Sprint Launches Unlimited Access Plan
Desperations of a sinking ship? The "unlimited" thing didn’t really seem to work out all that well for Voce, but it looks like Sprint is going to give it a try anyway. Amidst the chaos brought about by dwindling subscriber numbers, layoffs and store closings, the troubled carrier has announced the availability of its Unlimited Access plan. After testing the waters in a few markets during 2007, Unlimited Access is now available nationwide and can be tied to any Sprint device. Truth be told, it’s a pretty sweet plan on paper. $119 per month before taxes gets you:
- Unlimited voice calling
- Unlimited SMS
- Unlimited web
- Unlimited email
- Unlimited picture mail
Smartphones will still need a separate Power Vision pack or BlackBerry data plan which is a bit disappointing, but it looks like all of the other bases are covered. Even with the extra data plan though, Unlimited Access still falls about 25% below Voce’s sunken $200 plan. Oddly, for the time being, the Unlimited Access plan is not available online so to sign up you’ll have to head out to a Sprint store or give them a call. Sprint’s 30-day guarantee still applies so if you happen to come to your senses within the first month you can always cancel penalty-free, pay for your actual usage, and head for the hills.
UPDATE: Sprint hit us up to let us know that while the "Unlimited Access Pack" is legit, it’s only available in the San Francisco, Philadelphia, Tampa, and Minneapolis-St. Paul markets. No word on whether this will actually be a national offering…
On Feb 6, 2008 @ 12:55 pm, gquaglia Said:
Sprint is hardly a sinking ship. No wonder people think Sprint is doomed with FUD reporting like this. Sprint has double the amount of subscribers and a far superior network then t mobile has, but no one is saying that company is headed toward extinction.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 1:13 pm, Galvatron Said:
if only they were GSM
an didn’e over bill ther customers in the late 90’s they ar sinking and forced to be compettive
now if they wannablow out veizon they gotta play ball
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 2:51 pm, happy tech Said:
This is crazy expensive considering SERO is still available.
Checkout www.sprint.com/sero and you will see what I mean.
Use this email to sign up: savings@sprintemi.com
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 3:35 pm, PointBlank Said:
When a company loses 25% of it’s value in one day, then a couple weeks later writes off $31 billion in goodwill - the entire value that was once Nextel - it’s fair to refer to it as a sinking ship. Just ask the more than 1 million customers who jumped from that sinking ship last year. But who’s to worry - the water’s fine!
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 3:58 pm, Ken Said:
At the time of the Sprint/Nextel merger, the two companies where collectively worth 70 billion… today, they are worth 24 billion.
Grab a life raft!
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 4:14 pm, Cubeman Said:
It amazing how many people will just say with nothing to back it up. Also way to go there misrepresenting actual news. Geez people its not hard to do some research.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 4:19 pm, MilenkoD Said:
OK…their C/S really sucks and their billing has gotten better over the past 3 years.
But it takes a savvy user to make the best of Sprint. Just don’t deal with CS if you don’t have to (e-care is far better). My current Sprint plan has proven to be $2K less than VZW and AT&T over the life of a 2 yr commitment. I’ll take the $2 large, buy some whores and decent champagne and feel good about sh*ty C/S phone reps.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 4:47 pm, Hinano Said:
Unlike Sprint, T-mobile is GAINING not LOSING customers.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 5:03 pm, Ben Said:
um gquaglia, why dog t-mo? if we were dogging we mightmention that sprint which has headquarters in Kansas City has worse coverage in it’s own backyard than t-mo’s, or att’s, or verizon, or alltell, or cricket, need i say more
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 5:15 pm, mean eddie g Said:
Sprint is in trouble is only a matter of perception, lately everyone says they are in trouble, hence they must be, thats how it all starts,…If I wanted to be negative here I would say I bet Helio is doing better with their all in one at 99.00 and its nationwide, I know it doesn’t have the phone selection Sprint has but hey their stuff is good enough. Everyone just needs to be a bit wee more patient and have a look see attitude before putting the proverbial dagger through Sprint.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 5:34 pm, gquaglia Said:
@mean eddie
Bashing Sprint is a popular past time with many writers. Much was made over the jettisoning of thousands of deadbeat customers like it was a bad thing. More is made by a drop in subscribers when many of these defections were not by Sprint Users, but by unhappy Nextel users that Sprint inherited in the merger.
I’ve been with Sprint for years and have had zero problems. Those complaining about customer service are most likely difficult customers who would have problems with any CS that didn’t kiss their ass and give them everything for free or a discount. Sprint has an excellent network and affordable high speed data. So bash Sprint all you want. All that will be accomplished is one less carrier and higher prices from Verizon and ATT.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 5:39 pm, gquaglia Said:
And one more thing. The iphone has probably done more to siphon customers away from Sprint then other factors.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 6:27 pm, Feech Said:
Yeah, it does seem very popular to write the final act for Sprint these days. Sprint is not without problems though. Customer service is horrible and this is coming from someone that only calls 3 times a year. But I have to say the coverage is great, and the plans they have are better AND less confusing than all other carriers. Lets let the curtain close before we applaude the final act.
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 6:31 pm, gquaglia Said:
If anyone is interested, this is how many subscribers each carrier has as of 12/07
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_of_the_Americas#United_States
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 9:39 pm, Len Pace Said:
Your URL goes to SERO but “savings@sprintemi.com” does not work. Says it can’t be accessed via this method. You know of another way?
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On Feb 6, 2008 @ 9:53 pm, blabbinit Said:
Wow, what a deal. I am in! It’s not bad for all of the things that are included in the plan. Currently I own a Sidekick 3. I wonder if the email, internet, etc. out-do the SK3. Looks great!
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On Feb 7, 2008 @ 1:28 am, Allen Said:
I’m in Tacoma, Wa. and They wouldn’t quit frickin asking me if I wanted this back when I got my BroadBand Card back in August…
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On Feb 7, 2008 @ 9:59 am, SillyFreak Said:
Umm, T-Mobile added almost four million subs last year. T-Mobile MAKES money, it doesn’t lose it. In fact, its pretty fair to say that T-Mobile USA is the cash cow for DT. Sprint, on the other hand, is losing money, subscribers and employees. Superior network? I guess if you use their high-speed access card. Other than that, differences among the four major carriers in terms of domestic coverage is minimal these days, despite what the perception may be. Oh, and I can make a call in HUNDREDS of countries around the world on my T-Mobile phone. Oh, did I mention my TMO phone also works on Wi-Fi? Try that with Sprint.
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On Feb 7, 2008 @ 10:38 am, l0tv024 Said:
Sprint has the worst cusomer service in the entire business world. They are sinking fast, that’s why they lost a record number of subscribers and their CEO ran like a rat off a sinking ship. Goodbye and good riddance!
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On Feb 8, 2008 @ 5:41 am, indyalex Said:
Sprint’s customer service is a joke,now the joke is on them..
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On Feb 8, 2008 @ 12:17 pm, janet william Said:
T-Mobile is replacing Sprint business daily for coverage issues. It is not twice the tmobile network. They are spending over 10 billion $ in 08 to out preform all their competitors. Lookout everyone
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On Feb 8, 2008 @ 12:19 pm, janet williams Said:
“Twice” you need to read up more from sources other than ones Sprint published. Go to JD Power & Assoc. Update your knowledge base.
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On Feb 8, 2008 @ 12:24 pm, janet williams Said:
T-Mobile has only been in this country a short time compared to the others. AT&T has twice as many users but their profits last year were /2 of TMO. They use best business practices that all could learn from. At the end of 08, they will be untouchable. What they are rolling out this year is unreal.
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On Feb 8, 2008 @ 12:25 pm, janet williams Said:
not sure what lanet you are from
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On Feb 17, 2008 @ 9:10 am, Don Louie Said:
Verizon is launching a $99 unlimited voice plan soon so this is competitive considering text and data is included they just need to make this available nationwide
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