Are you going to cancel Sprint EVDO because of 5GB cap?

twotriangles · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 10

I'm going to switch to Comcast. I don't need EVDO, I just thought the convenience of going mobile was worth the price difference compared to my previous DSL (plus my current location is getting faster than DSL speeds).

I don't use or own a television, so between watching online video of a very few favorite shows and my web development job, I exceed 5gb every month. I tried Verizon wireless last year, but then I noticed the fine print and the cap so I cancelled during the trial period.

Now I'm in the trial period for Sprint, and BAM, they make this change. There are so many free wireless hotspots in my town that switching to cable won't make much of a difference, and it's faster.

Nikodaemos · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 25

gohawk08 · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 103

radiorange · EVDO User Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 52

The change applies to everyone, per this email from Sprint eCare:

"Thank you for contacting Sprint. I understand that you wish to know
about Boradband Connection Plans.

Yes, you are correct that the change is for all the customers. This
change goes into effect for all customers as of 7/13/08.

Why are we putting usage limitations or thresholds on our Mobile
Broadband usage?

Sprint believes that all of our customers should get the best service
possible from their broadband. That means speedy downloads for all
users, not just a few.

When someone is downloading a particularly large amount of information
over a long period of time, repeatedly, it can slow down speeds for
other users who might just be checking their e-mail or browsing online.

So to make sure Sprint service is fair for everybody, Sprint is
encouraging the right kind of use on the network.

Why are we notifying customers via a bill message?

By notifying customers of this change in usage limitations via a bill
message, it allows customers the opportunity to review their data
usage.

Customers may opt out of their Sprint service with no penalty on the
line of service impacted by this change if they are not in agreement
with the change.

Customers must opt out of their Sprint contract within 60 days based on

the day they receive their bill message regarding the change in data
usage.

Thank you again for contacting Sprint. We appreciate your business.
"

Of note in this:

How am I to review my usage when 1) Sprint has never provided it to me since I signed up in July 2003 and 2) Sprint does not provide it in my account through Sprint.com?

I filed a complaint with the FCC regarding the change from unlimited to metered with no way to meter the usage.

winger · EVDO User Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

How do I even tell how much data I used? First, I normally connect to my laptop directly using Sprint Connection Manager. Sometime I use the Cradle350

On the direct laptop connect, I normally have it plugged in about 8 hrs/day. On the connection mgr, I see it pulls at least 150MB/day - I do light browsing, the email Outlook "check for messages" does alot of data. Website auto refreshes does alot data also.

amanda · EVDO User Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 39

Well, as others informed me on the other thread, you can retroactively see how much usage you have used in previous months by logging into your account at Sprint.com.

But you're right, in order to be fair, they have to provide you with a fairly up-to-date running total of your bandwidth usage as they do with voice service.

To have you meter your own service is absurd in my opinion. Why should we have to pay to download the DU meter? I want to know how close I'm coming each month from being capped by Sprint's meters, not one that I don't know for sure is matching what Sprint's figures are for what I'm using.

It's just unfair!! How many ways can I say this!?

~~amanda

winger · EVDO User Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

amanda · EVDO User Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 39

Semi75 · EVDO Junkie Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 230

Hmm looks like I'm in trouble, 17gb in Jan/Feb. Granted those were winter months ans I was dloading much more than usual but that's what I'm paying for, to use it. Im curious if they will cancel you over the 5gb limit or bill you for the extra. If I'm billed one penny for overage I'll cancel asap but if not I'll just let them cancel me, it's thier loss since I have two plans, one for me and one for my wife. If one goes, they both go.

herlien · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject:

waynefoutz · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 189

* your estimate of average monthly data usage
10-15 gb

* whether EVDO is your primary or secondary internet connection.
Secondary, but I drive a truck and am only home 4 days a month.
* whether you use EVDO from a fixed location, or while traveling
traveling
* whether or not Cable/DSL or other 'mainstream' internet access is
availabe to you
Have roadrunner at home, but I'm never there.
* how many people typically use the connection at any one time.
just me
* what kinds of activities you routinely use the connection for.
some browsing, lots of streaming, mainly on hulu.com, youtube and
netflix online.
* how many hours a day you think your connection is 'active'.
2-4
* whether or not you use an EVDO router with your device.
no.

I don't know what I'm going to do. It's not 1994 anymore with the web full of static pages with mostly text. I think this is nonsense. Sprint is the third 3g carrier I've signed on with, I have fled Verizon and AT&T because of 5 gig caps. It seems like it just follows me wherever I go. Three times I have been promised unlimited data and three times I've had that promised revoked. I've only been with Sprint a few months. I guess I could flee again to Alltel, but how soon will it be before they impose it as well? One hour of streaming video is about 200 mb's on the sites that I use. About the only way I can see to avoid the limits is to set your modem to 1xrtt only, and do nothing but email and message boards.

waynefoutz · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 189

josw · EVDO User Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 69

waynefoutz · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 189

MichiganTim · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 107

1. As to this Cap I had a gut feeling I didn't want to go to evdoforums the last couple of days, so I have been kinda staying away from it, when I have had some free time. Then I come here tonight and find this out. What a Kick in the crotch. At the moment I am leaning towards canceling my service. How dare Sprint tell me I am capped because everyone is doing it. (i.e. the mobile broadband industry). I purchased unlimeted plan for a reason. And to change the policy just because they can, Because they have some lingo jingo at the bottom of my contract that I can't read or understand just so they can pull this one on me. I don't think so SPRINT. Espicially when 5gb is not a resonable throttle in my opinion.
2. I once was so excited about wimax/xohm/sprint. Was proud to be a customer. I think I need to go find the trash can so I can Puke!
3. I started out with the PCIMCA card with EVDO only. Then hapily payed full price to upgrade to a s720 for rev. A. Then Purchased a new computer that only had an express slot and payed full price for a EX720 card. Lastly I decided to add a cell phone line to my service, since I was purchasing my broadband. Again I was proud to be a sprint customer. (Note: I also payed for a years worth of service up front, not the typical customer, and not the type of customer I think you want to piss off)!
4. I use this as my sole connection, along with used on travel for buisness trips. Liked the added security it gave me over a wifi connection on a hotel or not having to purchase a wifi connection in a airport! Surprised you didn't use the added security it gives ya in a advertisement for buisness users. I would imagine it's harder to hack into a notebook on cellualr then a open wifi connection.
5. Labeling a contract with unlimited, then changing the contract because you can is just wrong! Simply put. And I will no longer support your service or invest in it's future technology, let alone your company!
6. If you do go through with this I will find a diffrent means of getting my internet/cell phone service.
7. IF you have a 1% amount users abusing it. Then go after them, the ones that are sending terabytes or hundreads of Gbyts a month. But the users that do exceed the 5 gbytes you should not be penalizing them.
8. Look at Apple. Apples name slash brand is a culture. And in some cases that is what you had with this little device I slide into my computer. I think this website is attestament to that. And with a simple letter you have destroyed it and everything it has become. And most likly it will destroy you. Because I for one will not stand by or up for it! I am pissed, I wish Sprint was open right now to cancel my contract!
9. I think it will be interesting to see how many users you will have when this whole cap thing unravels. I understand you have to be profitable. But don't blame me, when you started the unlimited plan.
10. I am not a heavy user, or heavy downloader, or streaming video. But I liked having the freedom to surf the web and do as I please for a price, and that was the contract I signed. I also have advertised your service to co-workers/friends.
11. It's a real shame you have come to this low of low's! And if this how you plan on doing buisness your wimax/xohm is doomed!
12. Do everyone a favor and sell off your Wimax/xohm service! I wounder how much buisness other companines are going to want to do with you when they see how you trest your long standing customers that have stood by your side! I am so pissed off right now!
13. Not to mention a capped plan is not what I signed up for or want! I want an unlimited plan. Since you are renigging on your part of the contract I have nothing better to say then:

SPRINT BEND OVER AND GRAB YOUR ANKLES. CAUSE I AM ENDNG MY PHONE/BROAD BAND SERVICE! <--- now i thought this was the perfect color for you nothing but a pooh head that can't manage there money, and does nothing better but piss off there customers! Evil or Very Mad

On another note:
1. Maybe 3G store should see about getting investores togeather and start there own mobile broadband company. Lease sprints and verizons towers. So that a class act can actually provide a service that everyone wants. With a tiered service plan up to a unlimited plan. I think there is plenty of users that would be all for a un-capped reasonably priced mobile network, or at least a capped plan that meats there demands and the techonlogical needs of the year 2008. 5Gig is rediculous and unsatisfactory today.
2. Look at all of the mobile phone users today that don't have lan lines. Look how the demographics have changed since back when cell phones came out. Now cell phone providers love it when some one cashes in there land line for a mobile phone. I would think sprint would want to progress in the sam fassion with moble broadband and the cable/dsl companines and scoop up market share.
3. Hmm I seem to recall comcast is investing in xohm. Maybe sprint made a backdoor contract with comcast, until wimax goes on line,

Lastly:
Surly 3G Store would like to help me migrate over to Alltell, as it seems they have coverage in michigan. And I think /alltel would appreciate my buisness and investmate in them! Can I buy a cell phone plan through the 3G store for AllTel?
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Vista64,EX720