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Sprint Slowly Killing Unlimited Data
If You Can't Beat AT&T & Verizon, Join Them?

Since their botched Nextel acquisition resulted in a huge exodus of annoyed customers, Sprint has been trying to do things a little differently from AT&T and Verizon, in the hopes that being a little more consumer friendly would net them customers. Those efforts have involved retaining unlimited smartphone data plans, while AT&T and Verizon both shifted to the low cap and high per byte overage model. Sprint's CEO has touted the unlimited benefits for months, insisting the plans set Sprint apart. But with a pricey LTE build on the horizon, Sprint is slowly but surely killing unlimited data.

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Sprint initially offset unlimited data by charging all users an extra $10 "because we can" fee. Last month Sprint announced they'd be capping mobile hotspot users at 5GB, with users now required to pay $.05 each additional MB over the cap they travel. Now according to Sprint's website, caps are expanding to cover additional devices.

"If you have a mobile broadband device such as a tablet, netbook, notebook, USB card, connection card or Mobile Hotspot device, effective beginning with your next bill following notification, your on-network monthly data allowance will no longer include unlimited 4G," Sprint's website says. Those users will now be capped at 3GB, 5GB or 10GB per month depending on their plan, and all will face $.05 per MB overages. Unlimited smartphone data still exists, but you get the distinct impression it won't be for long.

Sprint has pretty clearly decided that if you can't beat AT&T and Verizon, you may as well join them. In order to cut costs for their LTE build and offset their iPhone deal, the company has recently raised smartphone ETFs to $350, shortened their 30 day trial window window, eliminated money back refunds, and raised their "administrative fee" from ninety nine cents to $1.50. For good measure, Sprint then buried language in their TOS trying to prohibit customers upset with these changes from getting out of their contracts citing a "material change in contract."

While trying to stop AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile, Sprint has been complaining constantly about the AT&T Verizon duopoly, but it's getting increasingly more difficult to tell Sprint apart from their larger competitors. Unlimited smartphone data is about the only thing setting Sprint apart right now (if you ignore their woeful initial iPhone 4S network performance), and as their LTE build budget gets tight you can expect unlimited data to officially go the way of the dodo sometime in the next year or two.
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pende_tim
Premium Member
join:2004-01-04
Selbyville, DE

pende_tim

Premium Member

Material Change in Terms

This sounds like it is a "material change" in contract terms and will give unhappy affected customer a get out of jail free card.
rlharris02
join:2009-02-06

rlharris02

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

No, this is for the ADD-ON.

It is not your core plan for smart phones.
iFail 5G
join:2011-08-03

iFail 5G

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by rlharris02:

No, this is for the ADD-ON.

It is not your core plan for smart phones.

People with data cards and MiFi's can still get out of the contract. No reason to have a data card with Sprint now, one of the slowest networks, and smallest and probably slowest *4G* gives no incentive.
Seaboogers
join:2004-11-01
Sarasota, FL

Seaboogers to pende_tim

Member

to pende_tim
Why even stay with Sprint now? Seriously...they are now no different than Verizon and ATT, but with less coverage.

I specifically went with Sprint because of the unlimited 4G for my Overdrive Hotspot, which I use in the field for work purposes.

Having "Unlimited" on a phone doesn't do me any good since i don't actually work on my phone...I work on my laptop.

GG Sprint...you think you're annoyed with the loss of subs in the past...get ready for even more bailing now that you're just Verizon/ATT with worse coverage.
CTMustang
Premium Member
join:2007-09-10
New Canaan, CT

1 recommendation

CTMustang

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by Seaboogers:

Why even stay with Sprint now? Seriously...they are now no different than Verizon and ATT, but with less coverage.

I specifically went with Sprint because of the unlimited 4G for my Overdrive Hotspot, which I use in the field for work purposes.

Having "Unlimited" on a phone doesn't do me any good since i don't actually work on my phone...I work on my laptop.

GG Sprint...you think you're annoyed with the loss of subs in the past...get ready for even more bailing now that you're just Verizon/ATT with worse coverage.

You've obviously got a little bit of education to work on. Having an unlimited smartphone is actually better than paying double for the same thing.

With a smart phone you can hit a few buttons (after you've rooted) and bam, internet same as your hot spot and you aren't pay for a cell phone + hot spot. It's actually cheaper.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

Just wait until Sprint starts snooping your usage like VZW and AT&T are kind of doing to determine if you're using the hotspot function without paying for it
CTMustang
Premium Member
join:2007-09-10
New Canaan, CT

CTMustang

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by openbox9:

Just wait until Sprint starts snooping your usage like VZW and AT&T are kind of doing to determine if you're using the hotspot function without paying for it

:) a secure VPN to my home connection will be fine if they force me to use it
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

Not sure that will get you around the likes of AT&T's overwatch. Occasional use probably won't be a big deal, but routine use might raise red flags.
criggs
join:2000-07-14
New York, NY

criggs to CTMustang

Member

to CTMustang
I'm not clear as to why a VPN is helpful in this context. Can you explain, please? Thanks.

VPNs rule
@rr.com

VPNs rule

Anon

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by criggs:

I'm not clear as to why a VPN is helpful in this context. Can you explain, please? Thanks.

Simply put, the software that they use to see what you're using the connection for can't decrypt VPN traffic. How can they prove you were using a computer? My HTC Touch Pro has VPN capability, so they don't know if it's my phone or not.
criggs
join:2000-07-14
New York, NY

criggs

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

Just to be clear, what I'm thinking about is cancelling my Sprint 4G Mobile Broadband account since they're killing the unlimited option in a month. To replace it, I'm thinking of getting a Sprint 4G-capable smartphone, rooting it, and tethering it to my computer, since the Sprint 4G smartphone plans are still unlimited. On top of that, if I understand you folks correctly, I should implement a VPN arrangement so as to protect my computer's usage of the smartphone as its new "modem".

I have lots of questions about the feasibility of this route since I have no technical knowledge of any of the foregoing (not to mention that Sprint may drop its unlimited 4G smartphone availability also one of these months, rendering this whole discussion moot), but I think it boils down to the following questions:

1) Which Sprint 4G smartphone is the best bet if I go this route?
2) Once I get that phone, what's the best means of rooting it? Is there a software package that does this? Or is there a "best procedure" that does this?
3) What's the best way to tether the phone? I want to leave my computer's WiFi capability alone since it drives an ad hoc wireless network to which my other computer is a satellite. This means that I would like to use a USB tether to my main computer off of this 4G-capable Sprint smartphone. What is the best procedure to do this? Or is there a good software package specifically geared to this need? I have also read a few scattered rumors that a few tether packages now available NO LONGER REQUIRE that one root the phone? Is this correct? If so, which rootless tether software with USB capability do you recommend? Or, regardless of this option, am I still better off rooting the phone before proceeding to tether?
4) What is the path to use a VPN connection? Is that also software I buy? Or is it a procedure I implement? Or is it a provider from whom I purchase this service?

As hopefully you can see, I am completely ignorant on this whole area. It would appear, however, that I am now at a point where I have an urgent need to correct that complete ignorance. And I am hopeful that posting this question will be the first step in that process.

And thanks again to all who choose to help me out with this challenge. I appreciate it!

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by criggs:

1) Which Sprint 4G smartphone is the best bet if I go this route?

The HTC Evo. It's been out for a while and was a popular phone, so it's potential coder base is enormous. Barring that, maybe the HTC Evo 4G and/or the Nexus S (since it is a Google-delivered phone). Basically, any 4G phone will fit the bill. Using a service's flagship device guarantees there will be a large amount of community support for roots/ROMs/etc.
said by criggs:

2) Once I get that phone, what's the best means of rooting it? Is there a software package that does this? Or is there a "best procedure" that does this?

Nah, just use Google with your phone name and the keyword "root". Maybe add in a "guide" there for one of many walkthroughs on the internet. There's no real "best" way, but I'd probably recommend using any of the ones out there written up in a "Guide for Dummies" format if this is your first time doing it. Oh, and be sure that site/resource also includes the instructions to unroot your phone (return to stock) as well, in a hardly-used-but-just-in-case kind of scenario.

If all fails, I find that AndroidCentral usually has links (if not outright guides) to rooting resources for all Android phones out there.
said by criggs:

3) What's the best way to tether the phone? I want to leave my computer's WiFi capability alone since it drives an ad hoc wireless network to which my other computer is a satellite. This means that I would like to use a USB tether to my main computer off of this 4G-capable Sprint smartphone. What is the best procedure to do this? Or is there a good software package specifically geared to this need? I have also read a few scattered rumors that a few tether packages now available NO LONGER REQUIRE that one root the phone? Is this correct? If so, which rootless tether software with USB capability do you recommend? Or, regardless of this option, am I still better off rooting the phone before proceeding to tether?

There are applications out there for USB tethering as well as WiFi tethering, or both. Hell, I think if you only need simple USB tethering, there are apps on the Android market that will allow you to do so without rooting your phone even.
said by criggs:

4) What is the path to use a VPN connection? Is that also software I buy? Or is it a procedure I implement? Or is it a provider from whom I purchase this service?

VPN on the phone or through the tether. The tether shouldn't affect your internet connection, so you should be able to do whatever you normally do on that hardware. As for the phone's VPN capabilities, I believe those are stock on Android phones. Don't quote me though on this, as I haven't really used Android VPN capabilities worth a damn to be an expert.
criggs
join:2000-07-14
New York, NY

criggs

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by Thaler:

The HTC Evo.

Great; thanks.
said by Thaler:

just use Google with your phone name and the keyword "root". Maybe add in a "guide" there for one of many walkthroughs on the internet. There's no real "best" way, but I'd probably recommend using any of the ones out there written up in a "Guide for Dummies" format if this is your first time doing it. Oh, and be sure that site/resource also includes the instructions to unroot your phone (return to stock) as well, in a hardly-used-but-just-in-case kind of scenario. If all fails, I find that AndroidCentral usually has links (if not outright guides) to rooting resources for all Android phones out there.

I'm having serious second thoughts about rooting at all (see below).
said by Thaler:

There are applications out there for USB tethering as well as WiFi tethering, or both. Hell, I think if you only need simple USB tethering, there are apps on the Android market that will allow you to do so without rooting your phone even.

Yes, indeed. And the cheapest with good word-of-mouth appears to be Easy Tether for $10, which is the way I'm thinking of going.
said by Thaler:

said by criggs:

4) What is the path to use a VPN connection?

I haven't really used Android VPN capabilities worth a damn to be an expert.

So this would appear to be the area where I could still use some additional guidance. You see, it is still not clear to me whether VPN is a mode I would turn on on my smartphone or that I would turn on in the Easy Tether ap or whether that's something I need to turn on on my computer. Or is it not something that I turn on but rather a piece of software I need to get? Or is VPN a service I purchase from, say, some commercial entity like a VPN provider?

Keep in mind that I am completely ignorant with regard to what VPN is and/or how to obtain it/implement it/use it.

Thanks again for your continuing help; appreciated!

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

Well, for my only VPN usage, it's a matter of launching the Cisco client on my desktop/laptop to connect to our VPN server - the phone has nothing to do with it. I know some Android phones have VPN capabilities so that phone applications can access the VPN, but a tether (be it rooted or EasyTether) should just act like a medium between your laptop and the internet. Everything you're currently doing to connect to your VPN would be no different - you'd just be connecting through your phone via a USB cable.

And there's nothing really too concerning about rooting - it's by and large harmless. The only real "danger" is if you yank out your USB cable connecting the computer to your phone while it is rewriting software. It's only for that reason do people say rooting your phone is harmless** (or some disclaimer thereof).

Also, most sites (especially AndroidCentral) that host guides to root a phone also have guides to return any phone back to factory conditions. Just in case you need to resell your phone, return to Sprint, etc., returning from a rooted phone is possible and only requires the literary skills necessary to read a FAQ guide.
criggs
join:2000-07-14
New York, NY

criggs

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by Thaler:

Well, for my only VPN usage, it's a matter of launching the Cisco client on my desktop/laptop to connect to our VPN server

A VPN server? So there is such a thing as a VPN server that floats out there in the universe to which you need to connect? How do I go about finding such a VPN server and acquiring the means to connect to it?

Keep in mind that I have no idea what VPN is, and have never paid any attention to the term before yesterday.
said by Thaler:

there's nothing really too concerning about rooting - it's by and large harmless...returning from a rooted phone is possible and only requires the literary skills necessary to read a FAQ guide.

I'm very pleased to report that I just downloaded and installed Easy Tether on my phone and my computer.

And then I successfully connected the phone to my computer and my phone to the Internet, and everything worked great for the entire 50 minutes I played with it.

So it looks like I won't have to go through the rooting learning curve after all. All I have to worry about now is learning about this VPN stuff. Again any additional info in that regard would be gratefully received.

And thanks again for the help!

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

VPN = Virtual Private Network. It's usually used between sites to emulate a physical network connection across the internet. Specifically for my uses, it's to access shared network folders at a remote server from wherever I find myself on the internet. It also has the large additional security benefit that communications between you and the other end of your VPN tunnel are encrypted as well.

I just figured that since you had a requirement for VPN as a part of your mobile data connection that you already had a host server you wish to connect to.
criggs
join:2000-07-14
New York, NY

criggs

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

I'm afraid there's no host server that I had in mind. I did not even know, until you told me just now, that utilizing VPN meant availing yourself of a host server.

So I guess my next question is how do I go about finding a host server for a VPN connection. Are they available from Internet providers? Is that an additional service some of them provide for a monthly fee?

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

A better planning question would be: what do you want to use a VPN connection/server for? I can't think of any other reason than making a secure network connection between two geographical locations.
Thaler

Thaler to criggs

Premium Member

to criggs
NM, read back a few posts and I see what you're trying to do.

Usually that would require using some kind of VPN host software on one of your home computers. OpenVPN is one such example. Another means of doing so is if you're using a DD-WRT, OpenWRT, or Tomato-compatible router. Their software has VPN server functionality you can enable from within the firmware.

If all you're wishing to do is to make a VPN for VPN's sake, there are other "hide my internet" VPN server offerings out there at a monthly rate. You could go with them, tunnel through over your phone, and surf away.
criggs
join:2000-07-14
New York, NY

criggs

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by Thaler:

Usually that would require using some kind of VPN host software on one of your home computers. OpenVPN is one such example.

Okay, so I went to the OpenVPN site at »www.openvpn.net/ . I'm afraid I quickly became completely lost. I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about; it was completely over my head.

About the only thing of which I was able to make sense, MAYBE, was the page with the list of the various software options. Confusingly, there were listings for RedHat, Fedora, CentOS and Ubuntu. I have no idea what those are. Operating systems? Why isn't Windows listed? Do I install this on my computer or on my smartphone?
said by Thaler:

Another means of doing so is if you're using a DD-WRT, OpenWRT, or Tomato-compatible router.

Nope; my only gear is the 'puter, the USB cable and the smartphone; that's it. Of course, I have my second computer, which is linked to my first through an ad hoc wireless network, but that's downstream of all of this, so I presume I don't need to worry about that aspect, and I furthermore presume that, whatever I do, the ad hoc wireless network will continue to purr happily.
said by Thaler:

If all you're wishing to do is to make a VPN for VPN's sake, there are other "hide my internet" VPN server offerings out there at a monthly rate. You could go with them, tunnel through over your phone, and surf away.

Those are locatable on the web through Google, I presume. I came across something which looks quite useful, reviews of the top ten VPN services at »www.bestvpnservice.com/b ··· roviders . Are these what you're talking about? Does it look to you like picking one of these services may be the way to go for me?

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by criggs:

Those are locatable on the web through Google, I presume. I came across something which looks quite useful, reviews of the top ten VPN services at »www.bestvpnservice.com/b ··· roviders . Are these what you're talking about? Does it look to you like picking one of these services may be the way to go for me?

Given the limited selection of your hardware, yeah, I'd say a VPN service would be the way to go.
criggs
join:2000-07-14
New York, NY

criggs

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

Okay, so what I need to find is a decent VPN service, that will accomodate 40 gigs a month, and won't cost more than about $20 a month.

In addition, I need to pick a piece of VPN software that's recommended and reliable. (Of course, the VPN service might have its own proprietary software that I will need to use; not sure how often that's the case.)

With regard to VPN services, it appears that WiTopia and HotSpotVPN both have rather good reputations. And, with regard to software, in reviews from this year, SecurityKiss got a few good write-ups and ratings.

Well, those are starting-points at least. Obviously I could discover that one or more of those three products also suffer from negative reviews in some quarters, so this probably is the beginning of my search, not the end.
criggs

criggs

Member

said by criggs:

I'm very pleased to report that I just downloaded and installed Easy Tether on my phone and my computer. And then I successfully connected the phone to my computer and my phone to the Internet, and everything worked great for the entire 50 minutes I played with it.

Actually the process was not as straightforward as I make it sound above. For those thinking about doing the same thing, I can tell you I had to jump through a few hoops to make it happen.

First of all, when I went to the Android Market on my phone to download Easy Tether, it would not let me do it. It told me that the software was not compatible with my phone (even though I knew it was). I tried navigating to the site through my phone's browser rather than the Market, but the same thing happened.

So I then had to find the installer file for Easy Tether elsewhere, so I went back to the manufacturer's site on my computer, rather than my phone. They indeed had an alternate location, to which I went. Installer files for Android aps end with the extension .apk. So I downloaded the Easy Tether .apk file to my computer rather than my phone.

Then I connected the phone to my computer through USB and transferred the .apk file to my smartphone's storage space.

Now I had to run that .apk file on my phone in order to install it. The file WOULD NOT show up in my Applications list on my phone's storage space (called the SD Card). So how to pull it up and run the installer file?

Well, had to do another wrinkle. Called HTC (I have a Shift) and they informed me that THERE IS NO MEANS OF DOING THIS NATIVE TO ANDROID VERSION 2.2 (how lame is that?). So they recommended I download a third-party ap, Astro File Manager, which I did. It would NOT download through the Android Market!! I got the same message, incompatible with my device.

So I navigated to the browser, certain that it wouldn't work there either. Except that it did, and installed fine!

Now armed with Astro, I opened the Astro File Manager to see whether the .apk file would show up. It didn't.

Now what?

Turned out it was so simple I felt stupid. The file finally showed up the moment I disconnected from the computer (I should have disconnected as soon as I copied the Easy Tether .apk file to the SD Card).

I opened it with Astro File Manager and it IMMEDIATELY gave me the option of installing it, which I did.

Then, back on my computer, I navigated to the web site with the Easy Tether drivers that the computer needs to make this work, and downloaded the .msi file.

I then opened Easy Tether on my smartphone and it navigated me through the whole process of enabling the USB tether with my computer. At one point, it told me to not to connect the smartphone yet but first to run the .msi file on my computer, which I did.

At one point, the .msi Install asked me if I wanted to install with the Easy Tether Core option or the Android USB Driver option. After a lot of google-reading, I tentatively came to the conclusion the Easy Tether Core option was the only one I needed (others here, who are true Android "heads", may have something useful to add to that). I then successfully completed the install. When done, there was an Easy Tether icon in my taskbar.

After completing that install, I was instructed to physically USB-connect the smartphone. I was told to watch for a menu to pop up with some choices. The instructions said choose either Mount as Drive or Charge Only. I selected the latter.

I then right-clicked the Easy Tether icon in my taskbar and selected Connect through Android and voila! I was in business.

But, as you can see, I had to navigate a few curve-balls to get there. Hopefully my description above of the bumps on my road will help some other poor slob, trying to travel the same road, get there faster.
Seaboogers
join:2004-11-01
Sarasota, FL

Seaboogers to CTMustang

Member

to CTMustang
said by CTMustang:

said by Seaboogers:

Why even stay with Sprint now? Seriously...they are now no different than Verizon and ATT, but with less coverage.

I specifically went with Sprint because of the unlimited 4G for my Overdrive Hotspot, which I use in the field for work purposes.

Having "Unlimited" on a phone doesn't do me any good since i don't actually work on my phone...I work on my laptop.

GG Sprint...you think you're annoyed with the loss of subs in the past...get ready for even more bailing now that you're just Verizon/ATT with worse coverage.

You've obviously got a little bit of education to work on. Having an unlimited smartphone is actually better than paying double for the same thing.

With a smart phone you can hit a few buttons (after you've rooted) and bam, internet same as your hot spot and you aren't pay for a cell phone + hot spot. It's actually cheaper.

Not sure you understood what I was saying. I do not have a smart phone, I do not need a smart phone, I do not want to buy a smart phone.

I got the Overdrive Hotspot for use with my work laptop while I'm in the field.

Having a smart phone with internet on it, does nothing for my laptop. I don't work on a phone, I work on a laptop.

Unless you're saying you can "root" a smart phone and install a "hotspot" feature on it...and use it that way. As far as I know...you have to have a smart phone that has a "hotspot" function already built in to be able to do this.
CTMustang
Premium Member
join:2007-09-10
New Canaan, CT

CTMustang

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by Seaboogers:

said by CTMustang:

said by Seaboogers:

Why even stay with Sprint now? Seriously...they are now no different than Verizon and ATT, but with less coverage.

I specifically went with Sprint because of the unlimited 4G for my Overdrive Hotspot, which I use in the field for work purposes.

Having "Unlimited" on a phone doesn't do me any good since i don't actually work on my phone...I work on my laptop.

GG Sprint...you think you're annoyed with the loss of subs in the past...get ready for even more bailing now that you're just Verizon/ATT with worse coverage.

You've obviously got a little bit of education to work on. Having an unlimited smartphone is actually better than paying double for the same thing.

With a smart phone you can hit a few buttons (after you've rooted) and bam, internet same as your hot spot and you aren't pay for a cell phone + hot spot. It's actually cheaper.

Not sure you understood what I was saying. I do not have a smart phone, I do not need a smart phone, I do not want to buy a smart phone.

I got the Overdrive Hotspot for use with my work laptop while I'm in the field.

Having a smart phone with internet on it, does nothing for my laptop. I don't work on a phone, I work on a laptop.

Unless you're saying you can "root" a smart phone and install a "hotspot" feature on it...and use it that way. As far as I know...you have to have a smart phone that has a "hotspot" function already built in to be able to do this.

,

yes. You are not informed.

A smart phone can easily become a "hot spot" google it RTFM

SysOp
join:2001-04-18
Atlanta, GA

SysOp

Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

said by CTMustang:

,

yes. You are not informed.

A smart phone can easily become a "hot spot" google it RTFM

It is bad advice to even suggest one should "root" their work phone. Your employer could terminate your employment. Why do it when they pay the bill anyways.

"unemployment" google it RTFM

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

If your employer's already paying for your data card and/or smartphone in this manner, then why would one even care about a price increase on Sprint's end? Keep doing your job and let management figure out how to pay for over-cap charges.
Siirus09
join:2010-09-08
Downey, CA

Siirus09 to SysOp

Member

to SysOp
He didnt mention using a work phone, he was talking about how much more productive the person could be using a smart phone along with using its unlimited data by rooting it and connecting it to his laptop.
Unless an employer or Sprint has physical hands on the phone, they are unable to tell whether it is rooted and "customized". To unroot it and bring it back to stock takes an easy 10 mins. This has already been proven.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler to Seaboogers

Premium Member

to Seaboogers
said by Seaboogers:

Not sure you understood what I was saying. I do not have a smart phone, I do not need a smart phone, I do not want to buy a smart phone.

For these reasons alone, a hotspot device sounds better suited for what you want.
said by Seaboogers:

Unless you're saying you can "root" a smart phone and install a "hotspot" feature on it...and use it that way. As far as I know...you have to have a smart phone that has a "hotspot" function already built in to be able to do this.

And yes, he is saying exactly that. And no, the "hotspot" function isn't all that much of a premium feature to phones. Hell, even phones that some providers don't list "hotspot" as a feature can be rooted in order to provide that functionality. One would actually have a difficult time simply trying to find a smartphone sold today that can't be rooted for WiFi functionality.

I would still probably recommend a no-muss, no-fuss hotspot device if that's your only intended use for the hardware. I just might recommend now you look at a different provider, or maybe go with a pre-paid service option.

Or hell, now that you're out of your contract, you can simply go month-to-month with Sprint until you find a better deal elsewhere.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5 to Seaboogers

Premium Member

to Seaboogers
said by Seaboogers:

Sprint...you think you're annoyed with the loss of subs in the past...get ready for even more bailing now that you're just Verizon/ATT with worse coverage.

Even with the changes, Sprint deals are still better. But, of course, coverage is an issue and if that doesn't work for you where you live and travel, then don't use them.

On another note, if the unlimited plans aren't getting Sprint more users, it would be stupid to not charge more(assuming of course that doesn't lose them customers). The whole idea is to maximize revenues and profits and if unlimited doesn't do that, then they SHOULD charge more and get rid of unlimited plans.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Material Change in Terms

Problem is, with the increase in price and decrease in service, paying $10/month more for better network performance/coverage/etc. starts to be a valid option even for the budget-minded. I might join substandard network for a bill reduction of 30% or more, but when we're talking about a 5% or less difference in price...eh, I may very well bail.
gorehound
join:2009-06-19
Portland, ME

gorehound to pende_tim

Member

to pende_tim
Just buy yourselves a dumb phone instead of feeding these greedy assholes.I refuse to buy a smart phone and will never own one unless I have an affordable unlimited monthly bill.
Otherwise you big Corporations can go take a hike to the sewer where you belong
2012: The Apocalypse
OCCUPY WASHINGTON

•••••

RichzCatz
@ca.gov

RichzCatz to pende_tim

Anon

to pende_tim
Guess they want to go out of business, Sprints Cellphone service sucks always has, the only thing they had going was unlimited Broadband, dump that and you have a S#!* cellphone.
No Thanks!

TwighlightLA
Premium Member
join:2010-07-03

TwighlightLA to pende_tim

Premium Member

to pende_tim
It has never been a question if Sprint would succeed or fail. It was all ways a matter of time before the crashed and burn. They are getting closer to that time. They won't last out 2012.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

1 recommendation

morbo

Member

Calling all lawyers

" then buried language in their TOS trying to prohibit customers who tried to get out of their contracts citing a "material change in contract."

Sleezy tactic that won't hold up in court.

thender
Screen tycoon
Premium Member
join:2009-01-01
Brooklyn, NY

thender

Premium Member

Re: Calling all lawyers

They're relying on the fact that most people aren't going to court over a cellphone contract. Or companies. They have better things to do and will mumble and grumble under their breath but not do anything about it. If you don't pay the bill Verizon reports you to credit agencies. If you dispute it, credit agency will see multi billion dollar corporation vs. Regular dinkus customer and will award it in their favor.

Similar to Verizon and the $1.99 charge. They had to give some of the money back, years later. It's like an interest free loan, but better!

delta772lr
@50.36.161.x

delta772lr

Anon

Re: Calling all lawyers

Either that or they have a arbitration clause which just simply means the customer will still get screwed.

Dwayne
@comcastbusiness.net

Dwayne

Anon

Unlimited 3G

What if I am grandfathered on an unlimited 3G plan?

••••••

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx

Member

Why The Surprise?

T-Mobile decided quite sometime ago to emulate the big boys in its behavior. I guess Sprint decided what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Evil anti-consumer behavior is appealing to corporations and the law allows them to get away with it.

bluepoint951
join:2001-03-20
Lewisville, TX

1 edit

bluepoint951

Member

For USB Sticks, Hotspots, and Embedded Devices....

This IS a Material Change in contract. I have a Dell Inspiron 11z from Sprint i purchased in April 2011. It has both 3G built in and 4G WiMAX as well. I had the 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Connection plan.

I saw the notice yesterday in my email and the stories here and on Engadget today and called up Sprint. I couldn't change to the 4G Only plan, so I got transferred to Retention/Cancellations. The whole call took about 15 minutes; the rep confirmed that the change was Material to my line of service and as such, cancelled the line and waived the Termination Fee.

I never used 3G and got the device strictly for the 4G so for me it made no sense to keep paying $60/mth for 5GB of 4G data. My guess is Sprint is trying to cut their wholesale costs to Clearwire for 4G data services; why else would they take away unlimited 4G for Data only devices?

 .

••••••••

mackey
Premium Member
join:2007-08-20

mackey

Premium Member

iFruit crunch much?

iFruit crunch much? Looks like everyone will be subsidising the upgrades to the network needed to support these new devices.

I sure wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of the new $51.20/GB bill.

/M

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

Adios Sprint

Seriously, why does anyone *choose* Sprint? Their coverage, compared to Verizon, stinks. Heck, most of their coverage is provided by Verizon.

The unlimited data plan is the only thing setting Sprint apart from Verizon and AT&T. Take that away and why would anyone want to choose this crappy excuse for a phone company?

••••••••••••
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

1 edit

tmc8080

Member

regulation, or restraint?

this will end badly one of two ways...

either it will result in anti-trust style rate regulation

or

subscribers just cold turkey stop buying data from the wireless companies

i'm expecting the first faster than the second... try getting millions of consumers to boycott buying gasoline.. good luck with that one too

lastly, there won't be as much need for fancy $300 - $700 smart phones when the prices become sky high on usage based billing-- just when these companies are ramping up produtction of handsets too.. expect a glut of (overpriced) devices on the market in the next 2 years.

••••

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop

Member

Lazy consumers.

Customers will moan and complain but when it comes down to it they don't do a damn thing about it. IF consumers really wanted to show Sprint their dislike for this they would move to other carriers, but they will not do it.

Companies the size of Sprint and larger look at hard facts such as subscriber numbers and revenue. IF they add a cap or add a fee and their bottom line or subcriber numbers barely change they assume things are good and they continue on.

If there was a mass exodus of let's say 20-30% after such a policy change Dan would notice and would make a change. If 2-3% leaves his underlings will mark it up as churn and it will not be noticed.

•••
decifal7
join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

decifal7

Member

done

Well, if this is the case. sprint is done.. /bye /bye sprint
talz13
join:2006-03-15
Avon, OH

talz13

Member

greedy.

When google releases an update to google maps with offline navigation and map caching, I will have 90% less use for mobile data. Bye bye!

Selenia
Gentoo Convert
Premium Member
join:2006-09-22
Fort Smith, AR

Selenia

Premium Member

Sprint will be dead. We must block AT&T/T-Mobile

And have someone new take T-Mobile off Deutche Telekom's hands. The best we can probably hope is someone does and improves Sprint, when Sprint collapses. They have spotty 4G, like AT&T. At least AT&T has numerous build plans on the 2 year front and has still been building out 850MHz 3G. You can't say that about practically bankrupt Clearwire. Verizon Wireless has a lead on everyone's 4G buildouts, even though none of it is close to me. In my region Sprint 3G is much spottier than even T-Mobile. Verizon seems to only allow Sprint to roam on 1xRTT, if you even can roam. Seeing 1xRTT on Verizon is rare, even though EVDO is slower than UMTS. Still get better speeds than the rare EVDO from Sprint over an hour away. You see a little EDGE on AT&T when you get to the boonies, but their overall footprint is the best and their 3G coverage was late, but now really good. Fast too, because the speeds I get exceed even the theoretical limits of EVDO.

Now with Sprint, there was price and unlimited, which was what they had over the others, despite their horrid network with lots of 2G, coverage gaps, slow 3G, and almost non-existant 4G footprint via Clearwire. Not anymore! So long, Sprint. May a good company buy you that is not the VZW/AT&T duopoly.

•••••

marcusj3000
Darkness Rising
Premium Member
join:2003-05-26
Memphis, TN

marcusj3000

Premium Member

Grandfathered

As far as I've been told and I'm a business customer that the current subscribers are grandfathered in with there current plans as long as you don't change plans. If you make a plan change after the new plans take affect then you are bound by the new terms.

bluepoint951
join:2001-03-20
Lewisville, TX

1 edit

bluepoint951

Member

Re: Grandfathered

said by marcusj3000:

As far as I've been told and I'm a business customer that the current subscribers are grandfathered in with there current plans as long as you don't change plans. If you make a plan change after the new plans take affect then you are bound by the new terms.

I wish that were true my friend, but if you read the information Sprint has on their website as well as confirmation by calling them, there is no more unlimted 4G for Data-Only Devices that had 3G/4G plans. I went over it four (4) times to make sure before I cancelled my line that was for my laptop. With the usage I have on 4G (15-20GB while traveling) I don't want to be billed $51.20/GB on overage.

Directly from Sprint:

If you have a mobile broadband device such as a tablet, netbook, notebook, USB card, connection card or Mobile Hotspot device, effective beginning with your next bill following notification, your on-network monthly data allowance will no longer include unlimited 4G.

Source: Mobile Broadband Plan and Mobile Hotspot Add-on Changes starting November 2011 - Sprint.com

 . 
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina

Member

What about smart phone tethering/hot spot

If you pay for it, do you still get unlimited data on a smart phone with a tethering plan? If so, Sprint still has a better deal than ATT/VZW.

In my opinion, it's a better deal to add tethering/hotspot to your smart phone vs. a separate data plan for a dedicated hotspot or tablet data plan.

bluepoint951
join:2001-03-20
Lewisville, TX

bluepoint951

Member

Re: What about smart phone tethering/hot spot

If you read the information Sprint has, this not only affects Data-Only Devices (USB Sticks, HotSpots, Connection Cards, Tablets, etc.) but also, Sprint said last month that for Smartphone users that have the "Simple Everything Plans" and had the "HotSpot Add-on" that that usage would be limited to 5GB; traffic to the phone itself was not being capped just the usage/traffic from the HotSpot functionality.

See: Sprint Capping Phone as a Modem to 5GB Starting October 2nd

That was also posted here on DSLR: »Sprint Caps Official Tethering at 5GB

 . 
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina

Member

Re: What about smart phone tethering/hot spot

This makes them no different than the rest because while it's possible, it's pretty hard to use a lot of bandwidth on a smart phone unless you hook it to your TV and start watching a lot of streaming video.

Either you have unlimited or you don't. 5GB cap on Sprint's spotty network for tethered/hotspot devices, no thanks.

What I don't understand is the $.05/MB overage fees. I think ATT and VZW charge $10/GB ($.01/MB) overage fees. At .05/MB, that's five times competitor's rates even if they bill you in smaller chunks. If you go over by just 200MB, it'll be the same $10 that ATT and VZW charge but on their networks you'll have another 800MB to use.

joe01880
join:2007-10-26
Wakefield, MA

joe01880

Member

B/S

Sprint charges the extra $10 but living in the Boston area 4G service is very hard to come by. Ad that to the battery drain if you leave 4G turned on to attempt to get the 4G in this area at least is almost useless and therefore the $10 is a rip off.
cableguy619
Premium Member
join:2003-06-24
Chula Vista, CA

cableguy619

Premium Member

Sprint Corp says no

So I walked into a Corp store and asked what the deal was. They denied any Caping other than the tethered cap. She stated people are misinformed.

So time will tell, but if changes then I will look to change I suppsoe.
qworster
join:2001-11-25
Bryn Mawr, PA

qworster

Member

Go with Clear for your data...

If you are using something other then a smartphone, do what I do-go with Clear. I negotiated a deal with them where I get their 8000/1000 service for 19.95 a month and bought my Clearspot for 25 bucks. I don't even have a contract-I can cancel at any time without penalty. Clear will work with you-they need the business.

jseymour
join:2009-12-11
Waterford, MI

jseymour

Member

Re: Go with Clear for your data...

said by qworster:

If you are using something other then a smartphone, do what I do-go with Clear. I negotiated a deal with them where I get their 8000/1000 service for 19.95 ...

Might be worth considering if Clear had coverage in my area.

Jim
sweyers
join:2011-06-11
Grimes, IA

sweyers

Member

If unlimited data goes away for smartphones

Then bye bye sprint. You will be no different than ATT/Verizon at that point and you can bet that I will cite a materially adverse change if not grandfathered to become a Verizon customer. In case anyone noticed Sprint is only SLIGHTLY cheaper than the duopoly. Sprint was going downhill anyway. Why does the iPhone always have the price of wiping out unlimited data?
severach
join:2002-09-12
Jackson, MI

severach

Member

Stop asking at the store

Stop expecting an honest answer by asking at the store. Of course they are going to say no because that's the current policy. You're the first they've heard of this new policy. They will find out soon enough when the bill shocks arrive.

BUCKEYECOM
@buckeyecom.net

BUCKEYECOM

Anon

Hmmm.

I thought all you Sprint fan boys said Sprint wouldn't be doing this? I've been saying for MONTHS that Spent would be limiting and capping their customers due to the iPhone coming to their network. And guess what? It's happening slowly and surely. Maybe next time: I'll know what I'm talking about when you guys don't know crap.
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