Database Users

Unlimited bandwidth discussion.

So this has been coming up a lot and I want to make something VERY clear to a few members on here who wish to back up Sprint/Evo whenever possible without looking at the facts.
Most of the members on here flame other people who complain about the extra $10 a month charge. I have been here, I have seen it and from day one I have been against the extra fee. Members have been so harsh and irrational as to say "Idiot you signed up without reading the contract?" or "Obviously said an extra $10 you don't HAVE to get this phone" etc etc etc.
Fine. You win. We didn't have to get this phone nor Sprint etc.
But let me make something VERY f*****g clear.
Sprint outlined that we pay an extra $10 for a "richer data experience" and "truly unlimited bandwidth". Now, the same logic applies to Sprint. So when I see users such as fachadick going off on how WE are stupid for downloading whatever we want yet he criticizes people for not wanting to pay the extra $10 a month it makes me question his line of thought. Clearly we pay an EXTRA amount for nothing other than Sprint to capitalize on their 'new iPhone killer'.
Lets face the facts:
Sprint clearly outlined our Evos to have unlimited bandwidth usage and that is the bottom line on the deal. A lot of members need to get off Sprints nuts and realize they are a mega corporation just like anyone else. If they had the iPhone they would be hijacking their prices and capping their bandwidth just to make extra cash too. This is how companies work.
If you need more evidence look into computer hardware. Currently, AMD is considered the best price/performance valued CPU on the market. There are a TON of AMD fanbois going around saying "we support AMD because they are an amazing corporation that does not cheat their customers like Intel does"
Bull****. When AMD was on top they were selling their native quad cores @ 1,000 when Intel was selling theirs for ~ 400. These server markets were untapped and AMD had the performance advantage. Now the tides have turned and people support AMD for the other reason.
The point I'm trying to make is there is a lot of FANBOISM going on in these forums. I have accepted it with phones but when people start to do it with carriers it just pisses me off. Carriers don't care just like any other corporation. Members here have to understand there is no difference between Sprint/ATT/Verizon/Criket/Metro etc besides their prices and the phones they offer. In the end, ALL of us are being f****d by their ridiculous prices and horrible customer support. Other industrialized countries have far better speeds and much cheaper prices than we do.
All in all, if Sprint cant back up their 'truly unlimited extra $10 a month b***hit' then let them fail - that is how capitalism works. The consumers get shafted with ****ty prices but we also get the best that the producers are willing to offer at the time.
Viva la download.

Dude, most of the people that don't agree live in the UK and frequent these boards.

What came first, the fanboi or the anti-fanboi?

nebenezer said:
What came first, the fanboi or the anti-fanboi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.. same goes for religion.. .. LAFF

I did argue with the sales man about why should I pay extra for 4g because I'm a two hour drive from the nearest 4g coverage.

Oh Noooo! I never realized I was paying an extra $10/mo.
My goodness, that's almost 34 cents a day!!
I'm gonna have to give up 2 trips to Starbucks every month.

werxen said:
Carriers don't care just like any other corporation. Members here have to understand there is no difference between Sprint/ATT/Verizon/Criket/Metro etc besides their prices and the phones they offer. In the end, ALL of us are being ****ed by their ridiculous prices and horrible customer support. Other industrialized countries have far better speeds and much cheaper prices than we do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the service is much different. CDMA is much stronger here than GSM. I have, many times, seen ATT/T-Mobile phones drop coverage completely while I wouldn't even loose data on my EVO. Metro isn't in my area, but Cricket is sh!t and not just in my area, everywhere. Dropped calls everywhere, hidden charges, ect. Also, I have had FANTASTIC customer service with Sprint and terrible customer service with ATT. I have not used Verizon or T-Mobile in a long time so I cannot comment on their customer service.
Honestly, yes we are paying MORE than the service costs, otherwise why would they provide that service? It costs about $6/month to provide service to a customer for the major carriers, possibly less. The point of ANY business is to convince the consumer that what they are buying is worth more that it actually is, which they have successfully done. It is worse in the wireless industry because there is much less government regulation, which is slowly changing. Other countries DO NOT have far better speeds on wireless networks, the US has the most robust 4G network in the world, though it is still weak. Wired connections are a different story, but we are not talking about that.
As bad as it may sound, our economy is based on deception of the consumer to maximize profits, that is just how capitalism works. Also, I really don't mind paying the $10 surcharge, 5 EVOs on Sprint (or EPICs) would cost $240/month while Verizon would cost $300/month and ATT would cost you $245/month (note that is for 2GB per phone and not unlimited) and T-Mobile costs you $250/month. And those prices are for the lowest minutes possible, while on Sprint we get any mobile. Now, I'm not going to say Sprint is the end all for all carriers, it is possible for any of the carriers to change their policies and prices. I have changed carriers 3 times, Verizon to T-Mobile, to ATT, to Sprint and have never been more satisfied with my service. That is partly due to the increased footprint of all networks, not just Sprint, but not only reception, full service.

@OP,
While this is a good topic for discussion, please try to keep the tone of your language down a bit. Thanks.

Is this argument still going on? It's a service. The company offering the service puts a price on it. If you find the service worth the price then you should buy it. If you think it is overpriced for the value you will gain out of it, then you should not buy it.
I personally find it worth $10 to have access to any city-wide Wimax hotspot as well as uncapped 3G data. That's why I bought the phone and the associated plan. Either way it is cheaper than similar Wimax-less and capped plans on Verizon or AT&T.
If you don't use a ton of data or Wimax then maybe you should buy one off contract and then activate it or maybe pick another phone/plan.
The world isn't perfect. Most things are a compromise. Ultimately the minutiae of high end wireless data plans and devices is a first world problem and I prefer to save my energy for other things.
Your mileage may vary.

egzthunder1 said:
@OP,
While this is a good topic for discussion, please try to keep the tone of your language down a bit. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree. OP starts threads looking for emotional reaction far too often for me to take this thread seriously.

Ha, dude, get over it. If you think other countries have better service and cheaper prices, then GO THERE...and to another forum.
One less winy, self-righteous individual clouding up the forums with their worthless rants.

dont feed the troll people...

werxen said:
So when I see users such as fachadick going off on how WE are stupid for downloading whatever we want yet he criticizes people for not wanting to pay the extra $10 a month it makes me question his line of thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should I reply or shouldn't I? Ok, I'll bite.
werxen said:
So this has been coming up a lot and I want to make something VERY clear to a few members on here who wish to back up Sprint/Evo whenever possible without looking at the facts....
snip
But let me make something VERY f*****g clear.
Sprint outlined that we pay an extra $10 for a "richer data experience" and "truly unlimited bandwidth". Now, the same logic applies to Sprint. So when I see users such as fachadick going off on how WE are stupid for downloading whatever we want yet he criticizes people for not wanting to pay the extra $10 a month it makes me question his line of thought. Clearly we pay an EXTRA amount for nothing other than Sprint to capitalize on their 'new iPhone killer'.
Lets face the facts:
Sprint clearly outlined our Evos to have unlimited bandwidth usage and that is the bottom line on the deal. A lot of members need to get off Sprints nuts and realize they are a mega corporation just like anyone else. If they had the iPhone they would be hijacking their prices and capping their bandwidth just to make extra cash too. This is how companies work...
snip
The point I'm trying to make is there is a lot of FANBOISM going on in these forums. I have accepted it with phones but when people start to do it with carriers it just pisses me off. Carriers don't care just like any other corporation. Members here have to understand there is no difference between Sprint/ATT/Verizon/Criket/Metro etc besides their prices and the phones they offer. In the end, ALL of us are being f****d by their ridiculous prices and horrible customer support. Other industrialized countries have far better speeds and much cheaper prices than we do.
All in all, if Sprint cant back up their 'truly unlimited extra $10 a month b***hit' then let them fail - that is how capitalism works. The consumers get shafted with ****ty prices but we also get the best that the producers are willing to offer at the time.
Viva la download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a fanboi because I think the $10 charge is legitamate? OK, let's go over it again. Devices that have the premium data fee do give you a richer experience. If you just want unlimited data, get yourself a Hero or Moment, and avoid that extra $10 fee. What does the $10 get you? Well, Sprint charges $29.99 for the hotspot feature on the evo and epic, but without the EVO or Epic, you would need the Overdrive from Sprint to acheive the same functionality, which would cost you $60/month. The extra $10/month on the Evo/Epic gives you access to this same functionality for half the price.
The $10 also gives you access to devices with a front facing camera, which gives a much better experience with video chat applications, and lets not forget the access to nationwide wimax access (which just opened up where my office is, and I'm consistently pulling 7mb down. Again, if you don't feel that those items are any type of enhancement, or worth $10, go with a hero or moment, or hell, even the i1 - those are all android devices on sprint where you can get unlimited data without the $10 fee or access to what that $10 gets you.
As far as abusing the unlimited data goes, it's not that people are using the unlimited data that is causing the issue - by all means, use that data, after all, it's included in the plan. What will eventually screw us all over is the fact that people are using the unlimited data, and abusing the prohibited network usage clause in their contracts while doing so.
You're right, Sprint is just another big corporation. That's the whole point. Now that people are abusing the probited network usage clause, and not only using wireless tething for free and using it their main connection to the internet at home, but are also using it for things like torrents, and just to see how much they can actually download for the hell of it, there becmes a point where it no longer makes financial sense for them to offer unlimited data so cheap (compared to the other carriers) - and then we all lose out.
edit - and I never called anyone stupid, either.

dmc971989 said:
dont feed the troll people...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really just can't help myself sometimes.

fachadick said:
I really just can't help myself sometimes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
except for you, you can feed the troll...

dmc971989 said:
dont feed the troll people...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Why do people even complain? Don't like the pricing or how the company is setup, pick up your crap and go to the next carrier. I don't pay for anything I don't find value in
/thread

If you weren't aware of the $10 charge or didnt pay attention cuz you were too excited about getting your new phone, THATS YOUR FAULT! Not Sprint's. Just like what's been said before, Sprint offers other Android phones that don't come with an extra $10 fee. If it bothers you that much, sell your EVO on Craigslist or eBay and buy one of them.

fachadick said:
I'm a fanboi because I think the $10 charge is legitamate? OK, let's go over it again. Devices that have the premium data fee do give you a richer experience. If you just want unlimited data, get yourself a Hero or Moment, and avoid that extra $10 fee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know...I don't "like" paying an extra $10, but I feel it is fully worth it.
As of a week ago, I have an add a line with a hero. First android phone for my gf, and she has been on the thing constantly. Guess what? Light usage for me and I have used three times the data in an identical time frame. The two ROMS I downloaded were on 4G so they don't add to the total.

dglowe343 said:
If you weren't aware of the $10 charge or didnt pay attention cuz you were too excited about getting your new phone, THATS YOUR FAULT! Not Sprint's. Just like what's been said before, Sprint offers other Android phones that don't come with an extra $10 fee. If it bothers you that much, sell your EVO on Craigslist or eBay and buy one of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah ok... I was never told about it when I purchased. Also.. signing the contract was digital so I saw nothing on any fees or pricing. Hell I didn't even know about it when I went on this forum. Again. I'm not really mad about paying for it.. not at all... but not everyone was told about it.. I gave him my info. Was told to sign twice on the electric pad and picked the 69.99 package. Turned my phone on and activated, printed out the contract form and told me thanks for joining sprint.. so you tell me when I was told about it. The package says unlimited data. I asked a Rep at the store and its for 4g service and owning a premium smartphone. Nothing about unlimited data? I was told I could go to blackerry and have same plan and have "unlimited 3g" so again its for 4g and owning the already paid for phone. I rather pay 10 bucks even if not here if it helps get it faster in Wisconsin. But don't say its for the unlimited data crap.. or they told you.. because not everyone was told about it.
Edit: the printed contract was stuff in the bag with the evolution box as soon as it printed and handed to me thanking for choosing sprint. So again never seen a contract.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

martyzidek said:
Yeah ok... I was never told about it when I purchased. Also.. signing the contract was digital so I saw nothing on any fees or pricing. Hell I didn't even know about it when I went on this forum. Again. I'm not really mad about paying for it.. not at all... but not everyone was told about it.. I gave him my info. Was told to sign twice on the electric pad and picked the 69.99 package. Turned my phone on and activated, printed out the contract form and told me thanks for joining sprint.. so you tell me when I was told about it. The package says unlimited data. I asked a Rep at the store and its for 4g service and owning a premium smartphone. Nothing about unlimited data? I was told I could go to blackerry and have same plan and have "unlimited 3g" so again its for 4g and owning the already paid for phone. I rather pay 10 bucks even if not here if it helps get it faster in Wisconsin. But don't say its for the unlimited data crap.. or they told you.. because not everyone was told about it.
Edit: the printed contract was stuff in the bag with the evolution box as soon as it printed and handed to me thanking for choosing sprint. So again never seen a contract.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never mentioned anything in post about "contract". I'm not trying to argue or call you out, I'm simply saying the tiniest bit of research of the phone prior to purchase would've revealed the extra $10 charge. It was displayed on Sprint and BB's websites. I never saw a contact or was ever told by the Sprint rep that sold me the phone either.
Sent from my SUPERSONIC

New Explainthefee.com Blog Post!

http://explainthefee.com/2010/10/22/do-you-really-need-premium-data/
Sums up everything so far. I fully believe that the fee really is for nothing that Sprint can actually back - it's like he says, just "smoke and mirrors".
Flame away. ¡

Another one of these? If you dont like it switch companies or get another phone. I can't wait until all these other companies put out and start charging for 4G so everyone can stop complaining.
Sent from my Evo beeesshh

DirtyShroomz said:
Another one of these? If you dont like it switch companies or get another phone.
Sent from my Evo beeesshh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, well since you're pretty close to being the number one guy on these forums defending this fee, explain it yourself. You work for Sprint, if I recall correctly.

yea like we need another one of these post lol last one was crazy

I don't defend the fee nor agree with it but I also speak with my money and don't pay or buy things I don't agree with. There are plenty other options out there, G2 is one of them.
Sent from my Evo beeesshh

Go to T-Mobile.

It's pretty obvious what the fee is for. It's for 4G. If you don't have 4G in your area then it's 1) to have access to it at all because you still can get 4G service if you go to a 4G covered area, and 2) it's to cover the ongoing expansion so that'll eventually reach your area. They don't say this because people expect instant gratification; don't like it? Well, then don't get a EVO or Epic.

Its for uncapped evdo and wimax. Wireless service is a commodity these days so when someone charges more than you want to pay you can shop for a better bargain. Problem is that the others all charge more and cap. Regardless of how poorly they advertise it there really isn't much better a deal out there than sprint if you have coverage. If you don't have coverage then you shouldn't even consider them. Assuming you do then its just capitalism. Companies charge what they need to make a profit as long as people will pay it. If I got a better deal elsewhere I would change carriers. Since I don't I will keep paying for sprint. Whemy do so many people not understand this?

I don't know why Sprint doesn't just tell the truth.. It's to help offset the enormous royalty they surely paid to be the only carrier with the BADDEST phone in the US..
$10/mo is well worth it, imo

I don't defend the fee- I just don't care. It's ten bucks. It's not worth arguing with the theorists like it's not worth arguing with non-tippers. You wont change 'em.
I used to tend bar years ago, and was always amused by people who would complain about the price of a gallon of milk while drinking a three dollar beer.

Even with the fee and insurance, its cheaper than cheapest Verizon plan. No way in hell would I be complaining. Phone is already badass without 4G imo.
Sent from my Evo

Sigh . . . I'm loathe to keep pumping life into a thread like this, but I have to make a couple of points.
1) It's not a 4G fee. It's an extra fee imposed upon users of high-end smartphones that will probably be using a lot more bandwidth than other users. It's basically another tax that can be used to increase infrastructure and expand service, so someday we'll ALL have 4G (or whatever Sprint decides to use in the end). Call it unfair, call it pointless, call it a good thing, whatever . . . just don't call it a 4G fee. You might as well say it's a 4.3" screen fee.
2) When you say something like "$10 is nothing to complain about" you sound like a total douche. To some people, $10 is something. Some people are responsible and keep to a budget. Some people don't have their daddy paying their cell phone bill. Heck, some people are quite well-off but didn't get that way by throwing money around with no thought. I personally switched from T-Mobile to a Sprint family plan and I'm paying almost 40% less for my Evo and my wife's Hero than I was for our two calling-only plans and texting packages at T-Mo. For me, $10 is something, but I'm better off than I was before, so it's worth it. That's not to say I'm making a decision to spend that $10 extra so I can have my Evo, but I understand that it was a choice I made. Maybe $10 is nothing to you, but that's either because you've got plenty of money, have somebody else paying the bill, are on an allowance from your parents (or a trust fund), or you just don't understand how to manage your money - in which case you probably won't have that problem for long.
3) If you have an Evo, pay the fee. If you don't want to pay the fee, don't get an Evo or any other new superphone from Sprint, because they'll all have the fee from here on out. If you want to write something, write to Sprint and petition them to waive the fee in exchange for limited bandwidth or something.
Ah . . . mountain pine.

DirtyShroomz said:
Another one of these? If you dont like it switch companies or get another phone. I can't wait until all these other companies put out and start charging for 4G so everyone can stop complaining.
Sent from my Evo beeesshh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So instead of Sprint users paying the extra fee, you want everyone else to do also?. "Don't punch me in the stomach, but if everyone else gets punched also, then it's cool." Non thinking selfish tard.

alero said:
I used to tend bar years ago, and was always amused by people who would complain about the price of a gallon of milk while drinking a three dollar beer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the most quotable phrase I have heard this year. I hope you don't mind if I borrow it.
There is nothing wrong with not wanting to be ripped off, but if your using a 400 dollar phone + 100 dollar service plan and can't afford it, then maybe you should start there instead of *****ing about the price. Its about bang for your buck, and while Sprint isn't exactly cheap, vs. The "Other 3" you certainly get better bang for your buck. I have yet to have anyone show me internet speeds on their phone that are even close to mine. Not to mention they have just upgraded the $7 dollar insurance plan.

SilverZero said:
Sigh . . . I'm loathe to keep pumping life into a thread like this, but I have to make a couple of points.
2) When you say something like "$10 is nothing to complain about" you sound ike a total douche. To some people, $10 is something. Some people are responsible and keep to a budget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If $10 is something to you then you shouldn't be buying a high end phone. It like buying a desiel truck and then complaining because desiel is $0.50/gal higher than gas. You should have known that before you bought it.

SilverZero said:
1) It's not a 4G fee. It's an extra fee imposed upon users of high-end smartphones that will probably be using a lot more bandwidth than other users. It's basically another tax that can be used to increase infrastructure and expand service, so someday we'll ALL have 4G (or whatever Sprint decides to use in the end).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, so it is a 4G fee because that's exactly what you explained. You have access to 4G, maybe not in your area but in others. And you're also paying for the 51% buyout of Clear and it's pending 4G infrastructure roll out so that 4G will eventually get to your area. How is that not a 4G fee?
..and to your second point, you're not being forced to pay for anything. Just don't get a 4G phone. Don't like the fact that all high end phones are 4G? Then go to another carrier. You see how that works? You're not even forced to use Sprint.

The only point I'll add to this thread is that the fee is NOT for uncapped data (as someone mentioned earlier), the uncapped data is built into the unlimited data plans. The fee just gives you access to the 4g network, not how much data you get on that network.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah

Its a big bull**** fee for sure - these white knight Sprint zealots are mentally incapable of processing some things.
First argument:
Don't like the $10 don't get an Evo.
- Sure this may sound easy and expected but it boils down to more than this. The Evo and the Epic are pretty much the only decent smart phones that Sprint has. We can buy an outdated Pre or Hero but will be limited in our web access and experience. Not only are these phones hardware restricted which will prevent future Android updates, but are also limited in their current capabilities. Correct me if I'm wrong, is the Hero still rocking 2.1? All things considered when Android is open-source, someone is making bank off just supplying PHONES.
Second argument:
Don't like the $10 go with "x" carrier.
- This again is stupid. Sprint is the only carrier that gives service in my area. Need I say more? I had T-mobile prior and was getting 1 bar and constantly dropped calls.
Third argument:
Its for 4G.
- Great. Even removing the fact that MOST of us with Evos don't have 4G and probably won't get 4G - the service itself has proved not to be 4G. You might get lucky but after reviewing Engadgets speed averages Sprints 4G is comparable to ATTs fastest 3G but with a 1mbit upload cap. Nice.
All in all - if the $10 was actually justified aka I could see results from it I would have no problem. So far I have seen a medicre phone with good service and lousy 4G performance. I don't think its justified but seeing as how its Sprint or nothing I don't really have a choice.
Lastly, everyone will say oh well its STILL cheaper. Big deal. Just because America is more ethical than Saudi Arabia does it mean that we do everything ethical? No. I can smell better than a homeless person it does not mean that I don't still smell like ****. The amount of logical fallacies that are present in the arguments of the Sprint white knights is absolutely breath taking. On one hand we have average people asking wtf and getting flamed on the other hand we have people like DirtyShroomz who works for Sprint and pays $0 a month for this crap *****ing about people who actually HAVE to pay for this phone.
Get over it - I'm right you're wrong. Its not a matter of maturity its a matter of education.

werxen said:
Its a big bull**** fee for sure - these white knight Sprint zealots are mentally incapable of processing some things.
First argument:
Don't like the $10 don't get an Evo.
- Sure this may sound easy and expected but it boils down to more than this. The Evo and the Epic are pretty much the only decent smart phones that Sprint has. We can buy an outdated Pre or Hero but will be limited in our web access and experience. Not only are these phones hardware restricted which will prevent future Android updates, but are also limited in their current capabilities. Correct me if I'm wrong, is the Hero still rocking 2.1? All things considered when Android is open-source, someone is making bank off just supplying PHONES.
Second argument:
Don't like the $10 go with "x" carrier.
- This again is stupid. Sprint is the only carrier that gives service in my area. Need I say more? I had T-mobile prior and was getting 1 bar and constantly dropped calls.
Third argument:
Its for 4G.
- Great. Even removing the fact that MOST of us with Evos don't have 4G and probably won't get 4G - the service itself has proved not to be 4G. You might get lucky but after reviewing Engadgets speed averages Sprints 4G is comparable to ATTs fastest 3G but with a 1mbit upload cap. Nice.
All in all - if the $10 was actually justified aka I could see results from it I would have no problem. So far I have seen a medicre phone with good service and lousy 4G performance. I don't think its justified but seeing as how its Sprint or nothing I don't really have a choice.
Lastly, everyone will say oh well its STILL cheaper. Big deal. Just because America is more ethical than Saudi Arabia does it mean that we do everything ethical? No. I can smell better than a homeless person it does not mean that I don't still smell like ****. The amount of logical fallacies that are present in the arguments of the Sprint white knights is absolutely breath taking. On one hand we have average people asking wtf and getting flamed on the other hand we have people like DirtyShroomz who works for Sprint and pays $0 a month for this crap *****ing about people who actually HAVE to pay for this phone.
Get over it - I'm right you're wrong. Its not a matter of maturity its a matter of education.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're points are completely.... I can't even find a word for it.
It's as simple as many have said "you are not forced to Sprint, get another phone or switch carriers". Don't have any other carriers in your area, well then damn, you really are in a ****ty position at this point - deal with it, I'm sure there is a reason you live there (and it's not because of a phone). It's almost like that car commercial said "if your winters are tougher than this, you don't need a new car, you need a new place to live."
Asking questions to be educated is completely acceptable but constantly complaining about something you have complete control over (meaning you have CHOOSE something else) is not - it's just a stupid business decision on your part purchasing something you don't agree with. What you're doing is high-fiving your best friend for sleeping with your wife.

werxen said:
Its a big bull**** fee for sure - these white knight Sprint zealots are mentally incapable of processing some things.
First argument:
Don't like the $10 don't get an Evo.
- Sure this may sound easy and expected but it boils down to more than this. The Evo and the Epic are pretty much the only decent smart phones that Sprint has. We can buy an outdated Pre or Hero but will be limited in our web access and experience. Not only are these phones hardware restricted which will prevent future Android updates, but are also limited in their current capabilities. Correct me if I'm wrong, is the Hero still rocking 2.1? All things considered when Android is open-source, someone is making bank off just supplying PHONES.
Second argument:
Don't like the $10 go with "x" carrier.
- This again is stupid. Sprint is the only carrier that gives service in my area. Need I say more? I had T-mobile prior and was getting 1 bar and constantly dropped calls.
Third argument:
Its for 4G.
- Great. Even removing the fact that MOST of us with Evos don't have 4G and probably won't get 4G - the service itself has proved not to be 4G. You might get lucky but after reviewing Engadgets speed averages Sprints 4G is comparable to ATTs fastest 3G but with a 1mbit upload cap. Nice.
All in all - if the $10 was actually justified aka I could see results from it I would have no problem. So far I have seen a medicre phone with good service and lousy 4G performance. I don't think its justified but seeing as how its Sprint or nothing I don't really have a choice.
Lastly, everyone will say oh well its STILL cheaper. Big deal. Just because America is more ethical than Saudi Arabia does it mean that we do everything ethical? No. I can smell better than a homeless person it does not mean that I don't still smell like ****. The amount of logical fallacies that are present in the arguments of the Sprint white knights is absolutely breath taking. On one hand we have average people asking wtf and getting flamed on the other hand we have people like DirtyShroomz who works for Sprint and pays $0 a month for this crap *****ing about people who actually HAVE to pay for this phone.
Get over it - I'm right you're wrong. Its not a matter of maturity its a matter of education.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because you don't see it, means its not justified? I don't know but, your reaching. Its Sprint and every other's carrier's fault that you chose to live in a place where their cell signals can't penetrate? Every marketing strategy is based off of reaching the most people with the least amount of work. They are not going to cater to every remote hick living in the mountains of Alaska, and to even expect that is ridiculous.
The $10 fee is Sprint's cost of doing business (even if its not, that is how they calculate it). Every company strong arms us helpless consumers, and as it has already been pointed out, speak with your money, its what I do. You could go to Walmart and get a $50 phone plan and save back your Cancellation fee in 4 months, and have Cell/test/data. But you would complain about that too.
I do not think that $10 is chump change, but I want the best bang for my buck and a 500kbps download speed for $35-50 is not what I call bang for my buck.... but then I also live in a 4G area. If you don't live in a 4G area or one that would be getting it soon, then getting a EVO or a EPIC was STUPID. You would have been better off with a DROIDX, BUT GUESS WHAT?!?!? Verizon is more expensive. You could have gotten a G2, AGAIN, MORE EXPENSIVE. Get over it, Sprint is not ripping anyone off, anymore than another carrier. But unfortunately if you bought a EVO or EPIC in hopes of 4G (I hope you read up on this phone), then sorry to disappoint. The smartest thing to do would be cut your losses, sell your phone pay off the ETF and move to a different carrier.
FWIW, My mother, brother, sister in law, aunt, and grandmother are with Verizon. They all have recently bought the Droid (Not the X) and they love it. So if you want to be cutting edge and play with the newest toys. THEN PAY FOR IT AND QUIT CRYING!

No AT&T-mobile

Just read the U.S is trying to block AT&T from purchasing T-Mo...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44341803/ns/business-us_business/
lets hope for the best!!!

For the best... Well let's hope that they can't buy T-Mo... and then let's hope for a judged ordered break down of AT&T.... now that would be awesome! Worst case scenarios... AT&T wins and merges T-Mo... and well look at that everyone PRICES go up to par

Yep we'll see. This doesn't mean the merger is completely stopped, but its a big step in the right direction!

Problem is, DT still doesn't want T-Mobile USA, what will they do?
Hey Google...got a little extra cash?
Sent from my T-mobile G2 using Tapatalk

I kinda feel sorry for all those people who jumped ship at the first announcment and are now stuck with verizon...
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

Nospin said:
Problem is, DT still doesn't want T-Mobile USA, what will they do?
Hey Google...got a little extra cash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha good luck. If Google tried to buy T-mo there's no way that would ever go through. We can hope though right?
wesmagyar said:
I kinda feel sorry for all those people who jumped ship at the first announcment and are now stuck with verizon...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's their problem. They're pretty stupid to have jumped to Verizon. Especially considering that at that point if the merger did go through, they were looking at at least 18 months before they saw anything real happen to T-Mobile as we know them now.

thank god. I got At&T for 24 hours to get the new iPhone after being with T-Mobile for 8 years or so and thought their service sucked at least in Tampa. T-Mo was much faster and hella cheaper. The iPhone sucks, it's is all hype. Android all the way!

Personally, I would like to see one of the providers that use T-Mobile network buy T-Mobile. Tsimple Mobile? Walmart?
Or maybe US Cellular or other regional player can get bigger?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

I can understand the sentiments between the services of T-mo and AT&T, but I'm simply looking at this from a bigger picture.
If passed, this means the USA is going more in the direction most people never wanted it to go. Government intervention between our personal, and business lives when, sometimes, there isn't anything to intervene about -- AT&T and T-mobile are big boys, they might not make the best decisions that all their customers approve of, but for the most part they should be able to settle it themselves amicably.
Next thing you know, this situation paves the road for the government managing industries like a nagging granny.
All in all, this looks good in the immediate focus, but not in the prospective future. Who wants things being held at a stop point?

kaijura said:
I can understand the sentiments between the services of T-mo and AT&T, but I'm simply looking at this from a bigger picture.
If passed, this means the USA is going more in the direction most people never wanted it to go. Government intervention between our personal, and business lives when, sometimes, there isn't anything to intervene about -- AT&T and T-mobile are big boys, they might not make the best decisions that all their customers approve of, but for the most part they should be able to settle it themselves amicably.
Next thing you know, this situation paves the road for the government managing industries like a nagging granny.
All in all, this looks good in the immediate focus, but not in the prospective future. Who wants things being held at a stop point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think most people agree that monopolies are generally not a good thing, no matter which end of the political spectrum you're on.

I was originally all for the merger, but after the "changes" and "streamlining" that AT&T has done so far, I think the government is doing the right thing.
As soon as the merger was approved, AT&T goes ahead and "streamlines" their text plan by giving the customers even LESS options. so now you have to either pay 20c per text and 30c per mms OR pay 20 bucks for unlimited.... They claim that the merger would provide better service for the customers and country but they're showing that the merger would make the customers pay more.
I dont know how true this is, but it technically costs AT&T 1 penny to send 5,000 text messages yet, they charge us 20 cent for 1 text message. So after actions like this, I now am completely opposed to the merger and I hope that it will not go through, so I can switch over to Tmobile when my DZ dies.

martonikaj said:
I think most people agree that monopolies are generally not a good thing, no matter which end of the political spectrum you're on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it passes, att would have as much of a monopoly over the US cellular market as android has over the smartphone market right now. It's a decent half, but nowhere near close to the legit term.
I just don't feel it is a good thing for government to intervene, that's my gripe over the issue. It denounces the true meaning for consumer/business capitalism we once hoped to live in.
On a side note, I'm not exactly excited about AT&T fees either. It's a mixed feeling, but I don't let my personal anecdotes get into politics.

kaijura said:
if it passes, att would have as much of a monopoly over the US cellular market as android has over the smartphone market right now. It's a decent half, but nowhere near close to the legit term.
I just don't feel it is a good thing for government to intervene, that's my gripe over the issue. It denounces the true meaning for consumer/business capitalism we once hoped to live in.
On a side note, I'm not exactly excited about AT&T fees either. It's a mixed feeling, but I don't let my personal anecdotes get into politics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be a GSM monopoly, and effectively a cell carrier duopoly between AT&T and Verizon. Sprint wouldn't stand a chance if AT&T consumed T-mobile, and they'd either be bought out or disappear as well. Its just not a good thing for consumers in any way. I'm very anti-government intervention, but I really think they did the right thing here.

kaijura said:
if it passes, att would have as much of a monopoly over the US cellular market as android has over the smartphone market right now. It's a decent half, but nowhere near close to the legit term.
I just don't feel it is a good thing for government to intervene, that's my gripe over the issue. It denounces the true meaning for consumer/business capitalism we once hoped to live in.
On a side note, I'm not exactly excited about AT&T fees either. It's a mixed feeling, but I don't let my personal anecdotes get into politics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it passed than you are looking at a wide variety of possibilities. The death of Sprint and other small carriers, loss of thousands of jobs...
I hate government intervention as well (i'm not a Pastafarian for nothing), but things like this do need to be investigated. Big corporations almost never care about what's in the best interest of the consumer, and mergers that radically change the landscape like this need to be examined.
AT&T didn't try to do this for the greater good, they did it to line their pockets and have more customers to screw over. They would have had too much influence in the wireless market.
Sent from my T-mobile G2 using Tapatalk

on NPR, they said AT&T promised that it would move 5000 call center jobs back to the US, and NO T-Mobile call center people would loose their jobs. I'm not a fan of AT&T and would prolly switch to Sprint once the merger happens. BUT, wouldn't AT&T have to honor all the current contracts at those rates and services and grandfather them for renewal? So if your T-Mo now, you would be able to stay at your current plan indefinitely? It would just effect new customers..no? Plus i've an upgrade available and have been eyeballing the Ruby So would rather not have to switch carriers.

blanthony said:
thank god. I got At&T for 24 hours to get the new iPhone after being with T-Mobile for 8 years or so and thought their service sucked at least in Tampa. T-Mo was much faster and hella cheaper. The iPhone sucks, it's is all hype. Android all the way!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I live I'm Tampa but my service is great
Sent from my T959 using xda premium

tep065 said:
BUT, wouldn't AT&T have to honor all the current contracts at those rates and services and grandfather them for renewal? So if your T-Mo now, you would be able to stay at your current plan indefinitely? It would just effect new customers..no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
technically yes.
but here's how they usually change it on you. You are welcome to continue with your plan, but if you ever upgrade with AT&T into a 2 year contract for a new phone, you MUST go by their plan, in which case considering that AT&T will probably not change their infrastructure anyways, you would NEED a new phone because tmo uses a completley different set of spectrums and methods than AT&T (1 spectrum for uploads, 1 for downloads as opposed to AT&T's 1 spectrum for up and down).
Your current tmobile phone will not get 3g at all.
so essentially you'll be forced to their new plan and you have no say with what you can pretty much get since you know you have to get their $25, 2gb data plan + voice + $20 unlimited text message for sure. the only choice in this matter is whether you're going to downgrade to 200mb (i think not) and which voice plan will you be using.
so yes, they will honor the old contract, but only if you keep your old phone or buy phones at full price from at&t or somewhere else that works with at&t's bands.

tep065 said:
on NPR, they said AT&T promised that it would move 5000 call center jobs back to the US, and NO T-Mobile call center people would loose their jobs. I'm not a fan of AT&T and would prolly switch to Sprint once the merger happens. BUT, wouldn't AT&T have to honor all the current contracts at those rates and services and grandfather them for renewal? So if your T-Mo now, you would be able to stay at your current plan indefinitely? It would just effect new customers..no? Plus i've an upgrade available and have been eyeballing the Ruby So would rather not have to switch carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure they would honor it, but having technologies that don't work together would require a lot of people to "upgrade" and sign a new contract with different rates.
As for the jobs, yes they may have the call center jobs, but what about techs, or duplication of retail stores within a certain area. How many of those would be shut down and people lose their jobs? If they really cared about bringing the jobs home and not just cash, they would've done it already.
To me it just looks like AT&T trying to prevent themselves from sinking in the long run. T-Mobile brought out 4G first, Verizon got the iPhone. Other than having the iPhone first, I don't really see much coming out of them. If this doesn't go through, it wouldn't surprise me to see Spring getting a much larger market share in the next 3-7 years.

On a side note, saw this on bloomberg this morning:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...h-new-t-mobile-buyer-real-m-a.html?cmpid=yhoo
T-mobile to lose $12billion if merger is or isn't done, already lost 600,000+ subscribers and income down 55% since 2011.. holy hell!

kaijura said:
On a side note, saw this on bloomberg this morning:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...h-new-t-mobile-buyer-real-m-a.html?cmpid=yhoo
T-mobile to lose $12billion if merger is or isn't done, already lost 600,000+ subscribers and income down 55% since 2011.. holy hell!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it was pretty well known that T-mobile (and Sprint) is in a really tough spot right now. Neither company has been making money or increasing subscribers in a long long time.

Sprint Playbook shows big changes coming to Premier program, return policy, and more

We just got our hands of a copy of the latest Sprint Playbook, and while we were hoping for some more info about the LG Marquee and Kyocera Milano, what we found was a bit, well, different. It seems that in order to stay competitive with Verizon and AT&T (Sprint's words, not ours), some changes are going to be made to several of the perks everyone on Sprint takes for granted.
For starters, the Sprint Premier program is coming to an end. Current members will be hearing from Sprint sometime after Sept. 16 with all the details, but the short version is starting at the beginning of this month, enrollment in the program stopped, and you'll have to use your current (and final) Premier upgrade on or before Dec. 31, 2012. In addition, the other smaller but just as appreciated perks like accessory discounts and annual anniversary gifts end Dec. 31, 2011. Employees have been instructed how to let everyone down easy, but this will sting no matter how you slice it.
Next up, is a major change to Sprint's 30-day=satisfaction guarantee -- it's getting cut by 16 days. Like we've seen other carriers do, Sprint will now be switching to a 14-day return policy. They will still return everything but the restocking fee, you just have a couple weeks less to make up your mind.
Finally, starting Oct. 2, the "New For You" upgrade time is changing from 22 months, down to 20. Cutting the time down by two months is nice, but will hardly take the sting of losing the yearly Premier benefit away.
Nothing good can last forever folks, and as Sprint reminds us, they have to do something to stay competitive. In the end, it's a business and sometimes you have to rob from Peter to pay Paul. We have some relevant pages of the Playbook after the break.
Source:http://www.androidcentral.com/leake...r-program-return-policy-and-more-and-you-wont

So now everyone gets an upgrade every 20 months?
Deck's + SZ + SuperCharger script + ViperMod script.

Yeaaaah I've been big on Sprint and with this I'm going to start looking around.
Extremely disappointed.
You don't "stay competitive" by cutting benefits that others don't offer

That is just sad... hate the way they keep cutting down (and now killing) Premiere.

Crossrocker said:
So now everyone gets an upgrade every 20 months?
Deck's + SZ + SuperCharger script + ViperMod script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks to be that way. Hopefully it goes into effect right away so I only have to wait till May 1 now to upgrade.

I'm going to wait and see what the iPhone and nexus prime have to offer. What else are they going to take from us?
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

eaguil16 said:
I'm going to wait and see what the iPhone and nexus prime have to offer. What else are they going to take from us?
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Besided unlimited data and cheap prices, what else do they have to take away?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I wasn't Gold anyway, but this still sucks. I hope it isn't due to this iPhone fiasco. But as said, it is a business...
Sent from my supersonic using XDA Premium App

I find this absolutely hilarious.
One week ago, I was told by an Executive Services rep that the changes to Sprint Premier were to give more benefit to their long-term (10+ year) customers, when, actually, they had already started phasing out the benefits for them. (Enrollment into Sprint Premier closed September 1st.) She was even trying to get me to change to a higher rate-plan to get the benefits of Sprint Premier!
So much for customer loyalty. Sprint's a single feather (unlimited data) away from being the same as the rest of the flock. Who really thinks now that it's not going to get plucked? ($10 says they start throttling speeds.)

mattykinsx said:
Yeaaaah I've been big on Sprint and with this I'm going to start looking around.
Extremely disappointed.
You don't "stay competitive" by cutting benefits that others don't offer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the excuse, the real deal is by offering more benefits you also loosing more profit and is not business savvy. They are becoming cheaper like the competitors. Now imagine that with only a few carriers and we gonna have the beautiful monopoly that is being announced and is going to hit us more sooner that we think of.

AA27 said:
That is the excuse, the real deal is by offering more benefits you also loosing more profit and is not business savvy. They are becoming cheaper like the competitors. Now imagine that with only a few carriers and we gonna have the beautiful monopoly that is being announced and is going to hit us more sooner that we think of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it is and I despise when companies do that ****, so I will gladly call them out on it.

Yeah, this blows. I am upgrade eligible 10/01/11, guess I'll grab the 3D.

While this blows I don't think ill be leaving can't go to tmobile if they are to merge w ATT and I hate VZW also I only have a part upgrade available anyways so the 20 months is kinda good for me lol it will be sooner and hopefully by then something that I really want will be out
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

Sorry ill believe it when I see sprint say it. Been with them for 13 years and hear say and "leaked" documents get out all the time. Most of which is not true. We shall see in the end I guess.
free the dirk

Things change and after 10 years what do you expect? I can't wait to see all the BS empty threats of "I'm switching carriers cause of this!!" and all the petitions and suing that will come about because people can't deal with change or get their way.
They still have the better prices the most Android phone and the better selection PLUS unlimited data still. So jump ship if you like or have the balls to BUT don't come back *****ing about the higher prices and tiered plans.

ItsLasher said:
Things change and after 10 years what do you expect? I can't wait to see all the BS empty threats of "I'm switching carriers cause of this!!" and all the petitions and suing that will come about because people can't deal with change or get their way.
They still have the better prices the most Android phone and the better selection PLUS unlimited data still. So jump ship if you like or have the balls to BUT don't come back *****ing about the higher prices and tiered plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol agreed and will be interesting to see all the threats and what not.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

ItsLasher said:
Things change and after 10 years what do you expect? I can't wait to see all the BS empty threats of "I'm switching carriers cause of this!!" and all the petitions and suing that will come about because people can't deal with change or get their way.
They still have the better prices the most Android phone and the better selection PLUS unlimited data still. So jump ship if you like or have the balls to BUT don't come back *****ing about the higher prices and tiered plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see people changing over this.
Sprint is slowly but surely eliminating what makes them the better choice.
Also, with the change of the yearly upgrades for all and then this change shortly after, that will leave a bad taste in some people's mouth.
Which will likely lead to people switching.
Sprint has a bad enough imagine as it is, they don't need to add this to their rep sheet.

ItsLasher said:
They still have the better prices the most Android phone and the better selection PLUS unlimited data still. So jump ship if you like or have the balls to BUT don't come back *****ing about the higher prices and tiered plans.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see this brought up so many times when a carrier makes a change. "They still have A, B, and C; they're still better than X, Y, and Z!"
Better prices, only if you can't get a better discount elsewhere. Better selection is purely subjective. The only thing they have going for them is unlimited data and WiMax, and if you don't live in a WiMax area, that's practically useless.
Also, if you think that unlimited data is going to stay, then more power to you. I, for one, see the writing on the wall. They'll go to throttled data speeds like T-Mobile, or they'll start capping. It makes the most business sense, especially given how much they care about customer loyalty at this point.

Cancel Service
Hello all
I was wondering, now that they are making these changes does that mean we have a window to cancel our contracts with no etf? If so how long does that window stay open? I was looking to pick up the bionic for the LTE and I am willing to gamble that unlimited data is not going to last so there is nothing keeping me with sprint and it would be nice to skip the 70 etf lol

I think so..
I know the premier thing is not on contract but everything else is right?
Deck's + SZ + SuperCharger script + ViperMod script.

Anyone else hearing this?

http://www.ktla.com/business/sns-rt-us-sprint-4gtre7ao1o9-20111125,0,4531202.story
Sent from my MZ505 using Tapatalk

Doesnt surprise me. It will come sooner or later, always knew that.

Currently Sprint's 4G is run off a third party network and the same can be said for the majority of the new 4G LTE rolling out. So Sprint's actual network will remain relatively unchanged aside from some faster 3G speeds after the upgrades.
People speculated the iPhone would cripple Sprint's network on data but when the majority of Sprint's iPhones users switched from Android the network usage stayed basically the same. Thats where AT&T screwed and lied to the customers saying the excessive use of the iPhone was the reason for the tiered plans.
Data use is data use regardless of iPhone or Android.

I don't think its gonna happen any time in the next 12 - 18 months, Dan is still putting out new commercials bragging about unlimited, its sprints only real advantage over the competition, and just because some "analyst" who doesn't even work for Sprint thinks its gonna happen doesn't mean spit. Especially using switching to LTE as his justification, they didn't drop it when they added wimax why would the drop it because of LTE? Makes no real sense, if they went tiered they'd be shooting their own foot off, how many people would stay if they lost the only reason most of us are on Sprint? I think the person who wrote that article must be mad he signed with Verizon last year for unlimited data and big red shoved it up his ass this summer *shrugs*
Sent from my -EViLizED-EVO-

-EViL-KoNCEPTz- said:
I think the person who wrote that article must be mad he signed with Verizon last year for unlimited data and big red shoved it up his ass this summer *shrugs*
Sent from my -EViLizED-EVO-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That made my night, i almost spit my drink onto my laptop from laughing.
I fully expect sprint to eventually end unlimited data, hopefully I can get
grandfathered in on a somewhat future-proof phone before that time. If not,
let the chips fall where they may, because we can't control their decisions,
except with our wallets..and large corporations rarely listen to the paying
customer 'till they get desperate. I'm still contemplating switching to a prepay,
if I can find one with a decent phone, or find one that lets me take my existing
devices with me. Besides, killing iDen, and using that spectrum, plus offloading
some of LTE onto Clearwire's bandwidth will help a little. I don't see Clearwire
complaining a whole lot over the deal, since that means Sprint has no choice
but to keep them afloat in a worst case scenario.

TBH big red really effed my mom a few months back, they set her up with a new plan claiming it would reduce her bill buy 75 a month, her bill was about 275 at that time. Since then her bill has been 400 a month every month and they refuse to fix it. They also sold her devices that were incompatible with her plan and refused to allow her to return them. She's actually contemplating suing them for fraudulent sales practices, its been a nightmare and she's been a customer with them since 1995 pretty ridiculous practices to screw the customer if u ask me
Sent from my Classic-EViLizED-ToMAToFiED-EVo4g-

it's all about marketing and money....
let's see what's happened over time.
1. smartphones come out advertising about how you can use your phone to watch videos and all kinds of other data intensive uses.
2. all the carriers offer unlimited data plans because of all these cool things you can do with them.. no one would have bought them in the first place if they knew they would be metered
3. their networks start to suffer from all the subscribers they've successfully marketed to buy these phones that do all this cool stuff
4. after everyone's bought a smartphone, suddenly the carriers drop the unlimited plans and start charging high prices for small amounts of data, but continue to market you watching videos, making video calls and streaming all this crap.
5. sprint comes out with a novel idea, it starts charging $10 extra just to own a smartphone.. it's reasoning... it can be used to watch videos and other things that suck up data. The very things that all the carriers have been advertising on why you should get a smartphone in the first place.
When you look back, it really sucks the big one. They come out with smartphones and tell everyone all the great things it can do, thus getting millions of people to buy a smartphone. Go crazy everyone, after all, the plans are unlimited, see how cool smartphones are?
Once everyone's bought a phone.. NOW it's time to start cutting everything back that they used to get you to buy the phone in the first place.
It just pisses me off. It's the ole bait and switch. Hey everyone.. check out these cool phones! Look at all these things you can do with them. They market the phones encourgaing you to do all the things that suck up lots of data. Now they've sold everyone a phone, now it's the ole... "I'm sorry, all these people are using their phones doing the things we marketed them to for, but because you're using them that way, we just don't have any bandwidth anymore, so we're going to start charging you by the gig now. And Sprint says.. "hey, we're going to charge you a extra $10 buck a month, just because your phone can do all these wonderful things. Which is why you bought it in the first place
Classic

ItsLasher said:
Currently Sprint's 4G is run off a third party network and the same can be said for the majority of the new 4G LTE rolling out. So Sprint's actual network will remain relatively unchanged aside from some faster 3G speeds after the upgrades.
People speculated the iPhone would cripple Sprint's network on data but when the majority of Sprint's iPhones users switched from Android the network usage stayed basically the same. Thats where AT&T screwed and lied to the customers saying the excessive use of the iPhone was the reason for the tiered plans.
Data use is data use regardless of iPhone or Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree 100% ItsLasher.. When ATT changed midway through my contract and tried to screw me with their new pricing/tiers I told them they could shove it over principle. Cancelled my landline (home phone) prior to that over high costs and fees for just local service.
Seems like there is always an excuse for higher prices and tiers.. some kind of .. Its for the children will be next excuse.. LOL
It didnt take a rocket scientist to see how badly ATT was getting ready to screw folks so I sold both iphone 3s, paid early termination to ATT and went to Sprint for 2 EVOs. Best move I have made.. knock on wood.

Read Carefully
The article was written from the standpoint of the analyst. The writer gives all the bad and dramatic news first, which is from the opinion of the analyst. Then proceeds to wedge in one or two comments from Sprint. I can't quote statistics, but I will bet their customer base grew each time both Verizon and ATT changed their pricing policies. Being the third largest already, and the only provider left to offer unlimited, Sprint MUST know they can't change that. Their network isn't expansive enough.

Another thought occurred to me. Content providers must take notice of these changes. They should be tracking network traffic to know who is using the most bandwidth. I read that Netflix accounts for over 70% of cell network traffic. Even if the real figure is less, which it probably is, att and Verizon customers are telling their kids to wait until there is a Wi-Fi access point while Sprint kids are cruising with Netflix on every grocery run. I'd be willing to bet donuts to demographics there are more families with kids at Sprint too because of their pricing policy. If they change it the will lose every market advantage they have.
1n1tia|c0nt4ct snap bang pow...watch me now.

interloper said:
Another thought occurred to me. Content providers must take notice of these changes. They should be tracking network traffic to know who is using the most bandwidth. I read that Netflix accounts for over 70% of cell network traffic. Even if the real figure is less, which it probably is, att and Verizon customers are telling their kids to wait until there is a Wi-Fi access point while Sprint kids are cruising with Netflix on every grocery run. I'd be willing to bet donuts to demographics there are more families with kids at Sprint too because of their pricing policy. If they change it the will lose every market advantage they have.
1n1tia|c0nt4ct snap bang pow...watch me now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my point, why would they get rid of their one selling point? It's like having one good hand and one gimped up hand and amputating the good hand thinking its gonna make the gimped one work better. Eliminating unlimited would probably end sprint for.good so many customers would run so far so fast it would more than likely bankrupt them.
Sent from my Classic-EViLizED-ToMAToFiED-EVo4g-

I totally agree, Sprint would severely be crippled if they got rid of the unlimited data plans. I would rather pay an extra 5 or 10 dollars a month but keep my unlimited data then be capped, as for most people they wouldn't want to pay more money, which I can understand as well. It is a double edged sword. Only time will tell, although where I live I don't get 4g service, so honestly I think Sprint should concentrate on getting 4g in more areas as opposed to upgrading to 4gLTE. That would stimulate more customers switching to Sprint. In my area Sprint is the only carrier without 4g service so a lot of my friends and coworkers use the other carriers. Whereas if Sprint had 4g I'm sure most of my friends would switch, because even tho they pay more with ATT, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Sprint doesn't have 4g here so all the phones they want really don't serve much of a purpose to them without 4g. I really don't care about 4g just like the price, plus get I discount thru my employer for Sprint