so.. my theory.. is that apple is causing the top 3 carriers too make similar moves/changes.

 

[IOWA]

I didn't know there was 'brands' of common sense. With cell providers you have to pick the lesser of evils that works for you. For me that is Sprint. For you that may be another provider. They all do the same thing. They are all about the all mighty dollar. The best thing to do is weigh out your options and do what works best for you.

Settling & caving in to large corporations are whats ruining this country. Seriously. Don't people have a backbone anymore to stand up for themselves?

Kind of like when someone is getting beat up and nobody does a damn thing about it. Disgusting spineless cowards.

But hey, that's the 'Obama' way.

Well, enough politics for now. I have to get some sleep, and we are just going in circles.

Hopefully you'll learn someday that standing up for the greater good, and for yourself more importantly, is a good thing.\

Good night.

-IOWA