Rut-roh! Sprint could be in trouble!

[cbanks]

Many long-term Sprint customers who put up with some of their short-comings in exchange for a reasonable price aren't too happy with their latest price hikes for their hot new phones. In addition to pricing the new Samsung Epic 4G as the most expensive Android phone on the market by 25%, they've imposed $69.99 service minimums and $10 4G surcharges.

While hitting many customers hard, their marketing spin is their Simply Everything and Everything Data plans are cheaper than similar plans with the big boys: Verizon and AT&T. Is that about to change?

Just when Sprint is jacking up their prices Verizon is poised to challenge their Simply Everything plan. Verizon is test marketing unlimited talk/text/data plans for $100.

There's no indication that this will stick. There definitely is no indication of Verizon matching their Everything Data pricing. However, if they do, the next sound you'll hear is the stampede from Sprint.

 

[Rigmaster]

These trials will never make it out of trial status. VZW's just trying to find out if their current pricing models and plans work. VZW will be rolling out LTE soon, and they are absolutely committed to tiered pricing with emphasis on data.

In addition, VZW's had years to challenge Sprint's SE and SD plans but hasn't, and it's been profitable for them.

I'd be willing to bet against any downward trend by VZW at all.

 

[SoulTerror]

If they lowered their prices I'd go to Verizon. Price is the only reason I don't go to them.

 

[Rigmaster]

VZW's not going to lower prices. The only reason they'd do that would be in Sprint got the iPhone, which doesn't look to be the case. VZW's rumored to be getting CDMA-iPhone in January and LTE iPhone in '11, and if there's one thing ATT proved it's that iPhans will pay anything so why even consider dropping the price.

Again, VZWs had more than 3 years to match Sprint's plans. They've succeeded without doing it, and they're not going to go backwards now. I believe this test is all about what can they get for entry-level smartphones with GB-limited plans with the ultimate goal of just eliminating feature phones from VZW's network.

 

[oldsmoboat]

If they lowered their prices I'd go to Verizon. Price is the only reason I don't go to them. "
(can't see how to quote...)

Price is the reason I am switching from Verizon.

 

[BenChase7]

If they lowered their prices I'd go to Verizon. Price is the only reason I don't go to them. "
(can't see how to quote...)

Price is the reason I am switching from Verizon.

I agree.. I came from Verizon (well, used them for a second line). I really cant say anything bad about them. But Sprint gives me just as good of coverage for less money. So it was a no brainer on which one to keep. And now, I have another reason to be glad I stayed w/ Sprint... no data cap's!

 

[cbanks]

These trials will never make it out of trial status. VZW's just trying to find out if their current pricing models and plans work. VZW will be rolling out LTE soon, and they are absolutely committed to tiered pricing with emphasis on data.

In addition, VZW's had years to challenge Sprint's SE and SD plans but hasn't, and it's been profitable for them.

I'd be willing to bet against any downward trend by VZW at all.

The reason Verizon has been getting away with charging more is a better network, a point they've run into the ground in TV commercials. Sprint has pushed value with their 'good enough' service. That's why I'm a Sprint customer and put up with their network aggravations.

I find it curious that Sprint is jacking up their prices as they move to 4G at a time Verizon is testing matching their price in the 3G space. Cell phones are a pretty mature market. Sprint seems to want to wring more $$$ from its customer base which was shrinking until recently while Verizon appears to be going the lower price/higher demand route.

I agree, the 4G space might return Verizon to their old habits. Their LTE network, if their claims can be believed, will have a bigger footprint than their current leading 3G one plus looks to have better performance than WiMax in the wild. This is probably something people will pay a lot of money for and, as you say, they've been hinting at an AT&T tiered system with lots of caps.

If Verizon picks up the iPhone and would cut rates they'd become a virtual monopoly. Can they see that?

BTW, I'm no Verizon fanboy. I don't use any service by them. Not phone, FIOS or cellphone. Personally, I wish Sprint would stick to their old model so I can stick with them but they appear to be blowing it for short-term gain.