Sprint Apologizes; Simply Unlimited Available for All Devices
Yesterday’s post as to whether or not Sprint’s new Simply Unlimited plan was available for BlackBerry devices posed the question, "Is this a case of false advertising or just another snafu from poorly trained customer service representatives?" Sprint PR sent us an email yesterday apologizing for any confusion and confirming that the latter is the case, thankfully. They asked that we help clarify the details of their Simply Unlimited plan here on BGR, and so we will.
The $99 plan includes BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS: access to Web, other data services as available on BlackBerry devices; no corporate server access). Access to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES: corporate server, access to corporate email/calendar/contacts/firewall) is available for an additional $20 premium.
So there you have it. Sprint’s unlimited options are in fact at the top of the big four pile regardless of which handset you carry. The email assured us that customer care representatives have been undergoing training on the new plans around the clock since Simply Unlimited was announced, but that we (and several BGR commentors) likely spoke to reps who had not yet received all relevant training. Moving forward, it might not be such a bad idea to train all employees prior to the release of new plans and features so that new and existing customers don’t have to pull some Sherlock-like sleuthing to figure everything out. But hey, who are we to judge? (wink, wink)
If you’re a potential or existing Sprint customer interested in the Simply Unlimited plan tied to a BlackBerry, just keep calling back until you get someone who can help you. BGR Reader Sprintmgr gave us two numbers that might help speed the process up as they go directly to Sprint’s Data and BlackBerry support teams: (877) 626-1441 if your on the old billing system, and (877) 654-9111 if you’ve been switched to the new billing system.
That would have been incredibly ridiculous if they did not give blackberry user that plan.
Well that makes more sense glad they cleared it up. This is a hell of a deal.
Good deal but just proves there customer service isnt on the same page. Its a shame i always liked there phones and coverage.
I love sprint plan prices but their customer support sucks ballz. Seriously.
If they could just get rid of their overseas customer support their satisfaction ratings would be stellar.
I have a blackberry 8830 on sprint and love the phone but hate india tech support. I talk to blackberry tech support out of kentucky or no one at all.
Come to think of it, sprint needs to retain their entire staff on how to get on the same page before everyone leaves. I tried ATT for a week, but they sucked just as bad with a slower network and higher prices.
Sprint can right its train. They just have to do it soon.
sprint is wack
verizon all the way
I don’t think even the boy genius can help Sprint’s woes these days.
“On Mar 1, 2008 @ 6:25 pm, Ryan Said:
Well that makes more sense glad they cleared it up. This is a hell of a deal.”
Agree.
I think Sprints motto should be. “if you going down, bring everyone
else down with you!”
for all those of you in the contract side of the wireless industry better put the resume together.
So Telenav is included in this?
What would it take to give all of it’s employees a 30 minute training to educate them on what the plan includes and does not included and a refresher on how to provision the plan to the individuals account.
“What would it take to give all of it’s employees a 30 minute training to educate them on what the plan includes and does not included and a refresher on how to provision the plan to the individuals account.”
That is exactly what is happening, team by team 30 minute training on the new plans.
When I switched over to the plan, the set up the wrong code on my account. Then, after reading the first post here, I called and the rep I spoke to told me that code for Blackberry had not been input into my account.
Minutes after the change was made I started to receive my emails again.
And actually, I received and email on my BB this morning with a link to download Telenav, which is included with my new plan!
And to think I was going to change to T-Mo when my contract was up. I’ll be sticking with Sprint for a long time now!
Hopefully the Sprint ship will remain afloat for long while.
yes telenav is included with all devices
So what about tethering, I would assume that is an extra monthly charge?
Phone as Modem or “Tethering” is not currently possible with the new plan. A note about Telenav, it is included with compatible devices. If you have a device that currently requires an external receiver (Palm/Most Win Mobile devices) you will still need that external receiver and you would still be paying the monthly charge for the service to Telenav.
It is a great plan. I’ve been with Sprint for a long time and have had good success with them. However, I have 4 lines on my account, they want $99 for each plan with a $5 discount for the first, $10 on the second etc. It didn’t make sense for me. So I’ve kept my old plan with the $39 unlimited BlackBerry for my 8830, which by the way I love.
Those who are imploring Sprint to train their support people have the _almost_ right idea. What is being overlooked is that Sprint’s support (technology)infrastructure does not support those in Support. Train them all you like, but unless you believe that every phone, under every consumer and every business plan is committed to air-tight human memory, you’re hoping against hope as Support’s resources are what are failing them first, not the training. Correcting that area calls for major reinvestment, which (obviously) Sprint cannot afford and no restructuring, at this point, could justify. They’ve shot off their last remaining toe.