Sprint to no longer offer unlimited data - NOW HAS A CAP of 5GB/month!

[J Kinkaid]

Starting July 17th Sprint will cap data at 5gb a month and if you go over that they may cancel your account .

more info can be found in this thread



http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1371662&page=1&pp=15

[Tony Laubach]

Starting July 17th Sprint will cap data at 5gb a month and if you go over that they may cancel your account .

At least it gets me through the brunt of the chasing season... not sure exactly how much I do use on my data card monthly to be perfectly honest, so I guess we'll see.

If that is true and I am a 5gb+ user, I would imagine I'll pay more attention to failed downloads that would add towards the 5gb and make sure they hear about it EVERY SINGLE MONTH. :D I will not pay for data that didn't make it because their service crapped out. I imagine they'll get a lot more of those "failed connection" complaints.

[Joey Ketcham]

I don't think I would worry much about this, you would think that if this were true that Sprint would have pulled the unlimited package from their site and have at least some type of notice up, but there is nothing and they still offer the unlimited plan. Also why would they put a cap on their data plan when their competition provides the same service with unlimited data? I don't think Sprint would be dumb enough to do that.

[J Kinkaid]

I wonder if they will let old customers stay grandfathered in our chose not to enforce it like ATT does . I wouldn't be shocked if Tmobile buys Sprint in the next year and saves Sprint from losing millions each year

[Mark Sudduth]

Tmobile and Sprint are not compatible in their networks. Kind of like Nextel and Sprint were not and look how THAT turned out. Hopefully Sprint can stay Sprint- they've been around a long time and have the best overall data system in the U.S. built from the ground up. Time will tell.

[Mark Sudduth]

Here is a recent CNBC story about Sprint & Tmobile- among other things.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/24460668/site/14081545

[Scott Weberpal]

I don't think I would worry much about this, you would think that if this were true that Sprint would have pulled the unlimited package from their site and have at least some type of notice up, but there is nothing and they still offer the unlimited plan. Also why would they put a cap on their data plan when their competition provides the same service with unlimited data? I don't think Sprint would be dumb enough to do that.

Verizon and ATT both have a 5GB cap...neither have a truly unlimited plan. If this happens with Sprint, I'll move over to Alltel.

[mike scantlin]

is this going to cause problems with autonet mobile?

[Scott Weberpal]

Autonet is a completely seperate entity from Sprint or any other carrier. Autonet has their own contracts and deals with the carriers who provide service to them.

[Steve Polley]

This may be a deal breaker for me if they actually enforce it. I wonder what this will do to those of us that are running live streaming such as myself. Im sure it wouldnt take long to rack up 5GB during a few chases in a month. If this holds true, like Scott, I will be switching to alltel as well.

[Ben Holcomb]

How many are actually using 5GB per month? I chased a few times, and used my data plan extensively last month including streaming a lot of video and only managed to use 837 megabytes. Almost half of that appears to be streaming video (Judging by my archives)

Are you all using your cellular plans as your primary internet too or just downloading large files on it? I guess I just use mine for mobile use, and tend to not download large files unless its absolutely necessary.

[James Siler]

Tmobile and Sprint are not compatible in their networks. Kind of like Nextel and Sprint were not and look how THAT turned out. Hopefully Sprint can stay Sprint- they've been around a long time and have the best overall data system in the U.S. built from the ground up. Time will tell.

Tmobile and Sprint may not be compatable technology wise but if they due like Alltel did when they bought the AT&T Wireless network in Oklahoma, they changed it to CDMA, which makes me wonder if they do buy Sprint, will they change Tmobiles customers to CDMA or will they force a migration to GSM? Intersting to say the least.

[Scott Weberpal]

How many are actually using 5GB per month? I chased a few times, and used my data plan extensively last month including streaming a lot of video and only managed to use 837 megabytes. Almost half of that appears to be streaming video (Judging by my archives)

Are you all using your cellular plans as your primary internet too or just downloading large files on it? I guess I just use mine for mobile use, and tend to not download large files unless its absolutely necessary.

I use mine as full-time home internet. I have no other high speed options available where I currently live in the country other than high speed through satellite (hughes or starband, etc) which is horribly slow and over priced compared to Sprint. I know there are months I don't go over 5GB, but I also know there are months I go well over.

I hope Sprint lets me drop without an ETF due to the plan changing, either that or let me stay grandfathered with the old plan.

[Jason Foster]

At least it's not the old days.....like my 1998 cell bill of about $1700 because of roaming charges and a great 9600 data rate (took like 4 minutes for the visible sat image to load).

To me, it's all about what the charge is for overage. I don't mind paying a few hundered more in one or two months of use, when I need it. Better than paying a huge monthly amount for data I'm not using.

Oh, and for the streamers, why don't you just be more selective of the streams. I don't watch much now, but if your streaming during down time or waiting for the cap to break, just turn it off and save the bandwidth.

[Bill Schintler]

How many are actually using 5GB per month? I chased a few times, and used my data plan extensively last month including streaming a lot of video and only managed to use 837 megabytes. Almost half of that appears to be streaming video (Judging by my archives)

Are you all using your cellular plans as your primary internet too or just downloading large files on it? I guess I just use mine for mobile use, and tend to not download large files unless its absolutely necessary.

While chasing for 12 hours daily and downloading data constantly during that period (including streaming level-2 radar the entire time), I average on the order of 500mb/day. I'm AT&T, which also has a 5GB limit. Prior to entering into the contract, I spoke with several sales and customer service reps who assured me that the limit is loosely enforced and is in place to protect the provider against a very small minority of customers who consistently use enormous amounts of bandwidth (such as running a server). I was promised that if I go over 5GB from time to time, there would be no problem nor would there be extra charges. I was assured that this cap would be enforced only in cases where the customer uses well in excess of the 5GB month after month. It is more of a legal “out” for the provider to terminate the contract in the event that a customer always uses excessive bandwidth. I suspect that this is the case with other providers who have a limit. For anyone who uses a data plan primarily for chasing, I can't imagine that this is a problem.

- bill

[Dennis Sherrod]

I have done a pretty good bit of streaming in the last two months and my computer is running at least 12 - 14 hours per day while I am out on the road, which was 18 days this past month. The bill I just paid today was 2.596 out of 5.0 allowed. I think it will take a lot of usage to get to 5.0 unless you use it as your main source of internet conection at home as well as on the road.

[Ryan McGinnis]

How many are actually using 5GB per month? I chased a few times, and used my data plan extensively last month including streaming a lot of video and only managed to use 837 megabytes. Almost half of that appears to be streaming video (Judging by my archives)

Are you all using your cellular plans as your primary internet too or just downloading large files on it? I guess I just use mine for mobile use, and tend to not download large files unless its absolutely necessary.

I use mine for primary internet. Heck, my podcast/vidcast RSS feed alone probably pops over 5GB a month. Alltel doesn't seem to mind, at least not yet.

[Ben Holcomb]

For what it's worth, I saw an ad for Verizon today during the Red Wings game.. They have a 50mb/month plan for $39.99 and they're advertising their $59.99 a month plan as 5GB now instead of Unlimited. That changed recently.

[Jason Foster]

.... I'm [on] AT&T, which also has a 5GB limit. Prior to entering into the contract, I spoke with several sales and customer service reps who assured me that the limit is loosely enforced and is in place to protect the provider against a very small minority of customers who consistently use enormous amounts of bandwidth (such as running a server). I was promised that if I go over 5GB from time to time, there would be no problem nor would there be extra charges.......

- bill

I would be suspicious of vocal claims over written contracts. I've been promised so many things before. Never trust a salesman. Half the time they don't know, or make stuff up. Sometimes they work on commission, so they have a vested interest to lie to you to make you feel better about signing a contract.

[rdale]

I've heard a boatload of claims from my Verizon sales rep - and I don't get to see the contract (corporate) so I'm taking their word :)

[Dennis Sherrod]

I would be suspicious of vocal claims over written contracts. I've been promised so many things before. Never trust a salesman. Half the time they don't know, or make stuff up. Sometimes they work on commission, so they have a vested interest to lie to you to make you feel better about signing a contract.

Jason, that is a fairly broad statement to make about salespersons Considering every single item in the world was, is, or has been for sale in some form or another, that is a lot of people not to trust and a lot of people that don't know what they are talking about.
And... I was told the same thing about my ATTservice plan as Bill was. The worst that can happen is I will pay more should I run over or I will get another service, but that doesn't justify "never trusting a salesman."

I also looked at your website and you are Selling your stuff too. Does that mean you should never be trusted, half the time you don't know what you are talking about, and you say stuff on your website just so someone will buy it?

[Scott Weberpal]

Jason, that is a fairly broad statement to make about salespersons Considering every single item in the world was, is, or has been for sale in some form or another, that is a lot of people not to trust and a lot of people that don't know what they are talking about.
And... I was told the same thing about my ATTservice plan as Bill was. The worst that can happen is I will pay more should I run over or I will get another service, but that doesn't justify "never trusting a salesman."

I also looked at your website and you are Selling your stuff too. Does that mean you should never be trusted, half the time you don't know what you are talking about, and you say stuff on your website just so someone will buy it?

I have the same general sentiment that Jason does. I don't think he's talking about your general store customer service folk, he's talking about the auto salesmen, the phone salesmen, etc. A large percentage of them WILL make erroneous claims to get you to sign a contract. I worked for a car dealership for a year which is locally known as being an honest, reputable dealer because they aren't pushy. Little to people know what goes on behind the scenes and how easily customers are manipulated by a few words. Needless to say, I left after finding out what really goes on behind the scenes. Major cellular companies work in the same general way. One may attract you because of better customer service, but NEVER believe anything until it's written on paper in front of you.

[David Poch]

It looks like it is now official.

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2343/64/

I guess customers will get a letter and be able to opt out and cancel without a fee.

I just signed up for a sero account this week. Since I have DSL at home I don't think the cap is going to be a big deal for me.

[Jason Foster]

Dennis: Yes, was mine a general made statement and doesn't apply to everyone. I just didn't think I needed to be so specific to make a list of those to trust and not to trust. I think most people would get that. But sorry if it wasn't written well enough, I make that mistake from time to time.

On the front of the Sprint bit. The only way around it that I seem to have found is if you have a special contact within Sprint (ie an employee) and they are authorized to give the special SERO (employee discount). So needless to say, I may find myself trying to become friends with a Sprint salesman in the end:rolleyes: .

[Mark Blue]

I agree with what Bill Schintler said earlier, I think they are doing this to safeguard their network from the minority few who are download freaks and not sensible mobile geeks. I would be surprised if they busted every single user who exceeded these limits, especially if it was on an infrequent basis. I choose to believe they are targeting the users who abuse the service on a regular basis. Watch them cancel my service now that I've jinxed myself!!

[David Poch]

On the front of the Sprint bit. The only way around it that I seem to have found is if you have a special contact within Sprint (ie an employee) and they are authorized to give the special SERO (employee discount). So needless to say, I may find myself trying to become friends with a Sprint salesman in the end:rolleyes: .

I ordered mine off of http://www.sprint.com/sero and used the email address savings@sprintemi.com. Not sure how long that is going to last though.

[J Kinkaid]

From what I am hearing this cap will not apply to buisness customers

[J Kinkaid]

sprint is selling broadband with a 5 gig limit now on there site

[John Wetter]

Since this was announced, I've been watching my bandwidth usage during chases. I seem to use about .25GB to .75GB per chase day, depending on how much streaming I do. I think the biggest impact of these restrictions will be on streaming. We'll likely have to move toward only streaming when something interesting is happening, not all the driving around beforehand... Which is fine with me. The big question will be with the roaming data. Sprint's software doesn't track the differences right now, as it's just a running total. While chasing in Kansas, I'd go on and off of roaming and the number just continues, so I might have hit the roaming cap, but I wouldn't know. So, I'd average being able to have data for about 10 chase days per month next year... with minimizing streaming and no Level2 data.

-John

[Jay Cazel]

I went to pay my Sprint bill yesterday and noticed that they changed the look of the billing page on the web site showing now data use. I went back and looked at how much I have used so far this month and it was 836756kb used. My bill started om May 17th and does not end untill June 16th. I don't do any video streaming, all I use it for is Grlevel3, some Grlevel2, F5 data, spotter net and some web pages from time to time when I am in EVDO areas. That also includeds data use from the phone its self. I use a treo 700p. I wish I could go back and look at last months data use but all is shows is the old bill format.

[Paul Stofer]

FWIW, I just got off the phone with Sprint. They advised me that if you were under contract before this change goes into effect that you would be grandfathered in under your current unlimited plan...

[Jerry Prsha]

FWIW, I just got off the phone with Sprint. They advised me that if you were under contract before this change goes into effect that you would be grandfathered in under your current unlimited plan...

I got the same answer from a Computer Consultant's list I belong to. As long as you join the program before July 1, you will have unlimited data. Past that point, you're given a limit.

I wonder what happens if you decide to change phones.. Can you renew the same contract or will you have to get knocked down the limited data plan?

[J Kinkaid]

You can change phones all you want but if you change your data plan you will lose it

[David Schuttler]

Unless it's in writing , I wouldn't trust anything being said.

[Jason Foster]

FWIW, I just got off the phone with Sprint. They advised me that if you were under contract before this change goes into effect that you would be grandfathered in under your current unlimited plan...

Didn't you mean your would NOT be grandfathered.

[Eric Friedebach]

I’ve had occasion to talk to several Sprint tech support people over the past week.

Business customers will be grandfathered in, however, two out of the three folks I spoke to said consumer accounts will not. In all instances I was put on hold for several minutes while they researched my query.

[Scott Weberpal]

The FINAL word from sprint is that ordinary customers (not business) will NOT be grandfathered in. You have 30 days to cancel your plan ETF free or you will be locked into the 5 GB cap. It's in the letter that sprints sends letting folks know of the change. Most sprint reps have no idea what is going on with the cap and you'll get a different answer with each rep. This is being discussed extensively on EVDOforums.com with folks much more knowledgeable about this than anyone on here.

[Chris Wilburn]

I wanted to bump this thread to get some more opinions on this. I am not concerned with the 5gb a month limit with Sprint, but I am VERY concerned about the 300mb roaming cap that Sprint has set. It seems to me that this will be an absolute killer for people who chase using Sprint. I really see no other option that to change to a different carrier which is very sad since Sprint worked awesome for me all year after switching over from AT&T. At first I was hoping we would be grandfathered in but that has since been confirmed that Sprint will not do this.

The business account will be grandfathered in and be unlimited, but this was only if you signed up with a business account by late July I believe. I didn't know about this change until later than 30 days so I will not be able to cancel without paying the early termination fee. Maybe I will just have to go over the cap at home so they will disconnect me :) I am totally fine with the 5gb cap, but the 300mb roaming cap looks to be doom for chasers. I was just wanting to get other Sprint users opinions to see what they plan to do and what other options are available. The bad thing is that sooner or later all of the carriers will adopt the very low roaming caps and they will be no better off than Sprint.

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2343/64/

[Tony Laubach]

I've been a data card customer for quite some time, so I really don't know how the grandfathering deal will work for me as I've been a card holder for well over a year now. I have received no notice of any changes to my account per this writing, and as far as I see with my account, I am still unlimited.

[Chris Wilburn]

Tony,

Sprint sure is sneaky about it. I just checked my usage on Sprint.com and it says unlimited. However, I looked back on Sprint.com on previous bills and the bill that was due on June 10th said the following on page 2 of the bill. You might log on to your account and look at your past 3-4 statements and see if yours says the same on one of them. Again it is on page 2 of the bill on the left side.

Connection and Phone as Modem
Plans T&Cs Change
Effective in 30 days, Sprint reserves the right
to limit throughput speeds or amount of data
transferred and to deny, terminate, modify, or
suspend service if usage exceeds 5 GB/month
in total or 300 MB/month while roaming off
network. Check your rights under the T&Cs

After looking at past bills on Sprint.com I found out that this bill was the only one that mentioned these changes. You are supposed to have 60 days to cancel without paying the early term. fee but it is over 60 days now so I guess I am screwed. Not to mention we lost the very nice and convenient roaming agreement with Alltel once they were purchased by Verizon. Sprint appears to be going downhill very fast. Like I said before I am OK with the 5gb a month cap, but not the 300mb roaming cap as this is very troubling for storm chasers. You can also go to EVDOforums.com and they talk about it there as well.

[Billy Griffin]

I received a notice via email from Sprint that they are also cancelling their email service! Not that it's a big deal in comparison to this 5GB limit, but what on earth are they thinking? I have primary internet service through Cox and Comcast, but those email accounts do NOT alloy relaying, so in order to send in video clips, photos, etc.; I have to use the bgriffinxxxxx@sprintpcs.com email address account. Now that that's going away, guess I'll have to use some other webmail service like Hotmail, etc.

I've had Sprint service since 2000, and I've always felt they have been just a step ahead on their technology when it came to mobile data. But I may have to rethink things - especially on the roaming limit.

[Philip Flory]

Not cool.

I have had Sprint for the last couple years and have been fairly happy with the data and price. I relize the company is having financial issues but doing this stuff isn't the answer. Im not sure how much the 300mb roaming limit will affect me. It appears about 50/50 Sprint vs roaming on the coverage map of the areas I chase. I don't do streaming and really don't d/l a ton of data overall but the overage stuff concerns me. Are they going to put a roaming data indicator up on the Sprint site now too to track?

What else is out there? Alltel was nice but is VZ now. ATT I would want an IPhone and that doesn't allow tethering.

I really would like this non-cell mobile stuff to get moving... if this Autonet or whatever was going by next Spring I would bite.