5gb 3g cap

**lonwolf00** · 06-02-2010, 11:10 PM

i was wondering ive heard peopel say 3g would be uncapped but yet to see it in anything official, i called sprint to ask and was told 4g is unlimited but 3g would still be capped

ty 34 more hours to go

**shadowgod** · 06-02-2010, 11:14 PM

Sprint's "Everything Data" plans are unlimited data, regardless of what G it is.

If you're asking about data use on the EVO mobile hotspot, I don't know if 3G is unlimited on that. Anyone?

**NicksGarage** · 06-02-2010, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by shadowgod

Sprint's "Everything Data" plans are unlimited data, regardless of what G it is.

If you're asking about data use on the EVO mobile hotspot, I don't know if 3G is unlimited on that. Anyone?

Unlimited Data in the Sprint world is not unlimited. There is a 5GB download cap on their data plans. The $10 EVO tax uncaps it.

Now what the 5GB cap actually means, nobody seems to know. I look at my bill and it says I used 67mb of data last month yet I didn't get charged anything. Right now, Sprint is using the removal of the cap as a reason for the extra $10 a month.

EDIT: I should have said 6.7gb. I did some heavy tethering last month. Most months I don't tether at all.

**Okkoto86** · 06-02-2010, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by NicksGarage

Unlimited Data in the Sprint world is not unlimited. There is a 5GB download cap on their data plans. The $10 EVO tax uncaps it.

Now what the 5GB cap actually means, nobody seems to know. I look at my bill and it says I used 67mb of data last month yet I didn't get charged anything. Right now, Sprint is using the removal of the cap as a reason for the extra $10 a month.

Well of course not, you have a 5gb cap, and you used 1% of that, why would you be charged?

**leedawg** · 06-02-2010, 11:33 PM

Exactly what I was thinking. Why would he even expect to hear anything from sprint for only 67 megbytes of data. I think he meant 67 gb which is insane. Id rate myself as a power user but I honestly even tethering dont pull through much more than 5-6 gigs a month on my phone. I just dont do very data intensive things I guess through my phone on the road. I think to worst draw is netflix streaming.

So am I reading this correct that the 10 dollar charge is removing the 3G cap, ive heard both ways that it does not and some are saying it does.

**shadowgod** · 06-02-2010, 11:39 PM

So you guys have been charged for going over 5GB of data use on your phone in one month? On a Sprint "Simply Everything" or "Everything Data" plan? Because I haven't and I've had Sprint a long time. My plan and my bill both list "unlimited data", and these plans are advertised as such.

I'm unclear to where this "3G cap" idea came from, can you point me to where on Sprint's website it says it's unlimited data plans aren't really unlimited?

**DesertSilver#AC** · 06-02-2010, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by shadowgod

So you guys have been charged for going over 5GB of data use on your phone in one month? On a Sprint "Simply Everything" or "Everything Data" plan? Because I haven't and I've had Sprint a long time. My plan and my bill both list "unlimited data", and these plans are advertised as such.

I'm unclear to where this "3G cap" idea came from, can you point me to where on Sprint's website it says it's unlimited data plans aren't really unlimited?

Search "5GB" in the page linked above.

You can reach the URL above from the fine print of the "Everything" plans. Carriers that advertised unlimited data are not truly unlimited. But with the $10 EVO tax, it is said that 4G is really unlimited, but how this affects the 3G cap is up in the air.

**SaltyDawg** · 06-02-2010, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by shadowgod

So you guys have been charged for going over 5GB of data use on your phone in one month? On a Sprint "Simply Everything" or "Everything Data" plan? Because I haven't and I've had Sprint a long time. My plan and my bill both list "unlimited data", and these plans are advertised as such.

I'm unclear to where this "3G cap" idea came from, can you point me to where on Sprint's website it says it's unlimited data plans aren't really unlimited?

There is no 5 GB cap. Like you said, the plan desciption says it has unlimited data, the usage shows unlimited data (both online and on my bill) and I have never heard a peep from Sprint about me going over 5 GB (which I do often).

There is no such thing as an unwritten, and unenforced, soft cap. Either it is written, or it is enforced, or both. But if it is not written, and also not enforced, then it doesn't exist.

**SaltyDawg** · 06-02-2010, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by DesertSilver

Search "5GB" in the page linked above.

You can reach the URL above from the fine print of the "Everything" plans. Carriers that advertised unlimited data are not truly unlimited. But with the $10 EVO tax, it is said that 4G is really unlimited, but how this affects the 3G cap is up in the air.

That 5 GB in the terms is for data cards, phone as modem (tethering), and modems imbedded in laptops and netbooks. It is not for the smartphone plans (and does not claim to be either).

Look at any of the data card plans. They clearly say they have a 5 GB limit. Look at the smartphone plans. They clearly say they are unlimited.

**DesertSilver#AC** · 06-03-2010, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

That 5 GB in the terms is for data cards, phone as modem (tethering), and modems imbedded in laptops and netbooks. It is not for the smartphone plans (and does not claim to be either).

Look at any of the data card plans. They clearly say they have a 5 GB limit. Look at the smartphone plans. They clearly say they are unlimited.

I've read in several reputable sites that the 5GB cap is for data, including smartphones. This cap is rarely enforced as many can attest to going over this limit.

Below is a post I found really quick about EVO's 4G not having a bandwidth limit, compared to 3G's 5GB limit on AndroidandMe.

**waazzupppp#WN** · 06-03-2010, 12:06 AM

Saying there is no cap on smartphones is simply not true, right in the Everything Data with Any Mobile, Any Time agreement it clearly states that data is limited to 5GB on network and 300MB roaming. If you go over that amount or if over 800 voice minutes (on a single line plan) are billed as roaming, Sprint has the right to terminate your service. The real question is would they?

With the Evo, the same caps apply. Whether Sprint ever enforces them, who knows. I do know that using the Evo as a hotspot on 3G to 8 devices sure could run that up in a hurry.

**shadowgod** · 06-03-2010, 12:06 AM

Yes, that page says there is a 5GB limit for "Mobile Broadband Cards, USB Modems, Embedded Modems and Phone-As-Modem". That doesn't apply to using data on your smartphone. It's unlimited just like it says. My wife and I both have Palm Pres and we've used up to 10GB of data in one month with no extra charges or scolding from Sprint.

Anyone who says there is a cap on 3G data on your EVO is just plain wrong.

If you use "Tethering" or the mobile hotspot, that's a different story.

For example, if you have an "Everything Data" plan with five smartphones on it that are all heavy data users you can use up to 20GB or so a month. Do you think Sprint is going to tell you to stop that or charge you extra after you've been paying for an "unlimited data" plan? No.

**SaltyDawg** · 06-03-2010, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by DesertSilver

I've read in several reputable sites that the 5GB cap is for data, including smartphones. This cap is rarely enforced as many can attest to going over this limit.

Below is a post I found really quick about EVO's 4G not having a bandwidth limit, compared to 3G's 5GB limit on AndroidandMe.

Your reputable sources are wrong. Again, if it is not written, and also not enforced, then it doesn't exist.

I understand the Evo is not capped, but no other Sprint smartphone is capped either.

Like I said, go to Sprint's website and look at a data card plan. It clearly says it has a 5 GB limit. Then look at a smartphone plan. It clearly says unlimited. I have gone over 5 GB plenty of times, and my bill will show 7 GB of unlimited used (or whatever), and my online account usage will show 7 GB used - unlimited remaining.

Also, check out this website:

They have emails from Sprint posted admitting the smartphone plans are not capped, and other emails from Sprint higher ups that read the site (and didn't dispute the plans being uncapped).

Just so you know, it is actually illegal to advertise a plan as unlimited and then have a hidden limit. Verizon got in trouble for that exact thing and that is why they don't advertise their plans as unlimited anymore.

**waazzupppp#WN** · 06-03-2010, 12:14 AM

Again, its all up to Sprint if they want to enforce any of it. There is a cap on 3G smartphone data, that's not why VZW got in trouble, and 4G is all you can eat because it is only available on the Sprint Network.

**DesertSilver#AC** · 06-03-2010, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

Your reputable sources are wrong. Again, if it is not written, and also not enforced, then it doesn't exist.

I understand the Evo is not capped, but no other Sprint smartphone is capped either.

Like I said, go to Sprint's website and look at a data card plan. It clearly says it has a 5 GB limit. Then look at a smartphone plan. It clearly says unlimited. I have gone over 5 GB plenty of times, and my bill will show 7 GB of unlimited used (or whatever), and my online account usage will show 7 GB used - unlimited remaining.

Also, check out this website:

They have emails from Sprint posted admitting the smartphone plans are not capped, and other emails from Sprint higher ups that read the site (and didn't dispute the plans being uncapped).

Just so you know, it is actually illegal to advertise a plan as unlimited and then have a hidden limit. Verizon got in trouble for that exact thing and that is why they don't advertise their plans as unlimited anymore.

Hey not trying to argue since you're most likely right and Sprint's TOS back up your claims. I'm just saying that I've read things directly related to the EVO that mention the 5gb cap on 3G such as the AndroidandMe link I posted (conveniently, I can't find any other links at the moment). Not that I ever come close to 5GB...

**SaltyDawg** · 06-03-2010, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by zcarman

Again, its all up to Sprint if they want to enforce any of it. There is a cap on 3G smartphone data, that's not why VZW got in trouble, and 4G is all you can eat because it is only available on the Sprint Network.

Wrong. If sprint wanted to start enforcing a cap on smartphoones they would have to let everyone out of their contracts because it would be a change in terms of the contract. My plan is unlimited and it doesn't say anything about a limit anywhere- not in the plan description, not in the online account usage, and not on the bill.

And that is exactly why Verizon got in trouble, get your facts straight:

This is not even debatable.

**TheOnlyMorgan** · 06-03-2010, 12:26 AM

It'd suck to cap people's usage on this phone(even over 3G) being you can do everything on 3G that you'll be able to do on 4G with this. Qik video chat and streaming, Youtube HQ, Fring video chat if you choose. It's stuff like that, that's reason they've decided to charge an extra $10 a month. The possibility of using all these capabilities to the phone's potential will add up in data usage. They're giving people a lot to do with their phone, many apps of which are pre-installed. Would be a joke to start enforcing a phantom "cap" on people now with a flagship device.

**waazzupppp#WN** · 06-03-2010, 12:49 AM

@SaltyDawg I do stand corrected as I re-read the TOS for the 10000000 time... I do see where it's only cards, modems and phone as modem... So I apologize!

But a quick side note on VZW's lawsuit. It was over Torrent site access, downloading illegal content and use of 'unapproved' applications that affected the performance of their network.

From your link above: Verizon had to pay settlements to users that had their service terminated because they did so "without disclosing that common usages such as downloading movies or playing games online were prohibited. The company also cut off heavy Internet users for exceeding an undisclosed cap of usage per month"

They didn't term people for 'just going over their 'invisible' data limit, it was their TOS that didn't prohibit activities that were detrimental to the network - so VZW changed everyone's contracts and dropped a bunch of people - and that was in 2004... Through 2009 VZW was still offering UNLIMITED WEB and EMAIL for Smartphones (or BlackBerry) and still had in place the 5GB cap.

From Verizon's Site: Email and Web for Smartphone
Use your PDA/Smartphone for personal email and Web surfing.
Access up to 10 personal POP3 and IMAP email accounts, including Yahoo!® Mail, AOL® Mail, Windows Live® Hotmail®, and Verizon.net.
Easy email account setup.
Unlimited Web Browsing.
Voice Usage: Per your voice calling plan.
Just
$29.99 monthly access
When added to qualifying voice plan.

They get around the legal issues of having their 5GB cap with the 'unlimited web browsing' but not streaming, downloading or torrenting. It's all stupid, and I was never throttled on VZW, but that's what they do now instead of dropping you. You simply get a slower connection.

Now, Sprint has this covered with the following line from there DATA section in the TOS: Services are not available for use in connection with server devices or host computer applications, other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions, or as substitutes for private lines or frame relay connections.

Also in that section is the following line: Services are not available with all Sprint phones. Usage is calculated on a per kilobyte basis and is rounded up to the next whole kilobyte. Rounding occurs at the end of each session or each clock hour and, at which time we deduct accumulated usage from your plan, or assess overage or casual usage charges. They then add this under the roaming agreement: (3) a majority of data kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming is grounds for termination of service.

I will agree that the TOS is very 'fuzzy' about the actual limit on phones, but from what was explained to me was that if you only use 'approved applications' you will not run into any problems what-so-ever. I also don't think that Sprint would EVER enforce any of the limits due to the fact that their network isn't congested, speeds are adequate and they need the bodies to keep making money.

Thanks for clearing up the Phone vs Modem limit debate though!

And A Quick PS: The $10 charge is due to the fact that the EVO is going to use more data with it's 'almost full HTML5 Browser and YouTube HQ player' not due to the access or non-access of 4G data.

**uh60james** · 06-03-2010, 01:41 AM

I agree that there is no limit. Read the terms and conditions. It only states a cap for modems, pam, etc not for smartphone. I would have to leave Sprint if it applied to phones as I am roaming on Verizon at home and would exceed the 300mb cap monthly.

**SaltyDawg** · 06-03-2010, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by zcarman

But a quick side note on VZW's lawsuit. It was over Torrent site access, downloading illegal content and use of 'unapproved' applications that affected the performance of their network.

From your link above: Verizon had to pay settlements to users that had their service terminated because they did so "without disclosing that common usages such as downloading movies or playing games online were prohibited. The company also cut off heavy Internet users for exceeding an undisclosed cap of usage per month"

Emphasis added by me...

**SaltyDawg** · 06-03-2010, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by uh60james

I agree that there is no limit. Read the terms and conditions. It only states a cap for modems, pam, etc not for smartphone. I would have to leave Sprint if it applied to phones as I am roaming on Verizon at home and would exceed the 300mb cap monthly.

There actually is a cap on data while roaming, so you want to be careful with that. The unlimited only applies to while you're on the Sprint network.

**uh60james** · 06-03-2010, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by SaltyDawg

There actually is a cap on data while roaming, so you want to be careful with that. The unlimited only applies to while you're on the Sprint network.

Yeah, key words from the terms and conditions are may and majority. I'm pretty sure I use more on the home network.

Sprint may terminate service if (1) more than 800 minutes, (2) a majority of minutes or (3) a majority of data kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming.

**SaltyDawg** · 06-03-2010, 02:33 AM

Originally Posted by uh60james

Yeah, key words from the terms and conditions are may and majority. I'm pretty sure I use more on the home network.

Sprint may terminate service if (1) more than 800 minutes, (2) a majority of minutes or (3) a majority of data kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming.

They only need to meet one of those conditions on order to terminate you. Also, if you have 300 megs of data while roaming you can be terminated.

I don't know how Sprint is handling it these days (been losing a lot of customers so they may not be terminating anyone these days) but I know a year or 2 back I read many posts about people getting letters from Sprint saying they had 30 days to port their number out because the account was being terminated for roaming too much.

So there is no 5 GB data cap. It's not written anywhere, and it's not enforced. But the roaming cap is real. It's actually written in the terms and plan descriptions, and at least used to be enforced (and may still be enforced for all I know).

**spectremANDROID.** · 06-03-2010, 07:51 AM

I think that whether there's a data cap or not is almost irrelevant considering that, soon, all the major carriers will have done away with truly unlimited plans. It's already begining to occur at AT&T. It's only a matter of time, realistically speaking.

...and not much time, if past trends are any indication.

But, who knows. Maybe those of us fortunate enough to get on-board the 4g, 2-way video calling wagon, can be "grandfathered" until the next great phone with the next great feature-set arrives.

Business as usual...

**skeeve** · 06-03-2010, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by spectremANDROID.

I think that whether there's a data cap or not is almost irrelevant considering that, soon, all the major carriers will have done away with truly unlimited plans. It's already begining to occur at AT&T. It's only a matter of time, realistically speaking.

...and not much time, if past trends are any indication.

But, who knows. Maybe those of us fortunate enough to get on-board the 4g, 2-way video calling wagon, can be "grandfathered" until the next great phone with the next great feature-set arrives.

Business as usual...

Actually there's evidence to suggest that this won't be happening with more than AT&T. For one, AT&T's change is due mainly to the fact that they are having a lot of trouble supporting all their users' data needs because if you want an iPhone, you're limited to AT&T and lots of people want iPhones. Lots of people also want Android phones however. Android phones use more data than iPhones now, but that load is distributed more evenly over a lot of carriers.

Because android has more carrier options, carriers are forced to compete more. And that means that we, the users, will always have the option of a better service.