Carrier Anyone Tempted by Sprint 1/2 Price Plan Offer?

[eyoungren]

Yeah, good luck getting any decent customer service or anything done with them.
The more you avoid their customer support reps the longer you will live a happier and healthy life

That's quite true, but Exec Services is a little bit better (only a little) in the sense that they have authority to do more than the average rep.

Not in this case, apparently, but I just wanted to clarify.

 

[Bahroo]

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that people who sign this, Sprint is able to throttle users under this plan whenever they want

http://www.androidauthority.com/sprints-cut-bill-half-deal-allows-heavily-throttle-customers-572172/

"But as Ars Technica points out, Sprint’s new “cut your wireless bill in half” deal is essentially a customer agreeing to let Sprint throttle you whenever, wherever and however they want."

This sounds like a death trap, poor LTE coverage and that ...smh

 

[eyoungren]

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that people who sign this, Sprint is able to throttle users under this plan whenever they want

No.

Sprint throttles the top 5 percent of heavy data users ONLY when they are connected to a congested tower. If the tower becomes uncongested or that top 5 percent leaves that tower for an UNcongested tower, speeds return to normal.

If you are not in the top 5 percent of heavy data users you aren't throttled period.

This: "Other plans may receive prioritized bandwidth availability. To improve data experience for the majority of users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network." is taken out of context. It's the fine print for all plans and simply means routing, not throttling.

 

[Bahroo]

No.

Sprint throttles the top 5 percent of heavy data users ONLY when they are connected to a congested tower. If the tower becomes uncongested or that top 5 percent leaves that tower for an UNcongested tower, speeds return to normal.

If you are not in the top 5 percent of heavy data users you aren't throttled period.

http://www.androidauthority.com/sprints-cut-bill-half-deal-allows-heavily-throttle-customers-572172

Read that, this plan has strings attached to it

 

[eyoungren]

http://www.androidauthority.com/sprints-cut-bill-half-deal-allows-heavily-throttle-customers-572172

Read that, this plan has strings attached to it

Then my Everything Data 1500 Family Share plan from 2008 also has it. I know what you're talking about. That line has been in the fine print since they introduced Framily last year.

It doesn't mean jack. But you can take the writer's word for it if you want. I've only been with Sprint for 15 years.

 

[Supermallet]

I have a spark compatible device and live in naperville. I live in a spark turbo spot and WOW 18-20 DOWN!

Ps. the Iphone 6/6P are spark devices on Sprint!

I've got to say, 18-20 down is good for a first gen LTE network, but not an LTE-A network like Spark is supposed to be (or am I misunderstanding what Spark is?). Hell, I can get 70 down on Verizon in Los Angeles in their upgraded service areas, and that's still first gen LTE.

 

[ZebraDude]

Well sprint was about 3 to 4 down on band 25. I never heard of real world download speeds of 70's I have a Xoom on Verizon and never saw speeds even close to that.

Don't forget Verizon is the most expensive carrier out there.

 

[KPOM]

Well sprint was about 3 to 4 down on band 25. I never heard of real world download speeds of 70's I have a Xoom on Verizon and never saw speeds even close to that.

Don't forget Verizon is the most expensive carrier out there.

It's hit or miss on any carrier, but I got 67Mbps down in the Chicago suburbs over the weekend on VZW. Of course, downtown in my building I usually get about 5Mbps on VZW. AT&T is the winner downtown (generally around 10-12Mbps). I have T-Mobile on my iPad and so can compare the three of them.

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I've got to say, 18-20 down is good for a first gen LTE network, but not an LTE-A network like Spark is supposed to be (or am I misunderstanding what Spark is?). Hell, I can get 70 down on Verizon in Los Angeles in their upgraded service areas, and that's still first gen LTE.

I think Spark is just their fancy marketing term for TD-LTE in Band 41 and 800MHz in Band 26, sort of like how "XLTE" is just a fancy marketing term for Verizon's AWS Band 4 LTE service. AT&T is the biggest user of carrier aggregation right now, primarily because their spectrum is so fragmented in many places.

 

[eyoungren]

Yes, Spark is triband. Band 26, 26 and 41 (1900mhz, 800mhz and 2.5Ghz).

This goes back to an old problem with Sprint. They sell you on something with advertising and when it does not live up to the marketing they tell you that they are working on something else. Upgrade and you can get better.

Rinse, lather, repeat.

Sprint sold me an iPhone 5 that is capable on Band 25 of 20+mbps. When I have a good LTE connection I average 5-12mbps. I've been on one tower that got me above 20mbps at one point.

I'd be happy with 5-6mbps and wouldn't be leaving if that were achievable in the places I'm at. Unfortunately, in those places, it's actually right around 0.5mbps.

Not what I was advertised for the iPhone 5 and not even what Sprint said would be the average speed (5-6mbps) when everything was complete.

 

[ryankul]

Any AT&T or Verizon UDP (or Mobile Share plan) holders tempted by the Sprint half price offer? Right now Sprint offers UDPs for $60 ($50 if you buy an iPhone), but a lot of us AT&T UDP holders have plans at $70 or $75 if we have the NW 450 with PAYG text or the legacy $5 text plan. At $35 or $37.50 (not including the existing FAN discounts Sprint says they'll honor), it could make it worthwhile over 2 years or so, even if we do need to turn in current-enough phones (i.e. worth $200) and buy new phones for $650.

At the very least, perhaps it could give us some leverage with Retentions. Any thoughts?

Just switched a couple days ago. All three carriers work well we're I live and mainly where I travel. I mainly use my phone for text, email and web. Calling is maybe 100mins a month if that. Data speeds are slower but work just fine for me. Got the iPhone 6+ and I'm happy .

 

[andyx3x]

Sprint's network could drive someone to suicide. Really. It's horrible.

 

[Truefan31]

I think once they get rid of their draconian unlock policy in 2015 that'll help too. One model that can work on all major carriers.

 

[eyoungren]

I think once they get rid of their draconian unlock policy in 2015 that'll help too. One model that can work on all major carriers.

Yeah, but here's the thing about that. The way it's worded, a device has to start development after February 11, 2015.

A device that is in development before that date BUT is manufactured after that date is not "unlockable" by Sprint's policies.

At least with Sprint I feel a lot of people are going to be very surprised and disappointed to find out that Sprint will not unlock their iPhone 6/6+ and 6S.

You won't see this happening really until much later I think.

 

[KPOM]

Just switched a couple days ago. All three carriers work well we're I live and mainly where I travel. I mainly use my phone for text, email and web. Calling is maybe 100mins a month if that. Data speeds are slower but work just fine for me. Got the iPhone 6+ and I'm happy .

Sprint is OK where I live (apparently better if you have a Spark device like the iPhone 6), but I travel a lot for work. I know AT&T and Verizon are reliable just about everywhere. I'm not prepared to give away an AT&T UDP sight unseen. If Sprint would offer me the half-priced plan without making me port, I'd give them a shot as I could always port later. But I don't want to give up my UDP first and then find out later that Sprint doesn't work well where I travel. I explained that to Sprint Executive Services, but their system is programmed to process the discount only once the number is ported in.

In some respects, I wish I'd have kept one of the extra Verizon Wireless UDPs that I created during the apple.com glitch last month instead of AOLing out the last week it was officially transferable.

That said, I did get AT&T to give me some rollover minutes and the unlimited text/M2M plan for half-price. Before the Sprint promotion ends, I might try to see if they'll give me the "early nights and weekends" plan, which would help conserve my Nation 450 minutes even more.

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Yeah, but here's the thing about that. The way it's worded, a device has to start development after February 11, 2015.

A device that is in development before that date BUT is manufactured after that date is not "unlockable" by Sprint's policies.

At least with Sprint I feel a lot of people are going to be very surprised and disappointed to find out that Sprint will not unlock their iPhone 6/6+ and 6S.

You won't see this happening really until much later I think.

I'd be surprised if the new policy doesn't apply to the "6S" (assuming that's what it is called). It's a minor update for Apple, so chances are the design won't be finalized until after February 2015. Is the iPhone 7 "in development" because Apple is thinking about what might go into the A11 chip they release in 2017 and filing some patents this year?

Verizon has said they want to start selling LTE-only phones in 2016. At that point, they are essentially a "full" GSM provider who happens to have a legacy CDMA network, and whitelisting should come to an end. I'd like to think that Sprint wants to switch everyone over to LTE as soon as possible, as well, though 2016 is probably too soon for them. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I'd like to think that competitive pressure will push interoperability sooner than rather than later.

 

[Akack]

Not even remotely interested in Sprint, don't care how much I can save....I actually want to use my iPhone instead of carrying around an expensive brick.

 

[Supermallet]

Well sprint was about 3 to 4 down on band 25. I never heard of real world download speeds of 70's I have a Xoom on Verizon and never saw speeds even close to that.

Don't forget Verizon is the most expensive carrier out there.

This is on XLTE, which is Verizon's upgraded (but not LTE-A) network. Look it up, you'll see people in XLTE areas getting very fast speeds.

My reason for referring to Verizon specifically is because Spark is meant to be Sprint's upgraded LTE service, and if 18-20 down is the best you're getting from it, well that's pretty poor potatoes compared to Verizon's upgraded LTE service.

And yes, Verizon is the most expensive carrier and has data caps. Both good points. So switch to T-Mobile, get unlimited data and speeds comparable to Spark for not much more money.

 

[marshallbedsaul]

No way !
My friends have sprint in the DMV area nothing but complaints., bad service, data speeds, dropped calls., and crap customer service.

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This is on XLTE, which is Verizon's upgraded (but not LTE-A) network. Look it up, you'll see people in XLTE areas getting very fast speeds.

My reason for referring to Verizon specifically is because Spark is meant to be Sprint's upgraded LTE service, and if 18-20 down is the best you're getting from it, well that's pretty poor potatoes compared to Verizon's upgraded LTE service.

And yes, Verizon is the most expensive carrier and has data caps. Both good points. So switch to T-Mobile, get unlimited data and speeds comparable to Spark for not much more money.

Verizon data caps? Wrong Verizon decided against doing so recently. I average 30gb of data a month on my unlimited plan. Speeds are just as fast as first gb of usage.
My line unlimited text, 1400 mins, unlimited data, insurance, tax/fees 89.99 a month

 

[bushman4]

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that people who sign this, Sprint is able to throttle users under this plan whenever they want

http://www.androidauthority.com/sprints-cut-bill-half-deal-allows-heavily-throttle-customers-572172/

"But as Ars Technica points out, Sprint’s new “cut your wireless bill in half” deal is essentially a customer agreeing to let Sprint throttle you whenever, wherever and however they want."

This sounds like a death trap, poor LTE coverage and that ...smh

Sprints everyday service is like be throttled plus their coverage stinks.
Don't waste your time and money

 

[ZebraDude]

This is on XLTE, which is Verizon's upgraded (but not LTE-A) network. Look it up, you'll see people in XLTE areas getting very fast speeds.

My reason for referring to Verizon specifically is because Spark is meant to be Sprint's upgraded LTE service, and if 18-20 down is the best you're getting from it, well that's pretty poor potatoes compared to Verizon's upgraded LTE service.

And yes, Verizon is the most expensive carrier and has data caps. Both good points. So switch to T-Mobile, get unlimited data and speeds comparable to Spark for not much more money.

Well where I live its LTE Band 26 that my phone locks on to. If you are lucky enough to live in a Band 41 area we are talking 40-70 down!

all I'm saying its getting better and the price is amazing!

 

[CEmajr]

No way !
My friends have sprint in the DMV area nothing but complaints., bad service, data speeds, dropped calls., and crap customer service.

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Verizon data caps? Wrong Verizon decided against doing so recently. I average 30gb of data a month on my unlimited plan. Speeds are just as fast as first gb of usage.
My line unlimited text, 1400 mins, unlimited data, insurance, tax/fees 89.99 a month

That plan isn't avaialble to new customers. Verizon only offers plans with data caps now.

 

[Apple Trees]

Looks like Sprint has gotten outright desperate. Their network is absolutely abysmal but even for the few who live in areas where they're decent it's not that good of a deal since it doesn't include phone installments and you have to trade in your valuable AT&T or Verizon phone for a locked down useless Sprint device with poor resale value. Oh and you get second tier network preference to existing customers on an already second tier carrier.

 

[eyoungren]

Looks like Sprint has gotten outright desperate. Their network is absolutely abysmal but even for the few who live in areas where they're decent it's not that good of a deal since it doesn't include phone installments and you have to trade in your valuable AT&T or Verizon phone for a locked down useless Sprint device with poor resale value. Oh and you get second tier network preference to existing customers on an already second tier carrier.

I'm assuming your statements are referring to this promo (minus the network statement)?

Because Sprint has had Easy Pay since last year and the iPhone for Life deal is a lease.

If you get creative you can apply the Easy Pay thing to the iPhone for Life deal turning the IPL thing into actual ownership at that price point.

As for desperate…I think Claure is desperate to show Masayoshi Son that he can turn this around. I just don't see it working out though.

And as far as the preference thing goes, every plan has this priority language in the fine print. The language in the fine print of the new promo is no different than the language that is there for my ED 1500 family plan.

 

[Supermallet]

Verizon data caps? Wrong Verizon decided against doing so recently. I average 30gb of data a month on my unlimited plan. Speeds are just as fast as first gb of usage.
My line unlimited text, 1400 mins, unlimited data, insurance, tax/fees 89.99 a month

I also have unlimited data with Verizon, but that's not a plan that people can access if they're considering switching. Most people on Verizon have data caps.

 

[KPOM]

Update

As an update, since I have an iPad Air 2 with an Apple SIM, I decided to buy a $5 one-day pass on Sprint to try out their network in downtown Chicago. After all, Chicago is a Spark city and the iPad Air 2 supports all 3 Sprint LTE bands. Here are my observations:

• The "$5" plan is actually $6.90 after some "administrative" and "regulatory" fees. T-Mobile and I believe Verizon quote all-in prices on prepaid tablet plans.
• I tested at home and office and got download speeds around 1-2Mb/s on LTE. AT&T got about 25Mb/s and Verizon around 12-14Mb/s
• 3G was actually faster downloading than LTE, though LTE beat it 3G in uploads.

I think I'll stick with AT&T.

 

[JulesJam]

Verizon data caps? Wrong Verizon decided against doing so recently.

Dude, pipe down, you don't know what you are talking about. Verizon did not decide against data caps. Verizon was trying to THROTTLE OFF CONTRACT UDP USERS WHO WERE NOT GOVERNMENT OR LARGE CORPORATE USERS on Verizon's 4G LTE network and the FCC decided to step in and enforce the Block C spectrum license limitations.

So no, it wasn't a data cap issue and no, it wasn't anything Verizon decided against. It was a throttling issue and the FCC decided to enforce the law. Verizon was trying to get away with it and if it wasn't for the FCC ENFORCING THE LAW Verizon would have done it.

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I average 30gb of data a month on my unlimited plan.

No one who doesn't already have one can get a Verizon UDP line any more unless you can buy one and sneak it through on an AOL. The Verizon official policy does not even allow you to do that.

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My line unlimited text, 1400 mins, unlimited data, insurance, tax/fees 89.99 a month

Grandfathered plan that is unobtainable now so irrelevant to this discussion. You can't even officially AOL one of those even if you buy it from someone.