Sprint EVDO for PDAs only $15 for existing Vision users?

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2001

Several have called Sprint about data plans for the new EVDO phone and it appears there is no additional EVDO charge for existing Vision users. I suspect, if true, it will only be that cheap until EVDO is officially rolled out more broadly. Unoffically, Sprint appears to have EVDO available in most metros. Some say that new users will eventually be charged $30/month for EVDO.

http://www.pdaphonehome.com/forums/showthread.php?s=8439119fa8d92bd6dcca60b2ad3abca2&threadid=55909

xchpstang · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:58 pm Post subject:

There is actually a $10 Vision plan that would cover unlimited EVDO usage on smartphones. They are supposed to charge 2 Vision packs on Pocket PC devices which are either 10 and 10, 15 and 15, or 15 and 10. They rarely enforce this as most Pocket PC users pay 15 for unlimited data and now 10 for only unlimited browsing on Vision Access pack. The worse they could do with EV-DO is enforce the 2 Vision pack requirement for PPC smartphones which would be a reasonable 20-30 dollars and still much cheaper than Verizon with what appears to be similar coverage now per this link:

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/wirelessHighSpeedData_tabC.jsp

They do claim more coverage than Verizon but keep in mind that this is up to 8-30-05. I think Verizon rolled out a few more cities after that and keep in mind that those Sprint coverage maps suck big time since they are way outdated. However the list shown on this page seems to reflect the current coverage which is pretty good compared to how fast it was rolled out.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2001

That's interesting that Sprint now claims to be in more markets. It might be a stretch, because they may count an airport only. But the rollout does appear to be metro-wide to more markets each week. They need to update those coverage maps. Where's the advertising blitz?

With cheaper data and supposedly better coverage than Verizon, the game has begun.

Will be interesting if Sprint will officially support DUN access on DO smartphones.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2001

Hmm... they do distinguish airports from markets. 100 airports and 75 markets today. If true, they could have passed Verizon.

They must have aggressively bumped up the schedule. I didn't expect Sprint to pass Verizon until next year.

xchpstang · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:02 am Post subject:

Well the good news is Sprint Nextel will be keeping the EV-DO pricing much more competitive for PDA's than Verizon: $15 vs. 45.
Sprint Soft Launches Power Vision

www.pcsintel.com

"Sprint today began the soft launch of Power Vision. Power Vision is the Vision service required for EV-DO devices. Pricing is similar to Vision, but requires the 100 SMS bundle be added. This will raise the baseline Vision price for EV-DO devices to $15, and matches Verizon's EV-DO VPack price.

For more in-depth analysis of Power Vision, and its comparisons to our previously reported Vision 2.0, check out Sprint PCS Info's coverage. "

Now if they could only work on the marketing and advertising...

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2001

Sounds like many are actually getting unlimited EVDO for only a $10-$20/month Vision account. Is Verizon's VPack for certain features only or is totally unlimited and open like Vision?

http://www.pdaphonehome.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=402157#post402157

Michael · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:18 am Post subject:

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2001

http://www.pdaphonehome.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=174

Check out the users who are receiving their Sprint 6700 phones. Essentially all so far are saying they get EVDO. Boston, Denver, Dallas (30 miles outside Dallas too), San Antonio, Bay Area, LA, KC, MSP, lots of places. Looks like Sprint does have EVDO coverage all over the place, despite what the maps say.

Sprint is now claiming to be in 75 markets.

According to this, Verizon is in 61 markets as of Aug 29. Both are probably adding markets weekly.

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=news&Number=20981

xchpstang · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:00 am Post subject:

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2001

I saw an ad for Sprint's high speed on TV. Just once though compared to dozens of Verizon's ads. Sprint does need a marketing blitz.