Welcome to South Dakota... (Sprint)

[dcvanderbush]

The whole catch is the fact that my number is from this market. The way I understand it, is even if one were to travel to outside the market and try to activate on a number from Eastern South Dakota, the activation would be blocked by corporate because of the agreement and the ongoing state of negotiations. I actually worked for three summers for the Utilities, of which Swiftel is one branch, and the pay was great, the work, believe it or not was pretty substantial... no we didn't just hold up shovels. The company is a bit slow to implement new technology, but I'm pretty sure that has more to do with the fact that it's a government owned business and there are many more budget and appropriations hoops to jump through before money just goes flying out the door.

 

[Gekko]

something doesn't sound right. go get a second and third opinion. otherwise - go get a Verizon Incredible.

 

[Prkl8r]

I would wait until Sprint starts selling them directly, then do it online or over the phone. I would be SHOCKED if Sprint would not do something to get their flagship product out to a customer (including that extra $10).

 

[god_trentonj]

The whole catch is the fact that my number is from this market. The way I understand it, is even if one were to travel to outside the market and try to activate on a number from Eastern South Dakota, the activation would be blocked by corporate because of the agreement and the ongoing state of negotiations. I actually worked for three summers for the Utilities, of which Swiftel is one branch, and the pay was great, the work, believe it or not was pretty substantial... no we didn't just hold up shovels. The company is a bit slow to implement new technology, but I'm pretty sure that has more to do with the fact that it's a government owned business and there are many more budget and appropriations hoops to jump through before money just goes flying out the door.

That would make sense. I had a Wisconsin number when I lived in SC (and still do) so that is probably why I was able to get a Tour out of the SC market and bring it back in with me.

 

[Averix]

I've got a shiny EVO sitting on my desk that I've been using for the last couple weeks. They're currently trying to get it switched over to my usual Sprint number. I'm guessing this is actually going to be a non-issue, but if they come back and say I can't have it on my local Sprint provider, there will be some interesting follow up discussions to say the least.

 

[Averix]

Still not working

Well, after calling in this morning and being told they would call back later in the day, I decided to try the online chat thing. Apparently they are currently unable to figure out how to put the $10 charge on my account. This would be in keeping with the earlier discussion in this thread as to that being the issue why the phone isn't in Swiftel-land. I will keep pinging them via phone until I get a definitive answer from Sprint. I'm thinking this would make a good local news story...

 

[Averix]

Well, it's now rebooting itself and claims the user name doesn't match the blah blah so they're doing something to it. Poor phone. So much OTA abuse.

 

[BooSwiftel]

So, Here I am, in Eastern South Dakota along the I-29 Corridor; where, oddly enough, our "Sprint" network infrastructure is actually owned and operated by a local city's municipal utilities. That's right, from Watertown, SD to south of Sioux City, IA the Sprint towers are under the control of the Brookings Municipal Utility company. The first downer here comes in the form of a lack of 4G coverage, however, I realize that the vast majority of the nation is currently suffering through the same situation. Now, for the major downer for a man with hist 4th Pre....

Since the "Sprint" coverage is essentially franchised to the local utilities, the Evo will not be for sale in this market; as of right now. I talked to the market representative from "Sprint" a.k.a. the utilities board, and they are currently trying to work it out so that the Sprint retailers in the area: 1 Best Buy, Numerous Radio Shack's and Sprint stores, will be able to carry the phone. However he said that hitting the launch date looks like it could be a bit of a stretch.

Last, but not least, Not only can a person with a local cell number not purchase an Evo close to home, if he/she were to pre-order one, the OTA activation would not be valid, and would then render the handset useless.

The explanation I received was along the lines of: If you were to get an Evo, and travel outside of our market to an area offering 4G coverage; the city's utility company would, in essence, have to pay roaming charges to Sprint for your data usage on those trips.

This is supported by the fact that the local Best Buy, in Sioux Falls, has display dummies and pricing for the Overdrive and 3G/4G single access point broadband cards.

Wow... this sucks...

Yea, I'm from Sioux City, but I'm current at college where the coverage isn't from Swiftel and I'm trying to nag Sprint to find a way around this ordeal. Could you please update me with any news you hear about this?

 

[Averix]

Well, now the EVO doesn't connect to anything with its temporary number. I called in and the nice lady said there is a note they will call you when it is switched over or if it can't be resolved. So, I'm going to be the one thing in this world I never am... patient. If it isn't functional by noon tomorrow, they will be getting pestered again.

 

[Averix]

All better

Up and running. Big fan of Sprint corporate. Really not big fan of Swiftel cartel.

 

[michyrae]

Did you end up having to use a phone number from a different market??

 

[Averix]

Yep. Sucks, but gave me a clean break from my ancient contacts. LOL

 

[michyrae]

I had to do the same thing. My Evo came in the mail today and I ended up with a phone number that is like 200 miles away from here in order to get it activated.

 

[snewcomb]

Where do you guys live that you have them? I'm in Sioux Falls and of course was told i couldn't have the Evo. I guess I'm wondering where you ordered them from and how did you get Sprint to give you a number from another market?

 

[michyrae]

I am in Sioux City. I ended up ordering mine online. Once I received it, I called sprint to have it activated and told them I needed a number in a different market from mine. They went ahead and gave me a number based out of Des Moines I guess and then my Evo activated with no problems.

 

[dtreo]

All of this talk about SD makes me want to head back to visit for a buffalo burger at Al's Oasis...now that and some 4G service would make for a nice lunch! Although a cheese steak and 4G here out east is nice too.