What happens after the 5GB data cap on 3G?

[cesjr02]

Pretty simple question since I'm new to both Sprint service and a data loving smartphone.

I'm not in a 4G area, I'll primarily be on Sprint's 3G service. First of all, 5GB is a lot for anything we'd be doing on a phone, has anyone came close to hitting 5GB/mo?

Also what happens after you hit 5GB, is data service cut off or are you simply charged into oblivion?

 

[Muk]

there is no 5 gig cap on the evo. the $10 charge lifts the cap!!

 

[neodorian]

^What he said.

But to answer your question, on the old "unlimited" plans that were actually capped at 5GB per month, apparently they reserved the right to cut you off or charge you over 5GB but typically did not. I have run over 5GB plenty of times on my 3G phones and never been charged. Still, the consensus was not to push your luck.

 

[jam4775]

there is no 5 gig cap on the evo. the $10 charge lifts the cap!!

I've been all over these forums and see a lot of people saying that there is no 5GB cap with the Premium Data Plan... BUT I haven't seen one post confirming this with a link to an official statement from Sprint. Has anyone else seen anything official from Sprint? I hope this is true because then I'll feel like I'm actually getting something for the extra charge.

 

[Deleted User]

There never was a 3g 5gig cap for phone data use, only for 3g broadband devices. Read Sprints fine print, it ONLY lists a 5gig cap for 3g broadband, NOT for phone usage.

http://shop.sprint.com/NASApp/onlin...terStringParamName=&newZipCode=14623&x=45&y=4

You'll see at the bottom of that link for Mobile Broadband Connection Plans it lists it, doesn't for phone plans.

Now if you tether, that is a different story because it is not the phone using the data, another device is.

 

[apollooff320]

There is no limit on the phones. I've been tethering off my phones for years and even downloaded as much as 15GB of Data and never got in trouble with Sprint. My 3G speeds are good too.

 

[ImmaSlave4U]

I've been all over these forums and see a lot of people saying that there is no 5GB cap with the Premium Data Plan... BUT I haven't seen one post confirming this with a link to an official statement from Sprint. Has anyone else seen anything official from Sprint? I hope this is true because then I'll feel like I'm actually getting something for the extra charge.

Official documents do show the 5gb cap is lifted: http://explainthefee.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/106726-3.png

 

[cesjr02]

I stand corrected, and this is good news indeed!

Thanks guys

 

[RiverOfIce]

They can not charge you for going over. That is untrue. They simply reserve the right to drop you as a customer. So it is unlimited and limited. It is unlimited as in, they will never charge you for the extra data. But it is limited in the fact that they reserve the right to kick you off after 5GBs. If you go over enough where it is effecting their network, they will simply send you a letter telling you to find another service provider. No charges. They will also warn you.

 

[TheBlackPrince]

I don't think they kick you off. I believe they just reserve the right to slow down your data speed until the next month.

 

[VGPOP]

This is a good question to ask this:

I will be a new Sprint customer when EVO comes out on Friday, I will use the phone for everything and when I am work I want to try Sprint TV and just have some TV while working.

Is there anyone here that use Sprint TV everyday? And how much data do you use per month if this is the case?

Is good to know you have now unlimited data since you are paying $10 extra dollars.

 

[Bales]

There are many other threads out there where RiverOfIce, myself and others beat this topic to death. What usually comes out of it is that there is no "hard" 5gb cap. Sprint reserves the right to do whatever they please. Whether or not they're within their legal bounds to do so is another story.

 

[stroths]

They likely put that 5gb cap to keep people from abusing the system. That way they could take action if they wanted if you went over that cap. Some people were using it for their broadband connection and using way more than the 5gb.

I suspect that people will abuse the "unlimited" 4g plans, but Sprint will more than make up for it with the extra $10 charge since most users paying that won't abuse the system.