Sprint preparing to increase data costs?
Chock this one up to the rumor mill for the time being, but word on the street is that Sprint is getting set to increase data costs for new and old customers alike. According to the SprintUsers site, the carrier will be axing their current standalone Vision and Power Vision plans, which start at $15/month, in favor of mandatory Everything plans that begin at $69/month. Sure, the new plans include voice minutes, Sprint TV, GPS nav, and more, but for anyone that was signed up for a simple data-only plan, this will represent a significant cost hike. What’s worse, we’re hearing word that SERO subscribers could be affected, which means that anyone on the current $30 all-in plan could see another $39 on their bill starting next month. Yipes! Again, treat this with caution right now, but if Sprint starts forcibly migrating existing customers to a higher rate plan, we’re pretty sure some heads will roll.
On Jul 2, 2008 @ 8:20 am, Roger Said:
I can confirm that this has gone into affect, at least for anyone getting a new Instinct phone. My wife upgraded to the new Instinct phone last night, 7-1-2008, and we were forced to also upgrade to one of the Anytime plans. We had just upgraded my sons phone to a Centro in May and were forced at that time to go to a more expensive family power pack plan at that time.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 8:26 am, bob cobb Said:
well, good timing because I was feeling really bad about going to a $75 plan for the iPhone with less features than my $30 sero plan
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 8:49 am, Wayne Schulz Said:
There has been a LOT of chatter in the forums about July 13th being a day when new SERO plans roll out.
Some people were being told that after July 13 the Instinct could be activated on a SERO plan - leading people to (probably correctly) conclude that SERO plans were changing on that day. It sounds pretty plausible that data could become an add-on.
I have a Sanyo 8400 on SERO with a $30/mo plan — I’m curious what Sprint would do if I tried to ESN swap onto my Mogul. According to a lot of the forum talk - the expectation is that Sprint will start requiring a data plan for it (under SERO the data is all included for %30/mo).
My conclusion?
If you’ve been thinking about SERO — get one before July 13.
If nothing changes - you’ll be within your 30 day remorse period.
If rates go up - you will be either grandfathered or you can get out of jail free with no ETF.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 9:11 am, will Said:
so if they change the SERO plan, does allow for someone to cancel their contract w/o penalty?
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 9:12 am, champ22 Said:
ok so just for the record is sprint increases our cost for data i could “leave” them with out paying the $200 buck right ?
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 9:21 am, Pom Said:
Chalk this one up….
Chalk, as in take a piece of chalk, and tally it on the rumor chalkboard.
What is with requiring data and voice together? Yeah - it will hurt the people who want nothing but data, but it will also hurt those who want nothing but voice. There are a lot of people who do not use the data feature. Especially on a regular non-pda phone.
Just when Sprint starts to make strides - they take a step back. This could eventually be the right move… but I think it’s too early.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 9:24 am, ElCapo Said:
… Did anyone actually read the forum post associated with this? One dude says he heard from a retentions rep while chatting about SERO that something might happen on 7/13. That’s not exactly proof that “SERO subscribers could be affected”…
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 9:35 am, Cliff Said:
Just signed up for SERO on Monday - it arrives today. If they tell me I need to change the terms of that for ANY reason I will be closing the account, especially since it’s a second phone for me to just be data and keep my Verizon phone for just voice.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 9:55 am, Don Louie Said:
As far as I’ve read the data is only for smartphones, right now data is $15 for basic and an additional $10 for tv, music and nav. What I am reading is the SERO plans will change. Why are the SERO customer the 1st whine when they have the least expensive all inclusive plan on the planet and why is bgr never reporting stories about Sprint that shine a good light like the Instinct sales story or the Sprint branded Diamond
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 10:00 am, Cliff Said:
Don Louie
I, not sure about the rest of society, am not complaining because it’s a SERO plan specifically, but because it’s them forcing you to something other than your agreed terms of CONTRACT. I don’t care if I had a $125 plan in contract - if they (days, weeks, months, whatever) forced me to something different while in that agreement they are WRONG
Now, changing their policy/prices for NEW sign ups is completely different and I would not have a problem with that - but don’t force *current* contracts to also.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 10:04 am, backbeat Said:
Sprint enters the real-world … and all the kiddie-whiners do what they do best. Now that they have no remaining gray-market maneuvers to manipulate, what will they do next? Form their very own, soon-to-be-belly-up MVNO?
Poor thangs.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 10:12 am, MadMike Said:
Is Sprint purposely TRYING to go out of business?
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 10:13 am, Pom Said:
@Cliff:
My hunch is that somewhere, in the very fine print of that contract, those little words “subject to change” may appear. This leaves them open to do what they want.
However - you are right. If it does not state those words in the contract you signed with them - you have a strong case. You signed an agreement with them, and they can not change it.
Even if it does say that - this big of a change sould suck.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 11:03 am, Mike R. Said:
@Don Louie
I think the problem is people wanted a cheap plan and now are being forced to pay more. That’s like telling some who uses a sidekick that they need to raise the price of the sidekick data plan. Some people can’t afford the higher rates, which is why they wanted a cheap plan.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 11:08 am, The Sgt Said:
I highly doubt they will force change on customers with existing plans. How many times have wireless carriers changed rates plans, and how many times have they MADE you switch? The 20 cent text messaging doesn’t count…but has anyone recieved a call from Sprint saying, sorry, you’ve had your fair and flexible plan for too long, you’re going to have to change it? You might have to change plans to go to the Instinct, but that’s it. No company would be as stupid to MAKE it’s existing customers switch plans as it would be a breach of agreement and you’re opening the door for anyone to leave.
Let’s not forget that the people writing on this site, hate Sprint and like to bend the truth and dog on them whenever possible.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 11:58 am, Don Louie Said:
Plans change all the time, as long as you aren’t adding anything (which SERO only needs nav) or upgrading there won’t be a forced plan change. Please SERO subs stop crying, what I’m reading is the SERO plans price will be raised and the name will be SE Plus. The new plans will still be less than the current plans
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 12:00 pm, Tommy Said:
I call BS, this would be suicide for Sprint. They are VERY worried about churn and this would cause existing user’s to leave in mass.
Will there be a specific plan for SERO Instinct users? Yes, but I doubt they would force everyone to pay for services they may or may not want.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 12:01 pm, Brandon Said:
I just wanted to say a couple things, I work for Sprint. As far as we have heard they are not increasing any data plans. Even if they do, they cannot increase the cost of customer’s data that is already with us, instead it just becomes grandfathers. And when it comes to upgrading any phone to the Instinct, the plan must be one of the ones that include the talk/ msg / data plans, ie the simply everythings or the talk / msg / share plans.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 12:28 pm, champ22 Said:
@ The Sgt
i actually have sprint and love them …their edvo can be a little faster in my area but thats another story ….i want out of my contract because lately i’ve been diagnosed with what they call “ooo…. i want it” bronchitis syndrome (10 out of 8 geeks have it and the US is doing nothing about it) its when you just cant control the sensation of having the latest and greatest gadgets….its a shame i know…more people should work on a cure and by cure i mean just keep pumping out new toys like once a week!!!
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 1:45 pm, Don Louie Said:
champ22, your only option would be to in to T Mo or ATT and buy unlocked phones from BB or overseas, would they be able to connect to the data network though? Going to any CDMA carrier won’t help, good luck to you
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 2:39 pm, Sprint? Said:
If they raise rates (which I expect that they will) it should have no bearing on customers currently on SERO. However, when your contract expires and you want to a new fancy phone (i.e. Diamond) you will be required to move to a SEP. That’s my guess.
Why do I say that - well we have precedent with the Instinct. Even those using SERO OOC have not been able to simply upgrade to an Instinct. They are being forced off their $30 plan.
By eliminating “smart” devices from the current SERO plan users will be forced to either upgrade to a SEP OR they will be relegated to picking devices that don’t use data (negating the bulk of the value that comes with being on SERO). In the end they probably won’t get rid of SERO - rather they will make conditions so miserable for SERO customers that they will either jump to a SEP or to a competitor.
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 2:54 pm, Galvatron Said:
oh yeah the unlocked stuff they have over seas pwns
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 4:11 pm, champ22 Said:
@ Don:
so your saying i need to find a iphone from over seas then try to get it to work on CDMA? the only info i have was WAY back in the day when there was talk about the iphone in Jamaica (apparently jamaica is completely CDMA down there)
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 5:35 pm, Don Louie Said:
I was saying that if you want choices on CDMA the phones are limited to the carriers, no Voyager/Glimmer on Sprint or Upstage/Instinct on Vzw
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On Jul 2, 2008 @ 10:08 pm, Jeff B. Said:
As overall profits decrease. This is another step to assuring their imminent doom.
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