Poll: Whose turned off by the $10 buy up for the Evo?

[fry8]

What I don't understand is that the whole point of charging extra per month for tethering is because one would use more data on a computer than compared to a mobile phone. Of course This is an arguable point so for the sake of the argument lets just hold this to be valid. If one is paying an extra $10/month for unlimited data, why is there an extra charge on top of that for tethering?

 

[ewhiteboy]

How are you people serious about this outrage of $10 bucks more a month?! It's the only phone that is going to be able to access 4g network and when coverage comes to your area eventually, unless you live in BFE, you will be in a completely different boat than everyone else. When it comes down to it it's only $120 more a year and it will be worth it. You know Sprint spent a lot of money getting the towers set up for 4g and you know they have to have some way to pay for it all and it's not surprising at all that we will have to do it. this is seriously a NON-issue for those who are die-hards about this phone, and there is a real simple way to resolve it: don't get the phone.

 

[trojandnc]

NO other carrier has a phone that does what this phone does. When they get a phone that uses the mega-bandwidth that the EVO will they WILL charge more... trust me.

 

[Corriewf]

How are you people serious about this outrage of $10 bucks more a month?! It's the only phone that is going to be able to access 4g network and when coverage comes to your area eventually, unless you live in BFE, you will be in a completely different boat than everyone else. When it comes down to it it's only $120 more a year and it will be worth it. You know Sprint spent a lot of money getting the towers set up for 4g and you know they have to have some way to pay for it all and it's not surprising at all that we will have to do it. this is seriously a NON-issue for those who are die-hards about this phone, and there is a real simple way to resolve it: don't get the phone.

Because there is a decent amount of us that will pay this fee for a year and a half and possibly the life of the contract without 4G. That's a no brainer.

 

[Corriewf]

NO other carrier has a phone that does what this phone does. When they get a phone that uses the mega-bandwidth that the EVO will they WILL charge more... trust me.

On 3G this phone will not use anymore bandwidth than any other phone. Geesh man, don't fall for everything a mega billion dollar company tells you to get more money from you.

 

[unbobfinch]

To those who think $10 is no big deal...
If everyone on my family plan gets an EVO the $10 per line is a 25% increase to my bill. If each line also adds the $29.99 mobile hot spot, my bill increases 94%. That's a pretty steep increase if you ask me.

 

[Slingbox]

EDIT: ^unbobfinch^ reading my mind

The '$10.00 posters its no Big deal' aren't looking at the big picture.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

On 3G this phone will not use anymore bandwidth than any other phone. Geesh man, don't fall for everything a mega billion dollar company tells you to get more money from you.

this phone can easily use about 200% more bandwidth for the average user.

Upload a bunch of vga size youtube videos to understand just how much data the qik video conferencing app is gonna use. Then double it because you're sharing video in duplex mode when using the vid conf. app.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - we better just hope that Sprint uses this money to shore the existing 3G network if the phone turns out to be as popular as everyone thinks it will be.

 

[LABLE]

To those who think $10 is no big deal...
If everyone on my family plan gets an EVO the $10 per line is a 25% increase to my bill. If each line also adds the $29.99 mobile hot spot, my bill increases 94%. That's a pretty steep increase if you ask me.

Yeah I think $40 more a month would be a little much, but maybe compare it to other carriers see where you come out. With the mobile hot spot, do you really need it on all 4 phones? It supports up to 8 devices.

 

[Corriewf]

this phone can easily use about 200% more bandwidth for the average user.

Upload a bunch of vga size youtube videos to understand just how much data the qik video conferencing app is gonna use. Then double it because you're sharing video in duplex mode when using the vid conf. app.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - we better just hope that Sprint uses this money to shore the existing 3G network if the phone turns out to be as popular as everyone thinks it will be.

I doubt when the iPhone HD comes out, ATT will charge a 10 dollar premium. Also this isn't the first Android phone/windows mobile phone on Sprint service. It shouldn't use much more data than any other smartphone on their service.

Anyway, I emailed the CEO and did get a response.

-----Original Message-----
From: CEO
To: ME
Sent: Thu, May 13, 2010 6:33 pm
Subject: Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions (KMM70643633I15977L0KM)

Thank you for taking the time to write. We review all the ideas and
feedback we receive. A representative from my office will be contacting
you very soon.

In the meantime, I encourage you to visit Cell Phones, Mobile Phones & Wireless Calling Plans from Sprint to learn more.
Sprint offers the best value in the industry and makes using wireless
simpler and more worry-free through our Simply Everything plans. Our new
Any Mobile, Anytime feature on our Everything Data plans helps you to
break free of restrictive "calling circles." And, our Ready Now program
allows you to make an appointment with a store representative to become
an expert on your device.

Once again, from all of us at Sprint, thank you.

Dan Hesse
CEO, Sprint

My response:

-----Original Message-----
From: ME
To: CEO
Sent: Thu, May 13, 2010 8:40 pm
Subject: Re: Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions (KMM70643633I15977L0KM)


Hello Dan,

Although I doubt you actually personally read my message I will respond none the less. I would be more than happy to take advantage of your everything data plan if it actually gave me everything data. It's false advertising at it's best and that is my opinion. I would love to switch to Sprint and bring all of my friends. I have been marketing your EVO to as many iPhone owners I can. The EVO is a great phone right now and it was up to you to either use it as a marketing tool or dangle it over the heads of those wanting it. You have thus far succeeded in using it as a means to deter those looking for real value, great service, and a smartphone device at Sprint. Will you still get sales? Yes. Will many now look at getting the iPhone HD coming out in June instead? Yes. They are not charging a premium for the iPhone internet service versus any other smartphone device's internet service. The processor on the EVO only effects the speed of which data is processed, not the amount that is used. The HD use of the camera only effects the amount of data when using a 4G signal. Many of your customers do not have 4G service and will have their HD videos downscaled when sending them via 3G. You are charging $10 for enhanced data on the EVO that simply will be the same exact experience on any other Android 3G phone in a 3G region.

Please find a way to let me and others on the fence make you money by simply switching to your service. A lot of us are not interested in paying for something twice with the Everything Data plan and $10.

Thanks,

Corrie

 

[Gameboy70]

I'm more annoyed by the reasons Sprint offered for the extra $10 than the charge itself.

A "richer data experience" when not in a 4G area?

My Sprint Palm Pre has a very rich data experience and yet I'm not paying $10 extra. Or how about a faster processor, better camera, etc..

When did a carrier think it could charge monthly fees for advances in manufacturer hardware vs carrier upgrades? Does your broadband provider charge more because you have a faster computer?

Ugh, Dan Hesse was doing so well with Sprint's customer relations.

Sounds like you weren't around a year ago when SERO subscribers were being forced to upgrade to an Everything Plan for the privilege of owning a Pre. Sprint used the same arguments about the Pre being more data-intensive back then, despite having Windows Mobile phones that were no less so.

Technically, the "richer data experience" the $10 buys is the removal of the 5GB cap on both 4G and 3G service, which is why Sprint has shrewdly avoided referring to the fee as a "4G" charge, but a "Premium Data" charge. If they did state that the fee was for 4G, customers would have contractual grounds to have their ETF waived if they chose to cancel their contract, since they would be paying for a service stated, but not provided. Sprint would also open themselves up to a possible class action suit. Simply put, they're charging for how much data they enable, not how much you'll use.

I have to agree with the earlier poster who said that Sprint would've engendered less hostility if they had just charged $79.99 instead of having to discuss a separate $10 line item.

As for me, I'd always rather get something for nothing, but the extra $10 isn't enough to dissuade me from getting the Evo; but I'll definitely be rooting the phone for native Froyo tethering instead of paying the $30 hotspot charge.

 

[IBeBangin]

I'm probably just as much a cell phone junkie as all the other people in the forums. And i too have been waiting for a new sweet phone to come out such as the EVO. But i am let down by sprint with the extra $10 for the 4G/WiMax not because of "being cheap", but because when we had old plans (SERO, Free&Clear disconts, etc.) they made us upgrade to the new "Simply Everything" if we wanted a new phone...especially when the Pre came out. Now on the almost anniversary of yet another highly promoted phone that lots of us have gotten excited about and they slap us with ANOTHER "extra added plan" for the phone. It?s like come on sprint can?t you just come out with a sweet phone (or two) that?s got what the people want and not put "extras" on it every time. After a while you just start noticing a pattern: "1" nice phone (per year), add a LITTLE bit more to your bill. "1" nice phone (per year), add a LITTLE bit more to your bill. Those types of changes make people a little ?Iffy? about purchasing ?the great new device from sprint? when they see things like that on a regular basis.
?just my 2 cents on it.

 

[fry8]

Can someone please explain this to me?:

The whole point of charging extra per month for tethering is because one would use more data on a computer than compared to a mobile phone. Of course This is an arguable point so for the sake of the argument lets just hold this to be valid. If one is paying an extra $10/month for unlimited data, why is there an extra charge on top of that for tethering?

 

[Rizop]

Can someone please explain this to me?:

The whole point of charging extra per month for tethering is because one would use more data on a computer than compared to a mobile phone. Of course This is an arguable point so for the sake of the argument lets just hold this to be valid. If one is paying an extra $10/month for unlimited data, why is there an extra charge on top of that for tethering?

that is really strange. I guess the extra 10 is for extreme data usage minus tethering. It would really stink if you paid for this supposed unlimited data charge, but were unable to use tethering due to living in a 3g city. It still may be cheaper than the competition, the device itself is going to be awesome, but this whole situation is really strange. Theres always going to be negativity and dissent when a new device is released, but i feel like this "ride" is bumpier than usual. Its funny because the Incredible forums were pretty positive(with some exceptions) when the release date/price was announced

 

[fry8]

that is really strange. I guess the extra 10 is for extreme data usage minus tethering. It would really stink if you paid for this supposed unlimited data charge, but were unable to use tethering due to living in a 3g city. It still may be cheaper than the competition, the device itself is going to be awesome, but this whole situation is really strange. Theres always going to be negativity and dissent when a new device is released, but i feel like this "ride" is bumpier than usual. Its funny because the Incredible forums were pretty positive(with some exceptions) when the release date/price was announced

You can still tether if you only have 3g.

 

[Rizop]

awesome thanks!

 

[glamisfanatic]

here is why the 10 bucks is so disappointing:

1. This is just another smartphone. It will already start to be outdated in 6 months just like any other smartphone. Dual core snapdragons are slated to be in phones by the end of this year. It's technology, the top never stays on top. Will you still want to pay 10 bucks a month when your phone is outdated? I love the evo but this is true folks. Look at every phone that has ever come out.

2. Most people live in 3g areas and will not see hd vids on the internet. They will not be able to send people hd vids via mms email etc. They will be pixalated just like on the iphone on 3g. The 10 bucks is for nothing if you live in 3g.

3. The ceo said it was cheaper to produce a gig of data over 4g than on 3g. He said it would be free. Now he comes out with this $10 charge. It makes him a liar and as someone thinking to switch to sprint for the evo, i am not sure i can trust sprint. I for one need to be able to trust that my service will be what the provider says it will.

4. If you are in a 3g area and you pay for the everything data, you have already paid the 30 bucks a month that other companies charge for unlimited internet etc. You are paying for the "enhanced" experience already and then again if you are paying 10 bucks on top of that. It's like buying a soda at 7-11 and then getting charged again if you want to drink it. Bs.

5. Sprint has to produce 4g signal. I applaud them for doing it first, but the fact of the matter, if you want to be a cell phone company in the us, you have to have 4g. The other cell phone companies will be providing 4g as well. It is just the way of doing business in the cell phone industry. Instead of holding 4g and the evo over your head as extortion to get 10 bucks per month, it should be just a normal day of business. Every other cell phone company is trying to provide the best phone and 4g service ( eventually ) and they won't charge this. They will welcome the new customers and upgrades for it.

6. Related to 5 but whatever. Wimax is doing sprint a favor more than it is doing the customer. They will save money in the long run using 4g over 3g as it is a cheaper technology that can produce data and handle more data for less money. Why should i invest money into a nest egg for sprint? I pay for my service and they make money from that...no need to 4g tax me.

2g : 20
3g: 30
4g: 40
5g: 50?

qft

 

[maddmatt02]

I was turned off... for the night. woke up this morning and was wondering what Id use my upgrade for if not this... was thinking moment 2 but with no news about it at all really, I figured what the hell and headed over to best buy.

 

[beret9987]

Eh, I was bothered, still sorta am. I am in an upcoming 4G Area(San Francisco), and i could see this as a way for Sprint to bring in some extra revenue to use towards investments. Does it mean i like the idea of it? Nope. Extra 20/month on my bill(unless it gets a corporate discount). I do wish I could just disable 4G until it actually hit my area, and then shore up the cash for it though.

 

[Corriewf]

I will post my responses from the corp office tomorrow from my email to the CEO. Anyone happy about the $10 fee, if I find a way out of it, I will be sure not to share with you. There is no reason for those people to get out of paying something they try so hard to justify for Sprint. For those that do not wish to pay it, I will let you know when I find out how to get out it....via pm or whatever.