Sprint raises SMS fees, claims no material contract violation
Oh Sprint. Just when we think you’ve redeemed yourselves, you go ahead and pull something like this. America’s most yellow and black carrier has announced that come October 1st, pay-per-use text messaging rates will increase from $.15 to $.20 a pop. This would mark the first jump to $.20 among the major carriers, with the others still huddling together around the $.15 fire. The news here, however, is that Sprint is publicly claiming that this change in rates will not constitute a material breach of contract and, as such, will not qualify customers to be released from their contract sans ETF. Apparently, casual SMS messaging isn’t covered under the terms of contract, most likely due to the fact that it is an opt-in service, meaning that you can choose when to use it, and thus choose when to incur fees. The problem here, however, is that logic isn’t 100% sound. Sure, you can choose when to send a text message, but you have no control over receiving messages, short of barring SMS altogether. As such, we’d wager that Sprint’s statement regarding this upcoming change is more of a scare tactic than it is a legally sound announcement. That said, we’re not guaranteeing anything here. Anyone want to bet on how long it takes before the other Big 3 join the $.20 fiesta?
On Aug 24, 2007 @ 7:22 am, James G Said:
20 cents a text message? You’ve got to be joking right?
How much does it actually cost them to move that tiny piece of data? A thousandth of a cent?
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 8:14 am, gquaglia Said:
SMS is hot right now, with many people using it more then voice. Expect the others to follow suit.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 8:28 am, bye_bye_jack Said:
just buy a text package and go crazy
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 8:32 am, mikeyp Said:
their just pushing people to the packages. .15 to .20 is that really that big if a deal. if you text then just buy the package.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 8:42 am, Jim Said:
Jeez, isn’t a 300 SMS/month package only $5? That’s the equivalent to 25 messages. Quit bitching and pony up for the package.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 9:07 am, Galvatron Said:
I rarly use text messages I have 300 with my egprs modem rarly use em. This tactic is no doubt geard to pressure you into text plans.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 10:02 am, bye_bye_jack Said:
plans are better for everyone. no surprises for customer, steady revenue for company. win win.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 10:06 am, b.N Said:
mikey hit it right on the head, they are herding consumers toward the texting packages using ‘.20c a message’ as the electric prod.
the only ways to beat this is for sprint consumers to quit txting, which won’t happen, or to leave for another provider. unless they see hits to their profit, they will continue to head down this road of consumer gouging.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 10:38 am, test5477 Said:
this isnt gouging. you said it yourself its prodding. Its only gouging if they did not offer any texting plans. quit whining, if you text then get one of the plans.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 11:08 am, Stanley Said:
If they’re going to increase text messaging fees, I hope the extra money goes into developing a method to combat text spam.
Either do that or make incoming text messages free. Or allow users to block text messages completely.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 11:09 am, Pat torney Said:
The other big companies can’t jump on board to quickly. If everyone jumps up to .20 per text right away, doesn’t that look like price fixing? I imagine they don’t want to be facing a big class-action anti-trust suit.
Although, I’ll admit I know nothing about anti-trust, but it just seems like it would raise some red flags to any class-action attorney looking to make a cool multi-million dollars.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 11:24 am, Shaun Said:
This is just ridiculous. I can’t believe it has come to this.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 12:02 pm, JJLO Said:
It has come to this and it seems that the carriers…all of them will do what they want.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 1:10 pm, rio Said:
Sprint has had the ability to block sms messages for over a year.
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On Aug 24, 2007 @ 4:17 pm, Jeff B. Said:
That is f**king insane. Who do they think they are, cingular?
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On Aug 27, 2007 @ 12:31 pm, ppcmd Said:
Obviously they want users on txt msg plans so they can get more for less work. Plan and simple.
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On Aug 27, 2007 @ 2:11 pm, mickeyp Said:
whine whine whine, these are companies in business to make money for their shareholders. They offer good plans for sms, all they are doing is pushing people to get the plans. Nothing illegal or unethical here. And yes they can and always will do what they want, they dont make these decisions without doing research, they see how many people are going to quit sms and how many will sign plans.
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