Any chance of Sprint backtracking on hotspot/4G fees?

**Josh K** · 05-12-2010, 11:00 PM

Anyone think there is a chance that Sprint will back down on either the optional hotspot charge or the mandatory $10 fee? Or at least lower them?

**hockey4life0099** · 05-12-2010, 11:03 PM

well i hope so. i dont see the average consumer being too excited to hear they have to pay ten dollars more a month than they would for say, the hero.i think the non techies will just say no, as i am now considering myself.

**fry8** · 05-12-2010, 11:05 PM

As a sprint rep I hope so.

**bdarknessb** · 05-12-2010, 11:07 PM

If this makes consumers back out, That guarantees my chances of having one in my hands on June 4th.. he he he he he

**Josh K** · 05-12-2010, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by fry8

As a sprint rep I hope so.

Do you recall anything like that ever happening?

**CeeDotSmith** · 05-12-2010, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by fry8

As a sprint rep I hope so.

I spoke to a Sprint rep today and she said the $10 is not mandatory if you are not in a 4G coverage area... can you reconfirm that?

**fry8** · 05-12-2010, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Extraordinaire

I spoke to a Sprint rep today and she said the $10 is not mandatory if you are not in a 4G coverage area... can you reconfirm that?

Im a sprint retail store rep, they don't tell us alot usually. The $10 fee is mandatory though.

**fry8** · 05-12-2010, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Josh K

Do you recall anything like that ever happening?

No I do not. It doesn't make sense becuase one can get a 4g aircard at the same price as a 3g card and they're both $59.99. If one has 4g they will most likely use more data as well than a 3g card, so the arguement that if you have 4g you will use more data is non sense. 4g is cheaper, and it is meant for heavy data traffic so it shouldn't put a burden on the network.

**MannyZ28** · 05-13-2010, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by fry8

No I do not. It doesn't make sense becuase one can get a 4g aircard at the same price as a 3g card and they're both $59.99. If one has 4g they will most likely use more data as well than a 3g card, so the arguement that if you have 4g you will use more data is non sense. 4g is cheaper, and it is meant for heavy data traffic so it shouldn't put a burden on the network.

If I remember correctly, Mr. Hesse said that 4G won't cost anymore. I think that is actually true and this is just a marketing spin on words. Since Sprint is expecting us to heavily use data with this phone, they are making it mandatory for us to sign up with this premium data plan. The premium part of that plan doesn't seem to be the 4G part, but instead is the truly unlimited, no data cap part. 5Gb probably won't last long with a user that really puts is Evo through its paces.

So, in essence, he wasn't lying, it's just that we all assumed that the 4G part was the premium part when they really meant the no data cap as being the premium part.

**Complex Pants** · 05-13-2010, 12:11 AM

Right, but with my pre I barely use more than 500MB on my heaviest of months because I am on Wifi 90% of the time, as are most tech people. Unless you travel a lot and are away from Wifi at work/school/home you aren't going to rack up that much data.

And if you do, have the option to add a $10 unlimited package onto your existing plan. It is very simple, as it is right now, I don't have access to 4G, and I don't use much data, so I am basically out $10 for no reason.

**fry8** · 05-13-2010, 12:14 AM

Ya all they would have to do is do the same thing they did with the aricards. Keep the 5gp cap on 3g and have unlimited on 4g for the same price. If you are going over the 3g then one can get the unlimited 3g for $10.

**Complex Pants** · 05-13-2010, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by fry8

Ya all they would have to do is do the same thing they did with the aricards. Keep the 5gp cap on 3g and have unlimited on 4g for the same price. If you are going over the 3g then one can get the unlimited 3g for $10.

Exactly. Then everyone is happy. I think Sprint will get a lot more customers this way too.

**fry8** · 05-13-2010, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Complex Pants

Exactly. Then everyone is happy. I think Sprint will get a lot more customers this way too.

I know and everyone would be happier. I'm especially pissed because this could wind up hurting my commision paycheck.

**MannyZ28** · 05-13-2010, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Complex Pants

Right, but with my pre I barely use more than 500MB on my heaviest of months because I am on Wifi 90% of the time, as are most tech people. Unless you travel a lot and are away from Wifi at work/school/home you aren't going to rack up that much data.

And if you do, have the option to add a $10 unlimited package onto your existing plan. It is very simple, as it is right now, I don't have access to 4G, and I don't use much data, so I am basically out $10 for no reason.

I didn't say that I liked what they did, but that is my interpretation of what Dan promised us. Slightly misleading...

But tell me bud, are you still gonna get one? You better say yes!

**Complex Pants** · 05-13-2010, 12:41 AM

Yes, but I am going to abuse the unlimited data as much as I can. Just a matter of principle.

**RikusHaven** · 05-13-2010, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by Complex Pants

Yes, but I am going to abuse the unlimited data as much as I can. Just a matter of principle.

I'm doing the same thing, haha. Instead of complaining I'm going to abuse it. =]

**Brett636** · 05-13-2010, 03:30 AM

Let me put it to you all this way. I have been forking over money to Sprint every month since March of 2001 for their service. On June 20th of this year that will end if they don't backtrack on this. That is a promise.

**avacomputers** · 05-13-2010, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Brett636

Let me put it to you all this way. I have been forking over money to Sprint every month since March of 2001 for their service. On June 20th of this year that will end if they don't backtrack on this. That is a promise.

You'd rather pay more elsewhere for 3g, than pay more for 4g with sprint?

**Corriewf** · 05-13-2010, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by avacomputers

You'd rather pay more elsewhere for 3g, than pay more for 4g with sprint?

You assume he is where there will be 4G......Most of us are not.

**dkotoric** · 05-13-2010, 07:40 AM

I think sprint is way over their head with this. I think they really expect this phone to sell and most of us tech users will buy it but for the average consumer (which is the majority) the phone is simply to big and they will not buy especially now knowing that it will cost them more. I know already 3 people that wanted to buy the Evo and because of the $10 fee they are no longer interested which is sad for sprint. They were already on the verge becasue of the size but still wanted to get them. Two of them own iphones and one is already with sprint. The 2 iphone users main reason to switch over was bc of the price but now they say its the same as att cause neather use text messeging so they will just get the 4th gen iphone. The sprint user has a Sero plan with sprint and was willing to drop the plan for the Evo but also said not interested anymore becasue of the $10 fee. Stupid Sprint.

**emeraldayotte** · 05-13-2010, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by avacomputers

You'd rather pay more elsewhere for 3g, than pay more for 4g with sprint?

Sorry but I still dont understand why folks are so upset by this. I don't currently have 4G and am not bothered at all by $10 upcharge for the Evo.

The plan is still comparable to plans for all the other hotphones out right now.

Evo: (Sprint)
450 mins - 69.99
unlimited messaging - included
unlimited data - included
visual voicemail - included
Evo 4G fee - 10.00
total - $79.99

iPhone: (AT&T)
450 mins - 39.99
data plan - 30.00
unlimited messaging - 20.00
AT&T Navigator - 9.99
total - $99.98

Incredible: (Verizon)
450 mins - 59.99
unlimited messaging - included
data plan - 29.99
visual voicemail - 2.99
VZ Navigator - (?)
total - $92.97

HD2: (T-Mobile)
unlimited mins - 59.99
unlimited messaging - 10.00
data plan - 30.00
visual voicemail - included
GPS - (?)
total - 99.99

The Sprint plan is still comparable with all the other carriers which don't offer 4G in any markets currently. Also I can't see there NOT being an upcharge once 4G rolls out.

**Mughato** · 05-13-2010, 08:26 AM

I thought Sprint was trying to get new customers from other providers?

**deparson** · 05-13-2010, 08:26 AM

For the average consumer looking for a smartphone Sprint won't be able to sell the $10 tax.

The whole pricing plan is FAIL and it is hard to understand why Sprint can't seem to get it right. It seems like they try to drive customers away at every turn despite great phones and service.

Originally Posted by Josh K

Anyone think there is a chance that Sprint will back down on either the optional hotspot charge or the mandatory $10 fee? Or at least lower them?

**Mystic205** · 05-13-2010, 08:34 AM

rather than complain here, i suggest anyone who feels this is an unfair charge to simply email

i for one, on principle will not pay $10 extra when my total usage is far far below most current BB and android users..

**Brainerd** · 05-13-2010, 09:08 AM

Verizon backtracked and eliminated the fee for the hotspot on the Palm Pre-Plus. Hopefully, Sprint will do that here. However, the EVO is bound to be more popular than the Pre-Plus and they may not need to do it if sales projections are not affected by the additional fee.

My next question would be, if they do backtrack, and remove the fee, would that retroactively apply to all of us suckers that get the EVO and pay the $10 extra on launch day?