Sprint wants $29.99 to tether your phone over 4G. Considering 3G tethering is free, and Clearwire wants the same $30/month for no-contract 4G, things aren’t adding up here.
Read more to see why Sprint is doing this, and why you shouldn’t buy into it for now.
Sprint & Clear: Manager & Co-manager
Look it doesn’t take a genius to know that every organization thrives when it has two leaders. [shakes head] Go ahead, name a country that doesn’t have two presidents. A boat that sets sail without two captains. Where would Catholicism be, without the popes. – Oscar, The Office
Clear’s relationship with Sprint is painfully complex. Sprint has basically sold off part of their 4G network to gain an infusion of cash from Motorola, Intel, Google, and the cable operators. Clearwire was the vehicle for this transition, as already having an upgradable 4G footprint.
Unfortunately, this makes pricing between Sprint and Clearwire an utter nightmare. In the past year alone, Sprint has been selling to business customers WiMAX-only same service, for the same price, but with a two year contract attached. Faced with Clearwire’s contract-free standpoint, few are biting on those type of terms.
The problem here is that Sprint can’t undercut Clearwire’s price-points for Clear service. They can only throw in 3G service and tout a more complete solution. Essentially, Sprint is undercutting their 3G service to add 4G contracts.
So, when Sprint announced yesterday that you would have to pay $109.98 per month to get an EVO 4G with tethering… it was a disappointing un-surprise. Sprint is unwilling to give away 3G services in order to lock in 4G contracts. Even, when faced with Verizon Wireless happily giving away 3G mobile hotspot service (on the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus). Indications are they will extend that to select Android devices as well.
One charge at a time…
But, just for fun, let’s break down these two charges so you’ll at least understand each of them.
First, the mandatory $10 4G service fee. This is typical for Sprint to do, they did the same when EV-DO service launched with Power Vision Packs. And, in terms of pricing, it’s actually pretty reasonable. 4G phones are not going to use as much data on average as 4G laptops or MIDs… barring the extremes (yes, I’m looking at you reading this article… odds are, you’re in that extreme group if you’re reading this).
The $29.99 tethering fee is a bit different however. Sprint fears that EVO 4G owners will drop mobile broadband cards. What they don’t realize, or are turning a blind eye to, is that consumers buying EVO 4G wouldn’t typically pay for the tethering service to begin with. And, they’re highly unlikely to be burning $840 per year on an aircard.
3G tethering on Android is free, on the Android Market no less, with apps like PdaNet. And, even if Google hadn’t done an about-face and returned those apps to the Android Market, Android is open. That’s why being open matters.
I’m not going to beat a dead horse here. Here’s what I suggest you do.
Don’t buy an EVO 4G. Instead, pick up a Clear Spot and sign up for 4G service at $29.99 per month. Then, go get a Samsung Moment or HTC Hero and pay a one-time $19 fee for PdaNet for Android.
The result? No, you won’t have HDMI. You won’t have YouTube HD (though we’re sure “an app for that” will come along). And you’ll have a screen that’s slightly smaller. But, you’ll be smiling. Because you’ll have an extra $200 in your wallet at the end of your contract.
Would you buy an EVO 4G if it was $199 + $200 = $399? Sound off in the comments.
@ Don Louie
The Evo requires you to add the $10 fee on your line. Adding that fee is what requires the contract, according to the reps I spoke with.
Add ons never extend contracts, ever since the “Worry Free Guarantee”
@ Don Louie
This isn’t a regular add on, this is a requirement of the Evo.
You may very well not need to sign a contract for it, I’m just saying I have talked to at least 15-20 Sprint reps over the last couple days and every single one of them said you need to agree to a 2 year deal in order to get the Evo plan added to your account. Now we all know Sprint reps are notorious for being wrong, so it’s possible they were all wrong about that. But as of right now, that is what Sprint is saying.
Add on or plan changes with sprint will NEVER renew your contract. The only time your contract will renew is if you get a phone from them at the discounted price. If you only pay the 199.99 for the evo that is taking advantage of their subsidized pricing which will require a 2 year contract renewal. If you buy the evo for the full price and just add it to your current everything plan and add on the $10/month charge your contract will not renew.
I am a Sprint Premiere customer and can get a new phone every year. 4G is not yet available in my area, so I am going to roll with the BlackBerry Bold and wait until the service is perfected in my area. The EVO looks like an amazing phone, but hopefully in a year they will have a device that will include a slide out keyboard as well.
“@ dt
So you’re saying those of us that already have smartphones should downgrade to dumbphones if we ever want a new phone? If I already have a smartphone, why shouldn’t I be able to replace it with another one without raising my bill? I’m not in a 4G area so why should my bill change at all?”
Believe it or not the EVO is the only phone that requires the additional 10 dollars. You still have Blackberry, Windows, Palm that do not require this. Also Verizon, ATT, Tmobile and cricket have various options. Going to the EVO and paying the additional 10 is entirely your choice.
@ dt
I’m aware there are a bunch of older smartphones that don’t require the $10. Again, if I ever get a new smartphone, why should my bill change at all? I have the best smartphone Sprint offers right now, on an Everything plan. If I ever get a new phone, I either have to downgrade or pay more? even though my actual service is not going to change? And you are actually trying to justify this? Typical Sprint morons. And you suggest I get service elsewhere instead? LOL, that’s why Sprint is losing tons of customers and tons of money every quarter. Keep it up, and eventually you’ll be out of a job.
Sprint has a phone that is SLIGHTLY better than the competition. T-Mobile has the HD2 and NExus One, which both compete with the Evo. Verizon has Incredible which competes. AT&T has the iPhone.
If you think existing Sprint customers are going to accept a $40 or $50 increase in their bill without providing any additional services, and in fact REMOVING the NFL Mobile, then that perfectly demonstrates why Sprint is on the verge of going under.
Wait til AT&T announces the new iPhone, T-Mobile announces the Samsung Galaxy S and their new Sidekick (which is really an HTC Android superphone) and Verizon announces an iPhone. Then we’ll see if Sprint execs are still daring their existing customers to try the competition.
I understand Sprint has Wimax in about 20 or 30 cities. But T-Mobile and AT&T will both have HSPA+ network wide by the end of the year, and Verizon already has LTE up and running in Boston.
F1,
Well i do seem educated in the wireless business, My business relies heavily on wireless communication therefor I explore all options that are offered. And i ovbiously frequent this and other cellphone news sites as i posted. Sprint is always so eager to help and most likly becuase i would be moving over 31 lines, but they had the professionism to tell me I wouldnt have had service in my office and didn’t try to lie just to make a sale. Verizon However, told me that Sprint is making up 4G and its the same speed as 3G and it is only available in Baltimore. I don’t like being lied to, But Verizon is so big that they follow their own rules.
Again, Its all business, you have many choices to choose from, from multiple carriers, you don’t like what Sprint is doing then don’t use them, i just admire everything they have pulled off in the last couple years.
Why would I be out of a job because of what Sprint does??
Either way I’m not saying I agree to the 10 or not, but Sprint and other companys never force you to do anything its a free market with competition their is always options.
You say you have the best smart phone now, but what is it I personally think the Blackberry is the best, but I know people who think the Touch Pro 2 is the best and other think Hero is the best.
Regardless every carrier charges for Data/Text/7pm and no one seems to care about this to much. But paying 10 bucks for something thats 3-10x faster than 3g is all of a sudden crazy.
Like I said before if you can’t afford it, don’t get it
@ dt
I have the Touch Pro 2 now. It’s made by the same company that makes the Evo. The logical upgrade path for me is the new HTC phone. Any other phone on Sprint’s lineup is a downgrade. My Touch Pro 2 does everything the Evo does, just not as ast because it’s a year older. The exception is it doesn’t have 4G, and I don;t have 4G in my area yet anyway.
As for your ridiculous claims about the cost and speed, T-Mobile HSPA+ is faster than Sprint’s Wimax, has a larger coverage area, and they don’t charge you any extra to use it.
Sprint daring their existing customers to go to the competition could prove to be a fatal mistake.
Aaaaahhhh SaltyDawg….
your touch pro 2 isn’t going to support video chat and something else, but i can’t remember what the hell that is right now.
Sawlty, HD2, Android Sidekick and iphone has an undepowered smaller network that isn’t performing close to those projected speeds while the N1 is not so nice anymore. You keep saying the added cost are $40 – $50, thats only if every line gets an Evo but discounting the fact that even in the unlikely event a 5 line plan gets all Evos it will still be cheaper than all but T Mobile’s no contract plans. I was happy they didn’t pull a vzw and put a small cap on the required add on. On a side note they didn’t get rif of NFL Mobile, vzw outbid them for exclusive rights. I have an Everything fam plan and am in 3G only but unlike you and F1 don’t feel I’m entitled anything because of it. The way Sprint gives out discounts you can almost bet they will give some type of credit to non 4G markets. Why don’t you wait til it gets here before raking Sprint over the coals?
@SaltyDawg, please provide proof where T-Mo’s HSPA+ implementation is faster than WiMax in real life. Again, we’re not talking about the theoretical speed or lab tests.
@Pat, I’m ok with this site’s negative feedback or commentaries on Sprint, as long as the arguments make sense. I’m saying it because it does look like Sprint is paying attention.
Not this post, however, as Chris has still yet to respond to Carlos’s question: how the EVO + plan and tethering option be compared with the Clear’s $30 plan + a regular Sprint evevrything plan + any android on (1)speed, (2)number of devices connected simultaneously with 1 single subscription; (3)device features and user experience with higher connection speed.
Maybe SaltyDawg can help answering?
Comparing a TP2 to an Evo is bordering on comical. You need to prove AT&T and T Mobile are consistently faster because I read a review of all the networks and it says both the GSM carriers are barely faster than current 3G and if it is bigger than 4G it’s marginal now. It’s pretty much guaranteed LTE will have a smaller network that will assusedly cost way more than the $10 that makes you want to leave and won’t be unlimited either.
@ Jesse
I have been using Qik for several years now, and use it all the time on my Touch Pro 2.
@ Don Louie
T-Mobile has more HSPA+ coverage than Sprint has Wimax, and T-Mobile’s HSPA+ is faster than Sprint’s Wimax. So don’t call it an undersized and underpowered network unless you are willing to call Sprint’s even worse.
@ BJ
You want proof? Here you go:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2359139,00.asp
@ Don Louie
You saying I compared a TP@ to an Evo is pretty comical. Can you read? I said the Evo is the logical upgrade to a TP2, and any other phone on Sprint’s lineup would be a downgrade for me.
So, again, Sprint is saying that if I want to ever change phones, either I downgrade or I pay an extra $40 per month.
@ Salty,
Really, there’s a video chat for your phone, well then I bow down, you are the shit, and you’re awesome
My question for everyone else reading this blog is…. I know there are a lot of hackers out there and they find ways around things,
don’t you think that there will be a work around for the tethering option on the EVO, so that customers of the EVO can get the tethering for free, there have been work arounds before that’ve been awesome, unfortunately I own an original Instinct and there was a work around for it.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!
I hope the other people on this comment thread reply to this comment
Jesse
Sawlty, did you even read that article? There is nothing saying real world speeds are faster, thoeretical yes, real world no. Sprint offers the Moment, Hero and Pre which all do more than the TP2 but I guess the screen size makes it a downgrade to you. Check out phonearenas more recent comparison of the networks, it’s a lot more clearer than pc worlds and isn’t downgrading WiMax for missing launches. 3 – 8 mbps is a long way from the 21 claimed and provide a link that says T Mobile/AT&T’s + networks have more coverage than WiMax. The reason neither of those carriers is charging more for the + is because even though theoretical speeds are higher they are rarely reached with real world being slightly better than DOrA.
Sawlty can you explain the $40, or did you really think hotspot would be free? I see that and the $50 upcharge but where the number comes from escapes me.
@ Don Louie
Did YOU even read the article? LOL, they are not talking about theoretical speeds. The guy had a Sprint 4G mobile broadband card, and a T-Mobile HSPA+ mobile broadband card. He ran a bunch of speed tests on one, took it out, and ran a bunch of speed tests on the other. The HSPA+ had a faster average download, faster average upload, faster peak download, and faster peak upload.
Here’s another real world test, this time a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRlx3bsp0ho
here’s a video of the T-Mobile HD2 doing a speed test right next to an Evo at the Spritn Evo launch party in New York:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTenf-sa9Lw
So save all your BS. Every single real world comparison we have shows the HSPA+ to be faster. The only theoretical faster speed being discussed is something Sprint can upgrade their Wimax to in the future. Right now, T-Mobile’s HAPA+ IS faster, as proven in this comparitive test:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2359139,00.asp
Oh, and no, the Moment, Hero, and Pre do NOT do more than the TP2, lol. Get your facts straight. The TPS has a bigger screen, better keyboard, better speakerphone, noise cancelling, SIM card for world travel, video output, and tons of other features not found on either of those phones. Can you name something either of those phones do a TP2 doesn;t do- since you stated so matter of factly that they both more than the TP2?
Clearly you have no idea what you’re talking about so just shut up and let the grown ups talk here.
@ Don Louie
No, I did not think the hotspot would be free. The $40 is because I have 4 Touch Pro 2s on my plan right now. If I upgrade 1, I upgrade all 4. So I would be adding $40 per month to my already over $200 per month bill.
@ Jesse
Just to clarify, I have not been doing 2 way video chat, only 1 way (no front camera anyway).
I did 2 way back in the day with MS Portrait though back when I could flid the camera on the G1000 to the front. That was back in like 2004 though.
As for the past few years, I have been using Qik. That is the same app the Evo is using to video chat, but it is a different version (due to the front camera). I only use it to watch my kids games when i am stuck at work. My wife and kids all have the same phone as me, and we all have Qik installed. So when one of my kids has a game and I am stuck at work, my wife and my other kid will both do a live broadcast from different angles using Qik.
But I’ve been doing that for a few years now, it’s nothing new. Was using another service before that called pocketcaster, and another called Livecast. So this Qik on the Evo is nothing new. the only thing new is the front camera.
That $40 is still cheaper than 4 smartphones elsewhere and you get a more reliable experience too. It’s been said before, Sawlty, nobody is forcing you to upgrade all 4 lines but because that CHOICE is more expensive than current plans you want to rant. Where are you located? There are 28 – 48 more markets coming this year and that $10 fee may be of use sooner than you think.
@ Don Louie
You’re wrong, T-Mobile is cheaper than Sprint on several plans.
And also, are you saying I should never be allowed to buy a new phone unless I either downgrade or pay an extra $10 per month, per phone?
Get real. like I said, morons like you daring customers to try the competition are the main reason Sprint is on the verge of going out of business.
@ Don Louie
By the way, I have a nice response to you that is awaiting moderation due to all the links I put in…
@SaltyDawg
Sadly,per my experience, on “PhoneNews” max link per response, is limited to “1” !
I recommend to copy and paste your original response, break it up into several sub/single link messages and resubmit them individualy, otherwise it will never make it through, good luck!
Thank You
@ Don Louie part 1
Did YOU even read the article? LOL, they are not talking about theoretical speeds. The guy had a Sprint 4G mobile broadband card, and a T-Mobile HSPA+ mobile broadband card. He ran a bunch of speed tests on one, took it out, and ran a bunch of speed tests on the other. The HSPA+ had a faster average download, faster average upload, faster peak download, and faster peak upload.
Here’s another real world test, this time a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRlx3bsp0ho
@ Don Louie part 2
here’s a video of the T-Mobile HD2 doing a speed test right next to an Evo at the Spritn Evo launch party in New York:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTenf-sa9Lw
@ Don Louie part 3
So save all your BS. Every single real world comparison we have shows the HSPA+ to be faster. The only theoretical faster speed being discussed is something Sprint can upgrade their Wimax to in the future. Right now, T-Mobile’s HAPA+ IS faster, as proven in this comparitive test:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2359139,00.asp
Oh, and no, the Moment, Hero, and Pre do NOT do more than the TP2, lol. Get your facts straight. The TPS has a bigger screen, better keyboard, better speakerphone, noise cancelling, SIM card for world travel, video output, and tons of other features not found on either of those phones. Can you name something either of those phones do a TP2 doesn;t do- since you stated so matter of factly that they both more than the TP2?
Clearly you have no idea what you’re talking about so just shut up and let the grown ups talk here.
@Don Louie
“Comparing a TP2 to an Evo is bordering on comical”
Since when is comparing…comical??
You are getting so tensed up over a comparison?
“There is nothing saying real world speeds are faster, thoeretical yes, real world no” ??
You should know by now, that each carrier performs differently, and location/frequency strength is key, followed by the radio receiver on the device, besides, no one is even close to a perfect system, and that is because sadly,no one strives for perfection in this industry.
@ Pat
I only have a 60% success rate with my text messages, 40% are error messages, Voice-mail messages are delayed for hours at the time, this has been going on since last June, and SPRINT can not figure it out, period.
Have they improved over the past couple of years?
Where else could they go but up!
SPRINT has been taking drastic measures, not by choice, but as a matter of survival, customer service has come a full circle from the early days in the late 90’s, now it is time for true customer appreciation, not just with words, but with action, why keep raising the rates on the customers who built this company from “No signal strength to 4G” ?
The “Everything Plans” are great for new transfers, not for some 44 million established SPRINT customers, they are all going to have to switch plans, or leave for a different carrier, is SPRINT aware of it’s ranking?
In addition to the above sited pressure, new fees are being added for 4G ,which makes sense during strong economic times or when you are speaking from position of strength, not when you are bleeding accounts, especially not when people are hurting all over, it should have had an introductory fee free period and also pending on availability of 4G service in ones area, rather than an upfront charge first, and delivery second!
SPRINT, however by enforcing this fee, is most likely attempting to reduce it’s EVO return rate and control it’s upfront cost and availability.
Thank You
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As to Wi-Fi on the EVO 4G, Sprint confirmed to PhoneNews.com today that there is no fee for Wi-Fi client usage. Only when you want to activate the Mobile Hotspot feature is there a fee.
Personally, I think the $30 fee is reasonable. They have to keep the bandwidth usage down and price is the best mechanism for it.
I have Clear right now with a PHS-300, but I still think the EVO form factor is much better. You can keep it in your pocket!
@SaltyDawg, you sure have spent quite some time on here and howardforums pushing your point of view…
Interesting to see your videos on TMo Touch HD, although people can also counter how Sprint’s WiMax launch in NY was not truly running on its network (as seen in the clip’s caption), the burst speed and less-than-accurate test on mobileSpeedTest, Sprint capping upstream/downstream… I’m just throwing these out without analyzing or researching the rights and wrongs.
I really have nothing against you (or Chris) pushing Sprint to lower the entry point on MRC, afterall I’m just another consumer. However, comparing apple to apple, feature to feature (hardware and sevice-wise), the plans are still not way off.
And to F1 who blamed Sprint for bundling the Instinct with the Simply Everything plan, have you been checking out the bundling on Verizon and at&t since the introduction of iPhone, or the Blackberry plan on any BB devices? Besides, there’re plenty of prepaid plans out there for you to choose from. The wireless industry has evolved into so many plan flavors for people with different needs, and somehow you’re just the kind who asks “who moved my cheese?”.
Anyhow, after raising the same question for so many times: where is the response to Carlos questions? I’m tired of it already, and so let me make this very last response to this thread… phonenews.com has really lost creditability… but it’s successful in generating hits and revenue for them. That’s all.
Charging $30 is not going to keep bandwith usage down. Those that don’t pay the $30 will just use other ways to tether. Plus I myself use as much or more data directly on my phone then when I am tethering. The only reason I don’t have too much of an issue with the $30 is because those who do a little research will not have to pay the $30. Either way im cool with it. At least sprint is making money and not loosing it. (At least not as much as they used to)
@BJ
“The wireless industry has evolved into so many plan flavors for people with different needs, and somehow you’re just the kind who asks “who moved my cheese?â€
You obviously have a difficult time following my point, here is an analogy for you that might shed more light to what my point is, think of the automotive industry as an open model, versus the cellular industry as a closed model.
You can purchase any car i.e Ford Mustang/Honda Civic/MB E-Class/Bentley GT/a Ferrari of your choice:
1. Keep it as a collector a la Jay Leno, drive it any distance, anywhere on any road, use any fuel grade of your choice (E-cars electric were initially “lease only” and that model failed, see GM’s EVO model), drive at any safe speed, service it at a mechanic you trust, the manufacturer will never prevent you of using your car anyway you like, you can change/switch/trade/sell your car anytime, drive legally anywhere you please, with any grade fuel/oil from any brand gas station.
(Manufacturers only make recommendations!)
2.The Cellular industry on the other hand, has “evolved” from the days of the “Ford Model T/ late 80s Brick Motorola” to today’s latest i.e. the iPhone 3GS/HTC EVO Android, and has progressively removed the consumer’s choices, especially when comparing it to the Land-line services it replaces!
3.In the United States, unlike Europe and Asia and the rest of the world, you pay for incoming calls, we used to have Free 1st incoming minute, holidays and week-ends were Free, you can still not block “caller ID blocked” incoming calls, no consumer controls what so ever, you can not even turn off your voice-mail, no collect call capacity, no three-way calling, you pay every time you dial an 800/888/877 number, you can not have multiple numbers on a single ESN, on a none GSM device, you can not swap devices at will with a Sim/swap etc…
Data is Data, it does not matter if it is a “call” that is made or a “website” visited, all they are doing is giving us the consumers “controlled” access by controlling the size of the straw!
4.It is like, Ferrari saying you can only drive on the side street during these hours and on the Freeway during these times and you can never drive it on a race track or a private road, and here is your “Speed-Schedule”, btw, you can only purchase your fuel from Ferrari dealers, and we get to raise the rate as we wish, is there a speed limit on a Ferrari ??
Well yes, but due to legislation, not because of Ferrari!!
In closing, do not expect people, who are high tech consumers, who helped build this industry from the days of “NO Signal”, to today’s “Live 2-way Video”, to settle for mediocre “evolved” choices of today.
We have “paid” our “dues”, and even today are still paying for industry wide sub par service quality, with dropped calls,failed text messages, delayed voice-messages, on all the current carriers!!
Change is due, and it is slowly but surely coming to the industry and for the U.S.consumers.
Thank You
Been with Sprint since the mid 90’s (retired from one of their first long time add pardners so I’ve always had the discount) in the old days I use to pull my hair out by the hand fulls and after a few days always managed to find the right person, even payed the cancellation fees once, but have managed to stick with them and things have steadfastly gotten better I know it will not always be easy but at this point I plan to keep on with them. Less than $145 for 1500 min.,unlimited text and picture on four lines, unlimited data on one of the five lines and a data card. I also ported a land line business number over to TMobile prepaid for less than 8 dollars (could have been less than $7 can’t remember, price of the sim, someone gave me the phone) and purchased a $100 card to last the full year (they ended up giving me over 2300min and good for two years) I only use this number for the voice mail and it cost me nothing to check it with another phone so for less than a hundred and ten dollars its good for into 2012.
On Sprint I even test tethered my old 6800 just in case the data card screws up and it has (only looked up the Sprint site on two different computers and don’t plan to use it otherwise) so I hope I’m set for a while. I just wish they would quit sending me info on that new droid guess they know what a push over I am for for another two year extension even though we wouldn’t need it.
Been with Sprint since the mid 90’s (retired from one of their first long time add pardners so I’ve always had the discount) in the old days I use to pull my hair out by the hand fulls and after a few days always managed to find the right person, even payed the cancellation fees once, but have managed to stick with them and things have steadfastly gotten better I know it will not always be easy but at this point I plan to keep on with them. Less than $145 for 1500 min.,unlimited text and picture on four lines, unlimited data on one of the five lines and a data card. I also ported a land line business number over to TMobile prepaid for less than 8 dollars (could have been less than $7 can’t remember, price of the sim, someone gave me the phone) and purchased a $100 card to last the full year (they ended up giving me over 2300min and good for two years) I only use this number for the voice mail and it cost me nothing to check it with another phone so for less than a hundred and ten dollars its good for into 2012.
On Sprint I even test tethered my old 6800 just in case the data card screws up and it has (only looked up the Sprint site on two different computers and don’t plan to use it otherwise) so I hope I’m set for a while. I just wish they would quit sending me info on that new droid guess they know what a push over I am for for another two year extension even though we wouldn’t need it.
F1, are you Chris? (kidding, because you tricked me back here! LOL!)
Your examples have clearly demonstrated and reinforced the who-moved-my-cheese mentality. Telcoms landline revenue has been on the decline since years ago, consumers are switching to wireless. So WGAS about first incoming minute free when you have unlimited mobile-to-mobile?
On CDMA… I don’t know about VZ, but for Sprint, you can login to their website and swap handsets DIY. Legally speaking, even if you have an iPhone, you’re still stuck with at&t and not able to use it on T-mobile. Have you heard about the class-action lawsuit against at&t lately?! Don’t blame it on CDMA on regulations for everything!
Now, if carriers were to charge you for voice mail, call forwarding, three-way callings as options separately, you would be crying foul just like when Sprint charges you $10 for this and $30 for that. But guess what, if you have been looking around and paying attention lately, check out all the prepraid brands Sprint has created, and check out the prepaid plans T-Mobile, Cricket and MetroPCS are offering. Carriers are throwing almost everything to consumers and see which one sticks. You really can’t compare apple-to-apple plan-wise unless you’re checking out unlimited voice, data and text, and in this case T-Mo and Sprint are the leaders in value.
From a macro point of view (your auto industry analogy), grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. You take things for granted, and you wish having this and that. In other countries, not because incoming calls are free, but the caller is almost paying double to cover the cost of the callee’s. You think the telcom industry would give things away for free? Think again. Besides, the options are also consumer-driven. Just because you think it’s important that the entire US has to agree with you.
The competition in US wireless market has just heated up again, we’ll have to if any carrier would come up with things on your wishlist. If you have looked at the last quarter’s wireless companies net-adds, you’ll see why Metro and Leap are gaining ground; Sprint has almost stopped bleeding, and verizon and at&t post-paid are clearly coming to a screeching halt. What does it mean? The market is saturated, and people have started looking into options and plans that truly fit their needs. Apparently, you are not one of them.
Oh, and don’t thank me 😉
@ BJ
I tried to read that long post and couldn’t get through it. I read so much incorrect info that I had to stop right there and reply.
#1: Yes, you can log onto Sprint’s website and swap handsets. YTou still have to pay an activation fee though. For example, I am a current Sprint customer. If I upgrade the 4 Touch Pro 2s on my account to Evos, then I have to pay 4 seperate $36 activation fees. This is NOT the case on AT&T or any GSM carrier. If you already have an account, and buy a new phone, you simpy pop in your SIM card and you’re good to go in like 5 seconds.
#2: Yes, you CAN use an iPhone on T-Mobile. You have to unlock it first, but plenty of people do this right now. Go check out any T-Mobile forum and there are tons of people with iPhones. And if you don’t know how to unlock it, any mom and pop cell phone store will do it for you for a small fee. And I’m pretty sure AT&T and Apple will even do it for you since I am pretty sure the law says they have to (and locked phones are actually illegal in Europe anyway).
#3: Sprint forces all of their smartphone customers to pay for a bunch of worthless services. Why the heck am I paying for Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, Nascar Mobile, Sprint Radio, and NFL Mobile (even though I don’t even get NFL Mobile anymore)? They could lose that stupid $10 Evo tax right now if they got rid of all of those worthless services. Nobody is going to use any of them on the Evo because Android already has free services that are better than all of those. And if some idiot still wants those services, then let them pay the $10 tax to get them. Telenav alone costs like $10 per month if you get it directly from Telenav, so all of them combined have to be costing me at least $10 per month right now- and I will likely never use any of them on the Evo (don’t even use them right now on my Touch Pro 2).
@sawlty
Most of the stuff you said is sort of true. You don’t really need sprint tv or sprint nav and all the other stuff. But a lot of people do use these apps. Most people don’t have an android and therefore can’t get free nav so they use sprint nav. Others use sprint tv especially now that you get live feeds of shows including ESPN. As for nfl mobile, it is no longer called nfl mobile. It is called sprint football live and this app was used by a lot of people when it was nfl mobile. Sprint did not renew contract with the nfl so therefore changed the app. So for the most part, most people use these apps even if you dont. Sprint will never take these away and lower the price. Even if sprint is so called “forcing” these at customers the prices are still pretty low compared to other services.
As for the $36 activation fee, sprint rarely charges this. I have swapped my phone 5 times in the last year and have never been charged an activation fee. The only time they will charge me is if I renew my contract and get a new phone at their subsidized pricing. Even then if you ask them to, they will waive the fee. I just helped a friend get 3 new lines on sprint from att and they charged him the $36 activation fee and then they waived them.
I don’t agree with the $10 charge on the evo since sooner or later all of sprint will be 4g and there is no need to charge extra for something sprint is going to do anyway, But I doubt it they will take that fee away and they are still probably going to gain a lot of new customers due to 4g and the evo.
@ JJ
There may very well be a lot of people using Sprint tv and all that other stuff because they aren’t on an Android phone. But they are also not being charged an extra $10 for an Evo either.
Sprint could easily make all of that stuff a $10 option, instead of making the Evo a $10 option. Then whoever wants to use it can continue to, and it wouldn’t cost them any extra unless they had an Evo (in which case, they wouldn’t need any of that stuff anyway).
I can see where your coming from. IF they ever offered the option to waive $10 and not have all those things I would probably do it.
To be truthful, now that the hero has the 2.1 update that phone is looking pretty good right now. Its not 4g and doesn’t have 1ghz processor but it sure beats my winmo phone.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but tethering over 3G is not free, you must purchase a PAM add-on in order to do it contractually. We all know there are ways to do it without purchasing the add-on, but it’s not free today, and as far as I can remember in the last 11 years that I’ve been with sprint PAM has never really been free.
Yes those of us with Pre’s have been using hotspot over 3G for free for nearly a year, but once again, that’s technically against the rules.
Sprint charging for 4G access wasn’t unexpected, as other’s have pointed out it’s their typical MO. In fact if you look at the direction Sprint is moving they are positioning Sprint to be a mobile data provider that also does voice, not a cell phone company that also does data. Once LTE becomes widespread we will see 4G access bundled with a new version of the everything plans, VOIP based calling apps, and data will become the focus of our world not the minutes we use.
@ Modeerf
Sprint doesn’t sell a PAM add on for most (if any) smartphones. SO purchasing the PAM add on is obviously not an option.
@modeerf
Also, tethering outside of pam is not against the rules as you say. Sprint might not like it but they can’t stop it. You should read up on “net neutrality”. If you want to pay for PAM be my guest.
@BJ
I know my choices are not what everyone in the U.S. would want, but the majority, some 44 million of 47 million SPRINT customers are with their action, of not converting their plan over the last 2.5 years, have more or less agreed with the above position.
Also, feel free to revisit SaltyDawg’s post regarding some your facts!
@JJ & SaltyDawg
Years ago, I used to watch CNN/ ABC News on SPRINT TV, like many other things, that was later deleted, over time there was nothing left for me to watch since I do not follow Sports.
Regarding Navigation, that was not a feature I utilized, mostly courtesy GOOGLE MAP, I know where I live and I am fully aware of the constant changes in the City which in turn makes software up keep & updates mandatory.GOOGLE MAP was to me a god sent product, especially when you consider live traffic updates, color coded traffic indicators help save time when you are on the Interstate 405 heading towards the 101, you can make alternative route planning (using your head!).
Mind you I was doing all that on a 2006 Samsung M610 which out performed any MS smart-phone on any given day!
Retention Update:
Last night I did speak to a “Retention Manager”, she said since February they no longer have the monthly $20 credit, which was previously offered to me, I will not be able to carry my 6 pm over, furthermore, no more unlimited roaming, the $10 fee is not discountable, she stated,
“this is new Microwave technology, it does not work with any other plans but with E.P. Plus $10 (Plus $29 for the Hotspot function ).
In short the least expensive 4G plan translates to:
$69.99 + $10=> $79.99 (450m/ 7pm) plus tax & fees, just around $90 when it is all said and done, not a bad deal when compared to the free 3G/4G USB card rate with the monthly rate of $59.99!!
SPRINT did offer a onetime $70 credit to my account, for renewing my Fair & Flexible 700, the Retention Manager also kept hammering the point that SPRINT is the only carrier which allows for people to keep renewing their “discontinued Plan”, failing to site the drastically reduced pool of Cell phone choices, I in return rebuffed her $70 credit, by saying that it would hinder my freedom of leaving at will, and their early termination fee will be many folds the cost of the $70 credit !!
Thank You
JJ, technically at the moment there isn’t Net Neutrality in the United States. The courts shot that down.
Bypassing a PAM plan is a huge gray area at this point. We still suggest people use PdaNet, but only because the law on it is unsettled.
The FCC has said announced plans to try to regulate the internet, similar to how telephone and cable services are regulated, in order to re-implement net neutrality.
Bottom line: Sprint will tell you that using PdaNet, WMWifiRouter, etc are prohibited. If that is legal or not is unsettled.
I saw the ruling on net neutrality. Oh well. Sprint in most cases can’t tell the difference between data used on the phone and data used on a tethered laptop.
Worst they can do is cancel your contract. In my case they would be cutting a loyal customer of 8+ years. I’ll continue to tether. It really doesn’t hurt sprint. I use 3 times more data on my phone then when I tether. Either way savvy customers will continue to tether and like you said… the law isn’t settled. So neither sprint nor the consumer can enforce anything legally.
1) Everything considered, Sprint is currently providing much much superior, much faster network than ATT/VZ for LOWER PRICE.
2) ATT/VZ slower network charging around $130 for what Sprint charges around $80 on a faster network.
3) These 3rd grade article writers are paid under the table by ATT/VZ to misinform consumers
KNOW THIS FOR A FACT, FORGET ABOUT THE CONFUSSION CREATED BY ATT/VZ DIVIDEND RECEIVING SHAREHOLDERS, DRESSINGUP AS ARTICLE WRITTERS:
1) Everything considered, Sprint is currently providing much much superior, much faster network than ATT/VZ for LOWER PRICE.
2) ATT/VZ slower network charging around $130 for what Sprint charges around $80 on a faster network.
3) These 3rd grade article writers are paid under the table by ATT/VZ to misinform consumers