Sprint S3 info (from insidesprintnow)

[slackerjack]

Actually part of Network Vision includes upgrades to Sprints 3g network in addition to LTE. What they've done in Atlanta is pretty remarkable...I went from 200k DSL to around 1.5-2mb/sec...that's on the Evo LTE from before and after June 1st...my wife's Galaxy S 2 has seen similar...if not as dramatic changes to 3g speed...though she's constantly on wimaxx so it matters less

Sent from my EVO using Android Central Forums

 

[equishd]

i must say i am a little worried about sprint 3g network. but with the family plan costing me $75 for unlimited data and text + $200 worth of free drop box, The additional of Google wallet [just for the experience and WiFi everywhere i think i can live with my choice.

 

[KSmithInNY]

I'm a firm believer in voting with my dollars so when sprint removed platinum, and upped the ETF fee, i understood but that doesn't mean I can't also adjust my strategy. What i decided is i like sprint and their monthly costs and coverage are good, but letting them subsidize $250 or whatever of a phone, to charge me $350 plus to disconnect seems a little one sided. I now buy all my phones out right full price MSRP so if something happens that causes me to leave, it's more level and technically I'm ahead because they stop getting my monthly payment. Sell the phone to cover MSRP of new carrier device, and away i go.

As a side note, the carriers buy the phones in bulk from the OEM and get them at a reduced cost. They may purchase a phone for 400 per unit, but the MSRP is $600 meaning they really didn't subsidize any physical money, they subsidized the difference between "at cost" and MSRP. I don't work for a carrier and never have but this is according to an acquaintance who does so take it with a grain.

 

[equishd]

uh.... sprint has a decreasing EFT.

Learn about Early Termination Fee

 

[KSmithInNY]

uh.... sprint has a decreasing EFT.

Learn about Early Termination Fee

Yep they pro rate it, but when you put all the cards on the table, it looks like carriers are dealing from the bottom of the deck. A bill was being passed (legislation S2825) to legally force carriers to prorate fees but was ultimately dropped with a back room hand shake and the carriers agreeing to do it. The problem with that kind of crap is while the big boys agreed, not everyone did got Google some FCC love over the Nexus 1.

During the FCC probe they determined the carriers actually prorated on average $14.33 per phone and the average cost to sprint per cancelled contract was $9.18. They also found that a 60 month subscriber to sprint, over the lifetime, brought $3,665 in revenue while costing Sprint $357 in support, advertising, etc. ( Source 2010 FCC inquiry)

You can read the FCC inquires and carrier responses HERE

With all that said, if you sign a contract, I have no sympathy and my response is lay in your bed. But, that's exactly my point in that by me eating the cost of the device up front I'm empowered to react with no fear of financial ramifications.

I do like what T-Mo does though where if you pay MSRP for a phone they reduce your monthly costs because they aren't carrying any subsidy (liability) for your business.

EDIT - Thought I should clarify a little. My intention wasn't to bash Sprint, I love Sprint, rather to explain why I don't view any carriers pro rated ETF as being consumer friendly because the consumer is basically the only one with any form of "skin in the game". I understand not everyone has $600 to spend on a phone, and contracts are a good thing for some. It's just when I look at the information, it's clearly not a mutually beneficial contract and any tiny bit of leverage i can add to my side I'm going to take. Again, I feel no pitty for those who do accept a subsidy, do sign a contract, then complain about things like ETF.

 

[EndlessDissent]

As someone who is planning on signing a 2-year contract when I upgrade to the S3, I have to agree with you. A contract is a binding agreement, and if you break that agreement, there must be a consequence. I have no problems with the existence of the ETF fee, though $350 does seem a bit high. I guess that's how you keep customers from breaking the contract. It works. None of the major carriers really have fair contract terms, but it sucks that the only non-contract option (T-Mobile) restricts your network access without a contract (yes, I know you can have a plan on any carrier without a contract, but T-Mobile is the only one that gives you lower monthly payments).

My personal view is that if I'm paying the same every month whether I have a contract or not, I'd rather sign the contract and get the cheaper phone. If I want a new phone before the end of the contract, I'll just have to pay full price like I would without the contract.

 

[eyecon82]

yep, sprint will have the s4 chip, dualcore, and 2gb of ram...and still in pebble blue versus metallic blue