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Mce SaintPremium
join:2007-10-03
Saint Louis, MO Reviews:
 ·AT&T U-Verse
1 edit | Ah, Sprint and PAM How do you take a bad situation and make it worse? Do what Sprint did.
On the one hand, Sprint did - in small print - say that the Everything Plans (Simply, Family Share, etc.) did not include Phone as modem (PAM).
On the other hand, why should Sprint be allowed to market something as "everything" that doesn't include . . . well, *everything* a smartphone can do (or a smartphone user would use)? Did we learn nothing from limited "unlimited" data plans?
Add to this that although Sprint (in small print) disclaimed that PAM was not included in the Everything plans. . . the instruction manual for Sprint's version of BB devices did layout (in large print) exactly how the purchaser's BB could be used to PAM. The instructions? Download Sprint's Smartview Program, connect BB, enjoy!! Nary a word about having the proper plan.
Add to THIS (on top of the above) - PAM worked . . . for over a year . . . for those on the Everything plans. Apparently CLOSING this "loophole" for Everything plan customers wasn't a high priority.
Calls to Sprint's vaunted CSRs were often more confusing than illuminating - producing results that flat out contradicted Sprint's (small print) disclaimer.
Yes, Sprint is "technically" correct here. It did disclaim that PAM was NOT included in the Everything plans. Technically, though Sprint is bleeding customers and revenue.
So what did Sprint do? It pizzed off existing customers and shot itself on a chance to make revenue. Brilliant!!
Reports are that - despite closing the Smartview "loophole" - Tetherberry still works. $55 for Tetherberry (a one time payment) versus having to buy a USB aircard and $60 a month data service from Sprint (or, worse, decreasing your minutes, adding PAM and getting nickled and dime to death). Hmmm. . . what will the masses do?
IMO, Sprint would have been better off allowing Everything plan customers to ADD PAM for a reasonable fee - $20 to $30 a month. There's no compelling reason for BB phone owners to have a SEPARATE aircard . . . since the BB can fill that role (though, at the slower EVDO Rev. O speed).
A message like this would have done wonders for it's image among customers and - again IMO - captured revenue stream it's now going to watch go out the door:
"Dear Sprint customer: Thankyou for using Sprint and being a member of it's 3G (and soon to be leading 4G network). To ensure the continuation of our network capabilities, Sprint has been reviewing its account and notices that you've enjoyed the PAM capabilities of your BB.
Unfortunately, such capabilities were not included in your Everything plan nor factored into the plan's pricing. The unauthorized use of such capabilities also burdens Sprint's networks and its ability to continue to provide you with outstanding service.
As of two-weeks from now you will no longer be able to use the PAM feature of your BB UNLESS you also purchase the PAM "add on" for the Everything plan for the low monthly fee of $20.
And, oh - for the record - I'm a Sprint customer; have a BB; the Everything plan; . . . AND one of Sprint's USB aircard (U737) AND a data plan (you do NOT want to see my monthly phone bill).
Still, despite having a separate aircard and data plan, there were times I did use my BB as PAM. Specifically, those times when my aircard (which was the size of a pack of gum) was there (usually in the pocket of another jacket or my desk drawer) and I was here. | |
fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | From the posted article....:
" A Sprint forum employee posted a response saying, “PAM has never been included in the Everything plans, so a lawsuit won’t get far. It would be different if it had ever been offered as an included option, but it hasn’t.” In other words, hahaha try it."
The funny thing about this is that they tell you and market it as "everything your phone is capable of"... Well, if the phone is capable of being tethered, then that would be included.
This posting buy a Sprint forum employee is the exact reason why companies put leashes on their employees when it comes to public matters. (Then again, I don't know which forum this came from, nor if this alleged employee is a real employee or not) | |
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