Is it really $10 extra a month for 4g?

[LxMxFxD]

I'm kinda pissed about this, if its true. I tried to do a search but it came up FAIL. So i'm SORRY if this has been covered a million times.

$10 isn't a crazy extra amount - especially considering I can now do voice AND data the same time.. but still.. sucks.. if true.

Is it true? I'm on the standard everything data plan for $70/mo.

 

[KiLo11]

well search harder
the $10 extra is for "premium data" it uncaps the data usage

 

[swazedahustla]

I'm kinda pissed about this, if its true. I tried to do a search but it came up FAIL. So i'm SORRY if this has been covered a million times.

$10 isn't a crazy extra amount - especially considering I can now do voice AND data the same time.. but still.. sucks.. if true.

Is it true? I'm on the standard everything data plan for $70/mo.

No its not for 4G. Its for premieum services that you will get on 3G and 4G if you have it. Now you can not have to worry about any type of data caps that you had previously. You now have more data to use however you want to use it. There is a benefit for 4G and 3G, so you fall into one of those categories if not both.

 

[dan330]

well search harder
the $10 extra is for "premium data" it uncaps the data usage

+1
look a little harder...

yes...it is true.. must pay it... unlimited data

compare that to the new AT&T data plan... and you will be smiling!

also it is for higher priority on the sprint network over other phones for data... so the network sees you as a more important request, and get your data faster than others.

 

[zamardii12]

My friend who works for Sprint said the $10 is specifically for 4G usage. He said they have to charge everyone who buys the phone even if you don't have 4G in your state because there's nothing stopping you from using 4G in for instance you are traveling or are in a area that uses 4G.

 

[KiLo11]

at this points who cares if its for 4g or uncapped data all that matters is that its required end of story

 

[reneeb]

My friend who works for Sprint said the $10 is specifically for 4G usage. He said they have to charge everyone who buys the phone even if you don't have 4G in your state because there's nothing stopping you from using 4G in for instance you are traveling or are in a area that uses 4G.

Hate to burst your bubble, but your friend who works for Sprint must sleep through ALL the meetings and correspondance about this fee. It is for PREMIUM DATA not specifically 4G! And a search on this forum would have shown you countless threads about this exact subject!!

Renee

 

[jrstinkfish]

It's for 4G. Don't believe anything else that Sprint reps are floating out there for damage control. You're paying for the ability to use the 4G network if you wander into an area that has it, and also when it comes into your neck of the woods. Any 4G phone from Sprint from this point on will likely have the $10 surcharge.

Basically, even if you're not using it, or are unable to from where you live, you still have to pay for the ability to use it when the situation arises. And it will likely arise for you sooner than you think.

Those who think it's for unlimited data ... are you currently Sprint customers? We already have unlimited data. I tethered my Pre often and never heard a peep about it.

 

[leastbay]

I would say that the sprint employees arent the smartest workers in the world otherwise they would be doing something better. Its for unlimited data because they figure you will use more with this phone.

 

[jrstinkfish]

It's not for unlimited data -- Sprint's smartphone data plans are not capped. If you don't like to think you're paying $10 for 4G you can't yet use, just think of it as paying a $10 luxury tax for a loaded phone until 4G shows up for you, which will likely be before the end of 2010.

 

[KiLo11]

they are capped at 5gb

 

[zamardii12]

Hate to burst your bubble, but your friend who works for Sprint must sleep through ALL the meetings and correspondance about this fee. It is for PREMIUM DATA not specifically 4G! And a search on this forum would have shown you countless threads about this exact subject!!

Renee

4G IS a premium service... that's why they call is that. Calling the charge as "premium services" sounds better than saying, "Hey, we're going to charge you for something you're probably not going to have the capability of using."

 

[reneeb]

4G IS a premium service... that's why they call is that. Calling the charge as "premium services" sounds better than saying, "Hey, we're going to charge you for something you're probably not going to have the capability of using."

Actually the 4G is PART of the premium service, not the whole thing. It's like buying a car, sure, my car will go to 200 MPH but I'm not buying it specifically to drive it that fast.

 

[exempli_gratia]

It's for 4G. Don't believe anything else that Sprint reps are floating out there for damage control.

Agreed, except it's even broader than that.

All the carriers hate that everyones moving to data and away from voice, while all their premium pricing was on the voice side. So they are scrambling to hike the fees on the data side.

AT&Tis going with what's effectively metered data. Sprint is going with this $10 fee but sticking with unlimited (taking off the nominal cap, in fact). I'm sure the others will follow with one way or another to charge more for data.

That's where all the customers will be, so that's where they have to charge. All else is PR sweetener/spin.

 

[LxMxFxD]

I already have "unlimited data".. which really means.. sprint looks at your account if you exceed 5GB.. which on 3g i've never even come close to.

So obviously, if the $10 is required, its $10 to use 4G which is "premium [speed] data]"

Nuff said?

 

[Rob_A]

IMO: (just a guess)

$10 is really for 4G

But Sprint had to spin it differently because Dan Hesse initially said that there would be no extra charge for 4G.

Instead they tell us it's for the "Premium EVO experience". Which is BS, IMO, because in 6mos to a year the EVO won't be a premium phone anymore.


Also, there was NEVER a cap on data for phone plans. There was only a 5GB cap on aircards.

 

[jrstinkfish]

they are capped at 5gb

Not true. Mobile broadband is capped at 5GB. Smartphone plans are not capped (hence the term "unlimited data" in the current plan details). Now Sprint will throw up a flag if they see you using an unusual amount of data, which would mean you're tethering and violating the TOS, but I've yet to have to happen when I tether.

If you tether the Evo without the $30 surcharge, you'll likely get the same reaction from Sprint for excessive data usage.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

Agreed, except it's even broader than that.

All the carriers hate that everyones moving to data and away from voice, while all their premium pricing was on the voice side. So they are scrambling to hike the fees on the data side.

AT&Tis going with what's effectively metered data. Sprint is going with this $10 fee but sticking with unlimited (taking off the nominal cap, in fact). I'm sure the others will follow with one way or another to charge more for data.

That's where all the customers will be, so that's where they have to charge. All else is PR sweetener/spin.

I agree.

LOL at the spinmasters in this very thread.

Premium/unlimited data? Welcome to the world of Sprint Euphemisms.

 

[BetterMost]

My personal opinion on the $10 monthly charge is that it is a subsidy charge for the handset itself. Its a way Sprint can make it look like they are only charging $199 for the handset. In reality you are paying much more because of this charge. The spin Drs at Sprint dreamed up a "special" name for it so they can justify why they can charge you for "air". I would suggest once connected call Sprint and demand the charge waved from your bill I bet they do it without much fussing. Its like buying a new car and they have an extra $500 added to the window sticker for door edge guards you can go and buy for $10 at Pep Boys. I always make them wave that fee or remove the item, the same will happen with me and Sprint when my first bill arrives count on it. If enough people call and complain something will be done. Simply ask them to put into writing where you are getting added value to your service from that charge with your amount of usage.

 

[tjwoo]

Not true. Mobile broadband is capped at 5GB. Smartphone plans are not capped (hence the term "unlimited data" in the current plan details). Now Sprint will throw up a flag if they see you using an unusual amount of data, which would mean you're tethering and violating the TOS, but I've yet to have to happen when I tether.

If you tether the Evo without the $30 surcharge, you'll likely get the same reaction from Sprint for excessive data usage.

Unlikely, because one of the first things the computer asks you when you connect a EVO to a PC is if you would like to do wired tethering. If sprint did not want this functionality, they would have disabled this function.

 

[jrstinkfish]

Yes, but has anyone actually tried to use USB tethering with the EVO (with Wifi turned off ... #1 mistake when claiming tethering works on a phone is being fooled by a Wifi connection).

 

[jrstinkfish]

Hmmm, about tethering, according the manual:

Get online with your notebook or desktop computer at any time, using your device’s data connection.
For information on setting up and using the data connection, see “Getting Started With Data Services.”
1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
2. On the Connect to PC screen, select Internet sharing, and then tap Done.
When you are using your device as a modem, the USB mass storage feature is disabled, and you will not be
able to use HTC Sync.

If this is true, and not dependent on WiFi, VERY cool, and worth the $10 extra a month just to not have to do it by nefarious means

 

[dan330]

Yes, but has anyone actually tried to use USB tethering with the EVO (with Wifi turned off ... #1 mistake when claiming tethering works on a phone is being fooled by a Wifi connection).

On the Hero with 2.1 android... basically the same as EVO.

I can use the USB Tethering with no issues. and the Wifi is turned off. it is a basic function of android 2.1

 

[Tre Lawrence]

Okay, that is cool... need to check it out on the wife's phone.

 

[Rob_A]

I hope that it charges while USB tethering.