Sprint Removing Unlimited Data on 4G WiMAX - November

Matt · 3Gstore Employee Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 1348

In November when this change happens customers enjoying unlimited 4G WiMAX will no longer have that luxury and will be billed $.05/MB for going over their limit. This will effect anybody using a 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot or USB Modem.

More details are available here - Sprint Removing Unlimited Data from Wireless Modems, 4G WiMAX Included

Bert65 · Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2011 11:37 am Post subject:

This doesn't affect me as I still have a Verizon 3G unlimited account, for now a least. But if a broadband supplier makes a change as drastic as this, the customer should be able to drop the contract with no 'Early Termination Fee'.

Am I right about this or are the Wireless Companies have the power to change whatever they please and we have no option but to accept it???

tivoboy · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 01 Aug 2009 Posts: 24

So, I have HAD my 3g unlimited for about four years now. continue to use/keep it since it was well, unlimited and cheaper 50$ a month. I wonder what is going to be happening with that plan, and my SERO plan that has unlimited on my smartphone?

hikerjim · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2011 Posts: 5

Would like to know if I can get out of my contract..guess pay a visit to sprint tomorrow. Wonder how the Verizon pay as you go is....smoke coming out my ears Mad

tivoboy · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 01 Aug 2009 Posts: 24

with a move like this EVERYCAN get out of their contract

SlyFerret · EVDO Junkie Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 284

How much data do you guys actually use each month?

When I read about this change, I decided to see how much I use.

I looked over the past ~6 months worth of bills, and my wife and I average about 600-700 MB per month on each of our lines. I don't think we had any months over 1 GB on either of our phones.

We both use them a lot, both for work and personal stuff. I was surprised how little we actually used.

-SF

Bert65 · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject:

hikerjim · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2011 Posts: 5

Mine varies a bunch, range of 12g to 17g. I work from home, have for almost 5 years now, 2 kids and wife with iPad and 2 other computers
This is a back killer for me living in the sticks..guess my fault for wanting to live on farm

poopskooper · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 116

The caps and the lack of grandfathering seem to be specifically addressing the 3G/4G plans.

I have a grandfathered unlimited 3G plan. Does everybody think that this plan will also be "un-grandfathered?"

They've threatened to take away the grandfathering before but as a two or three top-tier representatives have told me before, grandfathering is standard in the industry and "their policy" has always been that a customer can keep the terms and price of the plan that they originally signed up under.

One rep was bold enough to tell me to enjoy my "unlimited" as it will never be taken away as long as my account is in good standing.

Several years ago, some of us were quite upset that we would be losing our grandfathered status but that never developed. Hopefully, those with current 3G/4G accounts will also have nothing to worry about.

SlyFerret · EVDO Junkie Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 284

Ok, I think I read the OP wrong. I was thinking this applied to handset plans, not modems and hotspots.

On my Verizon LTE modem that I use for home Internet, I usually end up just under 10 gigs each month in my 10GB plan, mostly because my wife and I have been working from home a lot lately. On home Internet, I'd like to have a limit of 20-30 gigs. That would handle home and work Internet well, and let us make a little more use of the 4G speed.

At $.05 per MB, that is about $50 per GB, 10 times the $10/GB overage charge that VZW has on their 4G plans.

I think this is a mistake for Sprint if they don't at least make the overage fees more reasonable.

-SF

jimlit · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 25

Until I receive a mailed official notice from Sprint about them attempting to change my signed contract which I currently have, I will not take any action. I have been with Sprint about 6 years, first grandfathered in with a 3G and now with unlimited 4G. Personally, I think this is all about them getting the new iphone and the additional demands on their service that new customers may create for Sprint. I also have a Verizon smartphone with unlimited 3G and have been extremely pleased with both this phone and Verizon in general for over 20 years. So if Sprint decides to change their business model, then I guess I can change mine and they lose me as a customer.

poopskooper · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 116

askat1988 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:40 am Post subject:

Here is the notice I got on my bill today:

Mobile Broadband Data Allowance
Change
Eff. on your next bill, Mobile Broadband Data
Plan 4G usage will be combined with your
current 3G monthly data allowance and no
longer be unlimited. On-network data
overage rate for 3G/4G is $.05/MB. Monitor
combined data usage at sprint.com. Please
visit sprint.com/servicechange for details.

I have had the unlimited 3G since 2007, using waaay more than the 5G limit every month. Definitely a wait and see thing.

When things changed years ago there were a few people here (probably sprint employees) trying to stir the pot and cause panic. They were telling people they should only use 5G to be safe. Total BS. Result, nothing happened. Maybe this will be the same, but I am not as confident this time. Backup plans in motion.

Matt · 3Gstore Employee Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 1348

Just a quick update guys:

I spoke with a customer today that dealt with retention for over an hour and Sprint was unwilling to grandfather them into the unlimited terms they signed. It doesn't look good, but I'd hold on because you never know if Sprint will change their minds. I'd be amazed if they didn't honor their unlimited contracts because they did it with 3G devices originally and all other major carriers do it.

poopskooper · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 116

I agree that nobody should panic and jump ship ...yet.

As I related in a previous post, some of us had this same anger and sense of panic when Sprint announced that they would not grandfather those with unlimited 3G. Some even received letters that they would no longer have unlimited 3G but be capped at 5gb (I never did receive the letter).

Many Sprint reps initially told us that, yes, we'd not be grandfathered. However, as I mentioned, when talking to the next level representative, I had several later tell me that it was Sprint's policy and has always been their policy to allow customers to retain the plans they initially signed under for as long as their accounts remain in good standing.

One second-level rep told me that she routinely bumps into customers who have had their voice plans for years that are far and and above superior to the plans currently being offered.

I had one second-level rep tell me to "enjoy your unlimited internet access because you'll have it as long as you want" (as long as I keep paying my account on time and do not abuse the service ...or that being implied, anyway). I asked him if he'd be willing to note that on my account and he said "certainly, I'll make that notation and will explain what we talked about today." Whether he did or not I have no idea.

I truly believe that if any carrier wants to uphold the goodwill toward their customers, they should continue to uphold their policy of "you can keep the terms and price of the plan you initially started with." If they administer this inconsistently, then I would not continue to do business with such a company.

Let's hope that Sprint will stay consistent with their "grandfathering" policy.