The truth: Why the extra fees are a rip off

[WatermelonSlim]

I am not happy about the extra fees. Yes, we all know Dan Hesse said 4G was so much cheaper to provide than 3G, and we know he said Sprint wouldn't charge us extra for it on the Evo. We also know Sprint currently doesn't charge extra for it on the mobile broadband plans. There is more to it than that though...

I keep seeing Sprint fanboys say ridiculous things like "It's still the cheapest plan out there" and "It's still the best deal..."

Lets put some facts to that bull. I have done the legwork for everyone. Here is the truth.

Sprint:
450 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited web: $70 right now + $10 for Evo so $80
1500 minutes 2 line family plan: $130 right now + $20 for Evo so $150
1500 minutes 4 line family plan: $170 right now + $40 for Evo so $210

T-Mobile:
Even More + (no contract, pay full price for device)
500 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited web: $70
1500 minutes 2 line family plan: $120
1500 minutes 4 line family plan: $180

Even More (2 year contract, subsidized device)
500 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited web: $80
1500 minute 2 line family plan: $160
1500 minutes 4 line family plan : $230

I know, I know, the fanboys will say, "But T-Mobile coverage sucks..."
Here is a fact:
"By the end of 2010, T-Mobile expects to have HSPA+ deployed across the breadth of its 3G footprint, covering more than 100 metropolitan areas and 185 million people."
Source:
Unsupported Browser

So how does T-Mobile's HSPA+ compare to Sprint's Wimax? Here are a couple of quotes from a test PC Mag did (both in Philly):
Wimax: "average of 2.25 megabits down and 628 kilobits up, with peaks of 5.13 down and 1.17 up."
HSPA+: "average download speeds of 3.12 megabits/sec, with peaks of 7.65, and upload speeds of 1.26 megabits/sec with a peak of 2.02."
Source:
WiMAX vs. HSPA+: The Hands-On Test - WiMAX vs. HSPA+ Roundup | PCMag.com

And here is a video of the folks at Pocket Now doing a speed test on their T-Mobile HD2 and pulling almost 9 megs:
YouTube - T-Mobile's HD2 Get's Almost 10Mbps Download

Keep in mind, that HD2 isn't even made for HSPA+. It just so happens that HSPA+ is backwards compatible with HSPA, so the HD2 benefits from it. However, T-Mobile will be launching at least one device to compete with the Evo this year, made specifically for their HSPA+ network. And T-Mobile is claiming it will be 3 times faster than Sprint's 4G, as well as cover more people this year.
Source:
T-Mobile will launch HSPA+ smartphone in H2 2010, 3x faster than Sprint HTC EVO 4G – Android and Me

I don't have Wimax in my area right now anyway. But even if I did, assuming I could get T-Mobile coverage here, why the heck would I pay Sprint even more money? The CEO tells you one thing and then does another, so we can't be surprised when their reps don't know what the heck is going on.

 

[deekoi]

I would hardly say it's a rip off but you have a good point and it's well documented. Nice job.

But it is still cheaper out there compared to the 2 big competitors our there Verizon and At&t. After all the main competitors to this phone would be apple (at&t), Incredible(verizon), nexus one and HD2 (which you laid out with t-mobiles plan)

But paying full price for the phone to get the $70 is hardly a bargain. It will take a long time to break even let alone make be cheaper.

Plus, not to be a sprint fanboy but they have been very cheap for me. They give a lot of credits and employee discounts. (my current discount is awesome%) So they have treated me very well. Any problems I have they work on fixing (well now they do since their customer support has gotten better).


So although you have some good points I'd still go with Sprint and it is still going to be cheaper for me.

 

[antianalog]

I'm eligible for a discount through Sprint and Verizon. Sprint offering naturally cheaper plans plus my 18% discount makes it a no brainer, and Sprint has great service here.

 

[RikusHaven]

Well, if you get coverage from T-mobile, then go with them. It all comes down to how good the coverage is where you are. I know some friends who travel a lot, who choose Verizon because they get good coverage, and I know a handful of family members who choose Sprint because the coverage is good where we live. I know a few who have T-mobile, and sometimes they don't have good coverage in some areas. So I still say go with what works with you. I'm staying with Sprint, and as long as the $10.00 mandatory fee means no cap on data, I'm more than happy to pay for it. To each their own.

 

[Bodar]

You make a pretty compelling case here. Is it confirmed that the $10 Premium data plan is per Evo in a Family Plan? That would straight-up suck. Talk about fumbling the ball at the 10 yard line...

 

[fr4nk1yn]

Bit T-Mobile coverage sucks. Plus literally everyone I know with T-Mobile is waiting to get out of they're contract. No1 reason CS but anyway.

This is not exactly contrary to what Hesse said.
I do believe he mentioned going away from minute buckets and going to data buckets.
This is the 2nd step, the first was any mobile to mobile.

Bottom line: they're expecting, and probably rightly so, Evo4G users will be data hogs.
Home broadband providers have been trying to get hogs to pay extra as well.
Don't think one phone can hurt your network look at the iPhone/AT&T.

I'm not happy I'll have to pay extra but I will and understand it . As long as the earlier reports that all shared phones would have to be on an Evo Specific plan.

I knew there would be something that drove people nuts but thought the phone would launch 1st.

 

[Darth Pooh#CB]

This is not truth.

Hesse said the DATA would not cost Sprint more. Which is the truth...

Implementation of the network... (buying Clear, Hardware, training, etc.) all cost money.

If you don't want to pay for the Evo pricing, than don't get the Evo. It's not rocket science, certain things in life have premiums. This is the best spec'd phone to be released... thus far. You can bet your sweet rear that for every person who says no thanks to the additional charge (.33 cents a day) there will be someone to take their place. This phone is that damn hot right now.

No, I am not a Sprint fanboy, rather, a realistic person who won't threaten Sprint since rates went up for something I really want.

 

[emeraldayotte]

Even More (2 year contract, subsidized device)
500 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited web: $80
1500 minute 2 line family plan: $160
1500 minutes 4 line family plan : $230

Comparing apples to apples, Sprint is on par or cheaper than T-Mobile plans.

But paying full price for the phone to get the $70 is hardly a bargain. It will take a long time to break even let alone make be cheaper.

Agreed!

Also once 4G is available for other carriers do you honestly believe that there will be NO additional charge for the new service? I can't see AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile giving 4G to consumers with plan rates increasing.

You're also forgetting features which will be included with Sprint that other carriers will charge additional for (visual voicemail, GPS Navigation, etc). So in the long run will I pay the additional $10....yes. Am I bothered by paying the additional $10 for 4G, video conference and whatever else is thrown in.....not at all.

 

[Cory Streater]

SaltyDawg: no offense but I'm just curious, if T-mobile works better for you based on coverage, performance, and pricing, why not just go with them?

Also, moved to carriers forum.

 

[deekoi]

You're also forgetting features which will be included with Sprint that other carriers will charge additional for (visual voicemail, GPS Navigation, etc). So in the long run will I pay the additional $10....yes. Am I bothered by paying the additional $10 for 4G, video conference and whatever else is thrown in.....not at all.

Yup,

You can bet Verizon will charge and At&t will for sure. T-mobile will probably do it too.

AND Sprint IS the first one in the 4G market. I would argue that it's not a in the shareholders best interest. Even though the counter argument can be made that it will boost subscribers but they have been investing all this money into the next generation and they need to pay it off and profit from it somehow.

With that note, being the first 4G, $10 is not a bad price. (of course we all wish it was free!)

 

[Jeremy]

SaltyDawg: no offense but I'm just curious, if T-mobile works better for you based on coverage, performance, and pricing, why not just go with them?

Also, moved to carriers forum.

Always go with the best working carrier and then choose a device... number one rule when shopping around.

 

[AggressorBLUE]

OP, you missed something in the first post.

The Sprint plan includeds Unlimited mobile to mobile calling, you only tap those 450 min when you call a land line. Both txt and calls are unlimited to any cell, on any carrier. As apposed to VZW, which to my knowledge (as a current customer) says they do unlimited mobile to mobile, but in the fine print points out that that's only to THEIR mobile devices.

Personally I think that's an important detail to leave out. I figure a new plan on sprint will cost around 90 for me. Take the 70 basic plan, the 10 for 4g, and 7 for insurance/extended warranty, plus tax.

 

[Tre Lawrence]

OP, you missed something in the first post.

The Sprint plan includeds Unlimited mobile to mobile calling, you only tap those 450 min when you call a land line. Both txt and calls are unlimited to any cell, on any carrier. As apposed to VZW, which to my knowledge (as a current customer) says they do unlimited mobile to mobile, but in the fine print points out that that's only to THEIR mobile devices.

Personally I think that's an important detail to leave out. I figure a new plan on sprint will cost around 90 for me. Take the 70 basic plan, the 10 for 4g, and 7 for insurance/extended warranty, plus tax.

I did not know this...

 

[ls3mach]

I did not know this...

It is true. We use about 8k minutes a month. I only have an 1500 minute plan and get no overages. Also Sprint Premier is a huge yearly discount. Plus my "employee" discount. SIM cards would be nice though...

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

You make a pretty compelling case here. Is it confirmed that the $10 Premium data plan is per Evo in a Family Plan? That would straight-up suck. Talk about fumbling the ball at the 10 yard line...

I agree. I know everyone says it's not a lot extra, but on a family plan with more than one Evo, Sprint gets dangerously close to Verizon's ghastly prices.

 

[ls3mach]

I never understand why people say Verizon is so great. If you have Sprint you can use Verizon's towers. Just switch to roaming. Data and voice are allowed to roam for free. I used to do this at my house where I couldn't keep a call from dropping.

 

[WatermelonSlim]

I agree. I know everyone says it's not a lot extra, but on a family plan with more than one Evo, Sprint gets dangerously close to Verizon's ghastly prices.

It is confirmed. I have spoke to about 15 different reps, emailed and chatted with several more, and they all tell me it will raise my bill $40 per month to upgrade my 4 Touch Pro 2s on my famile plan to Evos.

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

It is confirmed. I have spoke to about 15 different reps, emailed and chatted with several more, and they all tell me it will raise my bill $40 per month to upgrade my 4 Touch Pro 2s on my famile plan to Evos.

Ah, that is very sad. Bad move, Sprint. That is, if you want people to jump ship from other carriers. Thanks for the info, your Saltiness.

 

[Rigmaster]

Sprint's bad move was how they added the $10. They should have simply created new dual 4G/3G phone and plan packages and just said those packages could not be split at this time and were designed to emphasize true unlimited/uncapped data flexibility and speed performance.

That would leave everyone else with the only way to get 4G access through the USB card and Overdrive devices, which would cost more.

Yes, it's an extra $10 per Evo now. I guess I just see that as a $10 data cap removal charge for a phone that Sprint's almost begging me to use to it's fullest extent. I don't think Sprint's worried about upset existing customers getting so upset that they go to another carrier because that would only lead to more $. Oh, and no Wimax/4G for some time too.

 

[AnnDroid]

I just moved to Sprint after 6 years with at&t. I'm very happy with an unlimited data plan, even with the $10 per month 'fee'. With at&t, I was checking constantly to make sure I didn't go over my 2GB cap a month.

Sprint? I don't even look. $10 is my 'calm' fee. Everyone in my family uses cell phones, so it's easy to keep within the 450 landline monthly minutes.