Premium data, what do you get for it?

[eric3316]

Actually, you get unlimited, uncapped data. Thats what the $10 fee is for.

Be grateful that you are not on Verizon. They are already thinking of charging for LIMITED DATA on 4G. Here is the article posted about half hour ago...

So Long, Unlimited Data: Verizon Wants Tiered 4G Plans [Verizon]

This is where sprint will be heading as well. Just not yet. As Dan Hesse has said, plans will not be based on minutes in the coming years but rather data size.....So I think this is something we will see with all companies and just like this additional fee for the Evo they will get a way to jump to those plans when a new device is released and that is the direction they want to go........

And trust me, I have been with Sprint for over 10 years and have never complained about there pricing and never even thought about switching to another carrier. I have no problem paying the extra $10 as the plans still can't be beat.
I also can understand people's complaints and don't feel the need to tell them not to get the device and go somewhere else because they are complaining. Sprint brought this onto themselves with there horrible description of the $10 fee. They should just have said, this is the new Evo plan that is $79.99. That's it. At&T did it with the iPhone. They said the is the iPhone plan, take it or leave it. They didn't say, if you want to use data just like you have been using on any other device it is going to cost you more to use it on the iPhone.....That is basically what Sprint is saying. Here is the same thing you have been using for every prior device but we are just going to charge and extra $10 fee to use it on the Evo....Bad marketing!

 

[misterzeno]

This is where sprint will be heading as well. Just not yet. As Dan Hesse has said, plans will not be based on minutes in the coming years but rather data size.....So I think this is something we will see with all companies and just like this additional fee for the Evo they will get a way to jump to those plans when a new device is released and that is the direction they want to go........

And trust me, I have been with Sprint for over 10 years and have never complained about there pricing and never even thought about switching to another carrier. I have no problem paying the extra $10 as the plans still can't be beat.
I also can understand people's complaints and don't feel the need to tell them not to get the device and go somewhere else because they are complaining. Sprint brought this onto themselves with there horrible description of the $10 fee. They should just have said, this is the new Evo plan that is $79.99. That's it. At&T did it with the iPhone. They said the is the iPhone plan, take it or leave it. They didn't say, if you want to use data just like you have been using on any other device it is going to cost you more to use it on the iPhone.....That is basically what Sprint is saying. Here is the same thing you have been using for every prior device but we are just going to charge and extra $10 fee to use it on the Evo....Bad marketing!

Cant help but say true, they should have just said that and made up a new family plan for it, or just say the evo is 10 bux more PERIOD. I personally think it is really for subsidizing the device.

 

[Heroic Lover]

My beef, if you can call it that, with this thread is that the $10 fee is not for any of the things stated at the starth... The fee is a "Premium Data Add-on" (Sprint's words) but there has never been a definition of what premium data are. Just about everything listed is possible, today, on my Palm Treo 800w (to some extent... lets not talk about raw performance, here).

Specifically:

1.) Wimax
- one must buy a phone compatible... the EVO is... that's why someone might buy this phone. That capability should be in the phone and/or the service plan but Sprint C-level execs have publicly stated there is no additional charge for 4G (so the $10 fee is not for this).

2.) Flash support lite, with 10.1 coming with froyo

- um, OK, but flash is a free app. I'm not paying for Flash... I can get all the flash data I want on my phone, now, and then move it to my PC for viewing (not sure why I'd want to, but I can).

3.) Tethering according to this post. Anyone with an EVO try tethering vita PDANet?

I can tether, today.

4.) 4.3 inch screen with youtube support.

OK... I have a small screen, but I'm buying a new phone for that (the screen is not an ongoing expense to anyone). Youtube is free and I can get that, now...

5.) Removal of all caps or limitations on both 3g and 4g.

I have no 3g caps and I can't use 4g in my area, anyway.

6.) No restrictions on 3rd party apps.
I have none, now.

7.) Phone to Phone video chats.
OK, got me there... I bet there is a winmo application to do it, though (could be slow, but that's partly a 3G issue as well which won't be fixed with my fee since I'm on 3G - and the fee is not for 4G as previously stated).

8.) Full uncompressed/unrestricted internet.
Huh? What's that? I don't compress my Internet, now. There are no restrictions - I can download all the porn, lies and reviews of cell phones I want.

9.) Voice and data at the same time with wimax.

Again, wimax... remember, we're not being charged for that.

10.) HD pandora streaming.

Again, this is an application. With my unlimited data plan, now, I could download all the HD content I want (although I might not be able to view it on my device... but we're talking about "Premium Data," remember? It's all about the data, and I can get it, now.

11.) GPS included.
Already have that...

12.) Sprint TV.
Already have that...

So what am I paying $10/mo for that I don't already have? I'm not complaining about the fee as a charge. I'm still trying to understand what it's for (besides additional revenue for Sprint). Sprint has every right to charge whatever they want and let the market decide what to buy, but when I see commercials about the easy, simple "everything" pricing Sprint offers and then they start tacking on additional fees, that starts to make me wonder where this will stop (and it won't if we let them do it without making them justify it to us).

So can anyone find a definition of "Premium Data Add-on" from Sprint? And I'd also like to suggest that, since it's mandatory, it should not be called an "Add-on" as there is no way to remove it. It's a fee to compensate for what Sprint believes to be too low of an everything plan. I guess that's not as catchy a phrase, though...

You don't have the Sprint TV that will be on the EVO, nore the two-way video calling feature. But my guess is you don't care hence you seriously comparing the features of a Treo to the EVO.

In which case you definitely need to take heed to the OP suggestion bypassing the EVO cause you're not the type of consumer Sprint is targeting in first place. Hence Sprint offers you many choices to duplicate the limited experience you have on your Treo 800. And you know what? They won't even charge you the $10 data fee either.

See?

That's called having a CHOICE. For those of us who are eager to jump into new technology, Sprint knows the EVO fits our thirst for a PREMIER DATA EXPERIENCE. An experience that wil encompass many hours of tapping into their data network. Which is why the fee is in place for the EVO and not any of the Treo phones.

 

[Zellster]

Unlimited Pandora/HD radio

So the FM tuner can pick up HD Radio?

 

[Aridon]

You sound like a ridiculous Shill.

 

[Jordus]

You are helping Dan Hesse buy a new Jag, duh!

 

[MyFishWagon]

This is where sprint will be heading as well. Just not yet. As Dan Hesse has said, plans will not be based on minutes in the coming years but rather data size.....So I think this is something we will see with all companies and just like this additional fee for the Evo they will get a way to jump to those plans when a new device is released and that is the direction they want to go........

And trust me, I have been with Sprint for over 10 years and have never complained about there pricing and never even thought about switching to another carrier. I have no problem paying the extra $10 as the plans still can't be beat.
I also can understand people's complaints and don't feel the need to tell them not to get the device and go somewhere else because they are complaining. Sprint brought this onto themselves with there horrible description of the $10 fee. They should just have said, this is the new Evo plan that is $79.99. That's it. At&T did it with the iPhone. They said the is the iPhone plan, take it or leave it. They didn't say, if you want to use data just like you have been using on any other device it is going to cost you more to use it on the iPhone.....That is basically what Sprint is saying. Here is the same thing you have been using for every prior device but we are just going to charge and extra $10 fee to use it on the Evo....Bad marketing!

I agree. I have been with sprint for over 8 years, (still have my original 'grandfather" plan... 2000 anytime mins... night and week start at 7... unlimited data and text for $45 plus tax) and now I will have to change that to the new plans if I want to get my Evo. I am not complaining, because I understand that prices change and with time, almost everything goes up. I will happily pay for the $10 fee, in order to enjoy my Evo to its fullest potential.

 

[edlex]

Which is why I ask everyone not to do. I said if you want to complain that the 10 dollar fee is not for you, do it else where. Instead of complaining about it you could help compile a list of what it gives you.

You see the difference. If you disagreed with it, ok, do it else where. If you wanted to add to what you can do with the HTC evo that you can not do with a single other phone then post.

I was hoping a constructive thread about that the 10 dollar fee IS. Not it is worth it to you.

Bottom line, I was hoping we could come together and list what the 10 dollar fee covers. Not ways it is pointless for you. You do not have to buy the phone. If you disagree with the 10 dollar fee, fine, there is dozens of places to do that.

He does not offer any vaild points, because no SINGLE phone does all the above for you. Which is why I ask everyone not to post why it does not work for you or complain about the fee, but to post what you can do with the fee.

Here's the inherent problem with your thread. You're not sprint saying this, you're just guessing, hoping and justifying the extra expense. Nothing wrong with that at all. It's your money and you can spend it on any toy you want. But the reality is no one knows what the $10 is for because the company that's charging it hasn't said why. Period. So if you want to have a "let's speculate as to what this $10 is for thread" that's fine. Just don't talk as if you have secret inside info because you don't. Neither does anyone else except sprint and they aren't saying. That's what pisses people off.

 

[RiverOfIce]

edlex, it is simple, do not buy the phone. For those that are, I was hoping we could do a list of what you get with the phone.
to the rest of you-
please no personal attacks.

 

[mpbond]

I think Sprint messed up early on by saying 4G will be uncapped. Then they could have used the $10 and justified it more easily by saying it gives you uncapped internet. They could have very easily capped 4G for us.

Also, I think the $10 may be easier logistically speaking for multi line plans that have multiple types of phones. Add $10 per EVO, if it's not and EVO, no fee. My wife will be getting a Moment and we will be getting a family plan. It will be easier to understand the bill for some people.

 

[eric3316]

edlex, it is simple, do not buy the phone. For those that are, I was hoping we could do a list of what you get with the phone.
to the rest of you-
please no personal attacks.

Here is what you get with this phone:
HTC EVO 4G Specs, Features (Phone Scoop)

What more do you want? There are probabaly 100 other links that will tell you about it's feature's. Just Google it if you are unsure of the specs. For the rest of us, I think we know what we are getting.

So I ask again, what is the point of this thread it if has nothing to do with the $10 fee?

AND STOP TELLING EVERYONE NOT TO BUY THE PHONE BECAUSE YOU DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT THEY ARE SAYING!!!

 

[edlex]

edlex, it is simple, do not buy the phone. For those that are, I was hoping we could do a list of what you get with the phone.
to the rest of you-
please no personal attacks.

Look, RiverOfIce, I understand. No attacks here. It's good to question things in life. Don't be afraid of that. The problem with your threads original intention is, no one knows! And why doesn't anyone know what you get? Because sprint isn't saying. I liked your thread title because I am also asking the question, what do you get for it? There is no point in making stuff up if you don't really know. So the real question should be, why doesn't sprint say what premium data really is? If it's so great then they should actively publicize it's benefits. Don't be sheep people, question everything. If your ok with the answer then cool. But don't fill in the blanks for them. Demand that they work for those extra $10. You had to work hard to make it and they should work hard to earn it.

 

[RiverOfIce]

AND STOP TELLING EVERYONE NOT TO BUY THE PHONE BECAUSE YOU DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT THEY ARE SAYING!!!

Bitter much?

 

[Nitraine21]

Just because people are questioning the $10 fee, doesn't mean they shouldn't get the phone. People just want a straight answer from Sprint, which totally shot themselves in the foot with not describing this "premium data fee" correctly.

That, along with Dan Hesse explaining about how 4g would be cheaper for the consumer (or something along those lines) have us Sprint consumers confused on why this is being applied.

I, for one, don't agree with this fee, but it will not keep me from getting this phone. Yet, there are work arounds to nullify the fee that I will be looking into (i.e. using my job as a discount)

 

[Rigmaster]

I think of it this way, it was a phased plan price increase. Others will come. I'm glad it was only $10 and at least came with uncapped data without questions. What's a 1/4lb at McDs when served with lettuce - well it's been called, BigNTasty, QP Deluxe, and a couple other names - all at a different price than the original. That lettuce and slice of tomato didn't really add much, and if you ever asked McDs would have given them to you in the past for free. But why give it away when people want it and will pay? I just think Sprint thought they might have to give something away, but the month's of anticipation showed them they could charge.

Trust me, if this was called Pre2, everything would very likely be free.

 

[Heroic Lover]

Since when has the consumer dictated to thr company what service fees are 'fair' or 'appropriate'?

This is what im not grasping. No other phone company presents the smartphone product + contract savings model that Sprint boasts on their network.

Where's the confusion here? Sprint is giving you an elite device with new network capabilities at more than a fair market price.

Outside being acting like spoiled brats, where's the room to be disappointed here?

And honestly, I wouldn't find the complaining about the surcharge fee as laughable as I do if a great majority of Sprint's geek and early adopter base haven't been CLAMORING for devices like the EVO for atleast three years. I mean, to be begging for a phone like this while paying the cheapest rates on the market in conjunction with being on the network with arguably the 2nd best coverage area in the country, AND YET when Sprint adheres to your wishes in a spectacular way with a slight surcharge, people STILL complain.

To me that's called being ungrateful.

 

[Rigmaster]

Consumers don't dictate fees or services, but they do choose whether to buy or keep them. Sprint has had difficulty attracting and keeping suscribers so following their past practices certainly is more likely to lead to similar results.

I don't expect Sprint to give anything away, but I do expect them to make simple cases for their products and services. Simplicity has not been a hallmark of the Evo's pre-release activities or statements from Sprint.

I think the Evo and pricing are better than what I can get on other networks, but I don't expect my perspective and values to be the same for everyone.

I bought Sprint recently because I think despite the Evo's confusing marketing and ambiguities, I believe Sprint finally has a winning phone and plan combination. Sprint will need more of these because the Evo is not an exclusive and will not enjoy the same advantages the iPhones have had. I want Sprint to hear the perspectives and use that to make the ongoing marketing of the Evo and the handling of future top-end phones better.

I can easily tell someone that the SimplyEverything Plan for Evo is $109.99, but I don't represent Sprint. Sprint should have done that - not tried the wordplay of SE is still $99.99 + $10 Evo charge. I think that's what draws people's emotion. It's not the outcome, it's the play on words. Telling me a half-truth is telling me a lie no matter how you slice it because without the full truth there is no truth.

I still think this will be seen as a big win starting June 4 when everyone has their shiny new toy in hand.

 

[AntLyoN]

Touch Pro 2

-Sprint F&F
-500 minutes (7pm nights)
-Unlimited Text
-Unlimited Pic/Video mail
-"Unlimited" Data (5gb cap)
-Slingbox (gift)
-Tom Tom (got it at the bay ;-)

Grand Total= $37 (includes all taxes and insurance)

I was going to get the Evo... but all this "premium content" is just not for me.

ps I talked to Hesse and he said what they meant is that the $10 fee is for the 4g service. Those who have it have to pay it for using it and the rest pay it in order to bring 4g to your areas. And Dan...Ill take 20% of what you paid the person that came up with that "premium content" bull and we can call it a day.

 

[sikclown]

Can we all agree that one in here is complaining about the $10 premium and does want the phone and are in fact going to buy it? Yes? Ok sweet.... Heroic Lover.. What is the Sprint TV that the EVO has? You said it like it was something new. Now everyone do a shot and stop getting your feelings hurt... On all sides...

 

[sikclown]

Ok the guy above me might be complaining

 

[Jumpstin]

I'm going to try to write this without sounding like someone complaining about the $10 fee. I like the idea of the thread for coming up with what you can do with the new premium data add on. I think dzar is right however to try to eliminate things that the next best phones on Sprint can already do. By the logic that another phone has to be able to do everything on your list for it to count, the power button on the Evo is a benefit of the premium data charge because it will be the only phone that I can turn on and off while also using wimax. There is no limit to what you could list as a benefit of the extra charge as long as wimax is also on the list.

I clicked on this thread because I would like to see, as I believe was your intention, all the benefits that the $10 charge brings. It's a $10 dollar add on to my existing everything plan so what features does it add on to the phone I have on said plan.

From what I can see, it boils down to wimax, 4.3" screen, and video calling. Sprint using the screen size to justify a $10 dollar recurring charge is annoying to me because that seems like something that should be part of the upfront cost of the phone. I can't deny however, that the Evo is the only phone I can enjoy on Sprint with that large of a screen.

I feel like a lot of the uproar could have been avoided if Sprint had just handled this better. I was expecting there to be a 4G upcharge but for some reason, they've decided to say there is no 4G charge but there is a required add on for something they haven't been able to fully explain to most people.

 

[sikclown]

This was in a another thread.... Sprint explains

Sprint Playbook: EVO 4G is a high-end, awesome device

 

[gabe2gg]

I did the math and the 10 "fee" is most likely a "Subsidy" that would keep the price from truly being 300+ without this 10 fee. With this high end phone and cost to make, there would be no true way to sell the phone for 200 and make a profit because of the cost of the parts. I think Sprint would be too embarrassed to say a 10 dollar fee was made to keep the phone under 300 dollars.