Database Users

in light of at&t's new pricing we shouldn't complain about extra 10 for evo

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/atandt-makes-sweeping-changes-to-data-plans-iphone-tethering-comi/
http://gizmodo.com/5553418/att-just-killed-unlimited-wireless-data-and-screwed-everybody-in-the-process
those are the giz and engadget links.
basically they are getting rid of unlimited data and are charging you buy the megabyte/gigabyte. it's 15 a month for 200mb and 25 a month for 2gb. if you go over the 200mb limit on that plan it's another 15$ for 200mb that month. so that means for 1gb of use on that plan your paying 65$ for 1 gb on that plan. and if your on the 2gb plan it's 10$ for another 1gb. only good thing is if you use more than 200 you can switch to the higher priced plan and save some money, and it seems you can do this on a month to month basis.
there is a lot more stuff in the articles you guys should read. but honestly we shouldn't complain about the 10 dollars extra for the evo. for that ten dollars we get unlimited txt, unlimited data, and unlimited mobile to mobile. no other carrier can provide this. on other carries txting alone costs like an extra 20 a month for unlimited.
you know what i'll be happy to pay the 10 a month on the evo even though i live in miami without 4g. that 120 a year will just help get 4g out to everyone faster. we're lucky it's just ten. look at what other carriers are doing, we are really lucky.

good now more people will be coming to sprint lol

Nice! iPhone users will suck it up. haha that's funny new iPhone will users will love this

Haha this is sad. Happy i switched to flexpay
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i was going over my plan with a sprint rep the other day just to make sure i was ready for the evo and she told me that the unlimited mobile-to-mobile is ANY mobile, across any carrier! i had just assumed it was in-network mobiles.
thats freakin' AWESOME. way to go sprint

SilverStone641 said:
i was going over my plan with a sprint rep the other day just to make sure i was ready for the evo and she told me that the unlimited mobile-to-mobile is ANY mobile, across any carrier! i had just assumed it was in-network mobiles.
thats freakin' AWESOME. way to go sprint
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Yep, "Any mobile, any time." It's saved me so many minutes, and you get it long as you have an everything data plan.

Thank God I'm switching from AT&T. The new data plan prices are asanine. The point of getting an iPhone is to promote more web use. In life I learned that if you have too little of something you tend to need/use/want more. AT&T will make a killing off overage buckets.
Netflix is supposedly coming to the iPhone. Are you telling me that 200mb a month will suffice when streaming a movie. You will easily use that just watching ONE movie. You have to be a fool to even consider those plans an option.

To be honest, if it was not for Sprint's price, I would be with Verizon. So the extra $10 is not a super deal breaker... it is just annoying, but still maybe a bit cheaper then Verizon. I just hope that those extra $10 help install a bunch of
4G towers everywhere because I want to get my money's worth.
What annoys me is that I am supposed to get unlimited, but it was always known to have a soft cap at 5gb. So now I bet they will enforce it. Does my $10 make it truly unlimited in 4G AND 3G? I get no clear answer here. Because I KNOW that I will be on 3G more than 4G...
Also... I used to get free tethering in Sprint with my plan (I have a shared plan with my wife, 1500 mins, unlimited) Do I no longer get that? Do I have to pay the stupid $30/month for that? That is what annoys me.
Also what will happen when/if they go to 2.2? Will they disable the hotspot in Froyo?
As far as ATT is concerned... I just feel sorry for them, and for those that have to use them. Verizon makes a good point that your phone is only as good as your network, and theirs sucks. My buddy has to walk outside to send a text on his iphone. Many of the people I work with have Iphones that don't work well at all where we are. They would rather deal with THAT then give them up. I feel sorry for them to be that blinded. Have a phone that does not work at your place of work just to have an iphone... that is retarded.

$250/mo with AT&T or Less than $100/mo with Sprint. I could care less about the $10 premium for 4G considering how much I used to pay. I believe that these new plans will drive many people away.

cpnichols said:
To be honest, if it was not for Sprint's price, I would be with Verizon. So the extra $10 is not a super deal breaker... it is just annoying, but still maybe a bit cheaper then Verizon. I just hope that those extra $10 help install a bunch of
4G towers everywhere because I want to get my money's worth.
What annoys me is that I am supposed to get unlimited, but it was always known to have a soft cap at 5gb. So now I bet they will enforce it. Does my $10 make it truly unlimited in 4G AND 3G? I get no clear answer here. Because I KNOW that I will be on 3G more than 4G...
Also... I used to get free tethering in Sprint with my plan (I have a shared plan with my wife, 1500 mins, unlimited) Do I no longer get that? Do I have to pay the stupid $30/month for that? That is what annoys me.
Also what will happen when/if they go to 2.2? Will they disable the hotspot in Froyo?
As far as ATT is concerned... I just feel sorry for them, and for those that have to use them. Verizon makes a good point that your phone is only as good as your network, and theirs sucks. My buddy has to walk outside to send a text on his iphone. Many of the people I work with have Iphones that don't work well at all where we are. They would rather deal with THAT then give them up. I feel sorry for them to be that blinded. Have a phone that does not work at your place of work just to have an iphone... that is retarded.
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never heard of a cap on sprint so don't know about that. and there are at least 5 different ways to tether on an android phone through either root or applications like pda-net. i think it's like 10 dollars and once you buy it you can tether all you want with the program. the 30.00 a month thing is for people who don't know about those type of things.

cpnichols said:
Also... I used to get free tethering in Sprint with my plan (I have a shared plan with my wife, 1500 mins, unlimited) Do I no longer get that? Do I have to pay the stupid $30/month for that? That is what annoys me.
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If you tethered with Sprint for "free" you were stealing data.
cpnichols said:
... that is retarded.
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that's offensive.

pididente said:
If you tethered with Sprint for "free" you were stealing data.
that's offensive.
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i always wondered why it was ok to talk about tethering hacks but not about warez / hacked apps... both should be considered stealing.
and i am so over this "anti-retarded" movement. i think it is retarded...

gqstatus0685 said:
Thank God I'm switching from AT&T. The new data plan prices are asanine. The point of getting an iPhone is to promote more web use. In life I learned that if you have too little of something you tend to need/use/want more. AT&T will make a killing off overage buckets.
Netflix is supposedly coming to the iPhone. Are you telling me that 200mb a month will suffice when streaming a movie. You will easily use that just watching ONE movie. You have to be a fool to even consider those plans an option.
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Click to collapse
Keep in mind netflix on the ipad too, that runs on 3g as well and is restricted to the caps
cpnichols said:
To be honest, if it was not for Sprint's price, I would be with Verizon. So the extra $10 is not a super deal breaker... it is just annoying, but still maybe a bit cheaper then Verizon. I just hope that those extra $10 help install a bunch of
4G towers everywhere because I want to get my money's worth.
What annoys me is that I am supposed to get unlimited, but it was always known to have a soft cap at 5gb. So now I bet they will enforce it. Does my $10 make it truly unlimited in 4G AND 3G? I get no clear answer here. Because I KNOW that I will be on 3G more than 4G...
Also... I used to get free tethering in Sprint with my plan (I have a shared plan with my wife, 1500 mins, unlimited) Do I no longer get that? Do I have to pay the stupid $30/month for that? That is what annoys me.
Also what will happen when/if they go to 2.2? Will they disable the hotspot in Froyo?
As far as ATT is concerned... I just feel sorry for them, and for those that have to use them. Verizon makes a good point that your phone is only as good as your network, and theirs sucks. My buddy has to walk outside to send a text on his iphone. Many of the people I work with have Iphones that don't work well at all where we are. They would rather deal with THAT then give them up. I feel sorry for them to be that blinded. Have a phone that does not work at your place of work just to have an iphone... that is retarded.
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the limits are:
3g = 5GB/month
4g = real unlimited
and yes sprint will disable tethering in froyo, they disabled gps in the sprint touch so only they could use it with their navigation app(which they charged for)

Yeah i seen the ATT price changes yesterday also. WTF are they thinking? Maybe the iPhone and it generated traffic is actually killing thier network after all. I would blow through 200mb in a day. I am a little over 5gb so far this month with VZW.

srtpusher said:
i always wondered why it was ok to talk about tethering hacks but not about warez / hacked apps... both should be considered stealing.
and i am so over this "anti-retarded" movement. i think it is retarded...
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yeah but with tethering it's not like you don't have the ability built in and data is data regardless of device so you shouldn't have to pay so much for the option. 15 or 20 is "reasonable" 30 is a little much in my opinion. and with the new 10 dollars extra we get "truly unlimited data" 3g and 4g. i don't consider it stealing, i consider it circumventing an idiot tax but thats just me.

thorpe24 said:
...the 30.00 a month thing is for people who don't know about those type of things.
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+1
People who don't know any better will get the $30 tethering package. However, being on XDA probably means that 98% of us know better. I am willing to bet that the following will work:
ROOT + Wi-Fi Tether app = Free Wi-Fi tethering.

actually some one has tried it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=694047
this thread has stuff about wifi-tether etc.

Just because you can afford the extra $10 for whatever reason they give, does not negate the fact that its bogus. Changes are always incremental, so if you delay or prevent increases in fees, the less you pay in the long run. By letting any company do this without complaining, it makes it alright in their eyes and they will do it more often. Wouldn't you from a business standpoint?
Besides, Sprint has been bleeding postpaid customers for years, they should continue to bring in new people with the low plans and not tax the higher end users (cuz they know they will pay)

Sprint Premium Data add-on

Here is my conversation regarding the Sprint Premium Data add-on (i.e. Awesome phone, surcharge.):
James: Hi! I'm a live Sprint product specialist. Are there any questions I may help answer for you today?
You: yes
James: What questions can I answer for you?
You: I currently have the everything data family plan with 1500 minutes. If I upgrade to the EVO do I need to change my plan?
James: I would be happy to check if you will have to change your plan with the HTC EVO.
James: Let's move this chat and make it a window of its own. That way, you'll still see this web page while we chat. Please click 'Yes' to move it now.
James: Thank you for moving the chat.
James: The HTC Evo will not require you to change your plan but it will require the Premium Data add-on.
James: A $10 Premium Data add-on will apply allowing customers to take advantage of all that HTC EVO 4G can do.
You: like what for example?
James: This device provides a premium experience like no other and is truly second-to-none. Customers will enjoy unlimited 3G or 4G data with EVO!
You: is 4g service offered in NJ?
James: May I please have your zip code to verify that for you?
You: 08721 and 07724
James: May I please have your zip code so I can check what Mobile Broadband Plans are available in you area?.
James: I'm sorry, about that.
James: Thanks, would you mind holding while I check?
You: sure
James: I'm sorry, unfortunately we do not offer 4G in your area.
You: when do you plan to offer 4g in my area?
James: In 2010, Sprint expects to launch service in multiple markets; however, specific cities have not been announced.
You: so what is the $10 charge for then?
James: Think of this charge as the price for paying for a first-class seat on an airplane. The rich data experience that comes with EVO ownership puts users in a class by themselves.
James: With a 4.3” screen, Advanced Processor and an 8MP camcorder/camera; these features provide capabilities that were previously never available on a wireless device.
You: but that's what the phone does not the service. what does the service provide for that $10?
James: Because we've boosted your data experience with this phone's amazing services and features, you'll need the $10 Premium Data add-on.
This was like trying to nail jello to the wall. As much as I want this phone I don't know if I can justify an extra $10 on top of what I pay for the everything data family plan and an aircard.

logosolos said:
This was like trying to nail jello to the wall. As much as I want this phone I don't know if I can justify an extra $10 on top of what I pay for the everything data family plan and an aircard.
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wifi tether and eliminate a bill, or simply just compare to at&t/verizon prices. still can't beat them.... we sprint customers are spoiled and fail to look at the rest of the cell companies out there

looneylu said:
wifi tether and eliminate a bill, or simply just compare to at&t/verizon prices. still can't beat them.... we sprint customers are spoiled and fail to look at the rest of the cell companies out there
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I concur. We'll see what website activation does for my plan... or if it'll not let me because it's an Evo.

wifi tether and eliminate a bill, or simply just compare to at&t/verizon prices. still can't beat them.... we sprint customers are spoiled and fail to look at the rest of the cell companies out there
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I would just tether except for the fact that I'm locked in a two-year contract with my aircard. I could compare it to at&t and verizon but that's a fallacious argument. I think where my frustration comes in is the fact that they're charging me for 4G service with only a vague promise that I'll get it. But I think what really bothers me is the fact that it just seems dishonest.
I would gladly pay for the 4G service separately if they offered it in my area but I don't see why I have to subsidize other peoples' service.

I feel like everyone who says "Yes" is in a 4G market and everyone who says "No" isn't.

wastingoctober said:
I feel like everyone who says "Yes" is in a 4G market and everyone who says "No" isn't.
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LOL Yeah I guess that kinda makes sense.

i work for sprint and im iffy about the situation im like 50/50 on it does it suck yea but if thats what i have to pay to get unlimited data and for sprint not to **** everyone like at&t then yea **** it why not

I'm not in a 4g market but 10$ is nothing compared to the useless things I spend ten bucks on every day
It really don't matter to me. Don't let 10$ stop you. From this phone
P.S. the sprint online reps is just bots that are program with tags to answer your question if I say the same thing ill get the same answers from them.
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Doesn't it also remove the soft cap on 3g service?

I wasnt thrilled about the extra $10 charge (especially being we have TWO Evo's) and not being in a 4G area but at the end of the month, my bill is still $30 less than with VZW and now my wife has internet on her phone also.
Plus both our phones are rooted and wifi tethered so thats $30 less per phone I have to pay.

logosolos said:
I would just tether except for the fact that I'm locked in a two-year contract with my aircard. I could compare it to at&t and verizon but that's a fallacious argument. I think where my frustration comes in is the fact that they're charging me for 4G service with only a vague promise that I'll get it. But I think what really bothers me is the fact that it just seems dishonest.
I would gladly pay for the 4G service separately if they offered it in my area but I don't see why I have to subsidize other peoples' service.
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Ask Sprint to move the Aircard contract over to the $30 a month HotSpot tether. That way you can decrease you monthly expenditure by 1/2 and still get a good experience with it.

mrmomoman said:
Ask Sprint to move the Aircard contract over to the $30 a month HotSpot tether. That way you can decrease you monthly expenditure by 1/2 and still get a good experience with it.
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Perhaps I'll look into doing that. Thanks for the tip.

From what I understand, the $10 extra that you are paying is for truly unlimited data for both 3G and 4G. Otherwise there is a 5GB limit (supposedly) for 3G. I know of a couple of people who have gotten this phone who are going to dump their home wired internet service and just WiFi tether from their rooted phone.
With 2GB caps announced at AT&T and rumors of Verizon following suit, be glad you can get truly unlimited Internet. Just wait until the Netflix app comes out and you will start streaming HD through your phone and outputting it over micro HDMI to your big screen TV.
The possibilities of this phone is staggering.

ChrisDos said:
With 2GB caps announced at AT&T and rumors of Verizon following suit, be glad you can get truly unlimited Internet.
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exactly, but for how long? i'm content with paying $10/mo for unlimited data, but if sprint decides to start tiered pricing in a few months, i'll be upset.

I know... Sprint has always been good to me which is why I use them. Much better than AT&T or Verizon as far as their billing practices go and service. I had an AT&T rep at the mall tell me that they offer "unlimited data service up to 5GB." I then had to explain to him what unlimited meant.
Sprint also tried to downgrade my unlimited plan for my aircard when I upgraded to they're new WiMax device. They waved that carrot in front of my face for free and I took it, hook line and sinker. Then I called them up and went ballistic and they changed it back cause I've been with them a long time.

I was told and have posted this a couple times now, the $10 fee isnt for a service, thats right not a service, not $10 for 4g/3g/extra data we may, or may not use.... the $10 extra is, to put it simply, for the device(evo) and im not complaining(yet) I'd pay an extra 10 a month for it for a while without being to pissed off, but after this 1st year i may start complaining a little

$10 to lose the cap
I live in Atlanta in a 4g market. 4g does not quite make it in my house or anywhere at work unless I am standing next to the window.
I have downloaded 1.5GB over the past 3 days, over 3g only so I am happy to not have the 5gb cap.
My data averaged 6GB on my T-mo MyTouch3G, they allow up to 10GB so it was no problem there either.

gabemeyers said:
I was told and have posted this a couple times now, the $10 fee isnt for a service, thats right not a service, not $10 for 4g/3g/extra data we may, or may not use.... the $10 extra is, to put it simply, for the device(evo) and im not complaining(yet) I'd pay an extra 10 a month for it for a while without being to pissed off, but after this 1st year i may start complaining a little
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So the $10 monthly fee isn't even for the service it's for the phone itself... nice. Has that ever happened before in the history of phones?
I'm not renting or leasing it. I bought it. I am paying Sprint for the service. And now I'm paying them a monthly charge to use a good phone? No thanks. It looks like a slippery slope to me.
I think I'll stick with my Hero.

ChrisDos said:
With 2GB caps announced at AT&T and rumors of Verizon following suit, be glad you can get truly unlimited Internet. Just wait until the Netflix app comes out and you will start streaming HD through your phone and outputting it over micro HDMI to your big screen TV.
The possibilities of this phone is staggering.
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Your right. Most of the 4 major carriers are cracking down on they data. att and verizon will soon cut or charge more for data. att already took out unlimited data.
Be happy that sprint really stick to they word and give you "simply everything"

Yes Simply Everything but EVO unless you pay an extra 10 bucks.

Perhaps a legitimate reason for the $10/mo EVO fee

Just a thought I had today, but since the $10 fee did seem to come out of no where, but sometime after they said the 4G would be free at CITA, and since they haven't expressly said it was for the 4G data...
Perhaps, they knew the first batch of phones were going to have the screen problem, as well as other problems, but they found out after they had several thousand/hundred thousand made, thus knowing they were going to have to replace a hell of a lot of phones within a month or two and with this so-called "Prem Data Fee" they could regain some of the money for replacing all the early adopters phones.
I don't have the screen problem...yet, but I'm going to be exchanging mine because the speaker is half blown or something in the earpiece.
Any takers on the idea?

Doubt it, but it's definitely an excuse to pad their pockets a bit more, since Sprint has the lowest margins across all post-paid providers.

I was thinking more along the lines of the stupid amount of data we are going to be using on these phones with 4g. on 3g alone i've used 350mb in 3 1/2 days (i love it) Honestly this 3g is really fast, faster than verizon and t-mobile thus far (speed test prove it). I get better signal is area that my verizon phone does, but that might because its a storm 2 ()

Interesting theory, but I think it's a bit far fetched. I truly think the $10 is for unrestricted data usage, which I am thoroughly enjoying.

I for one hope they plan to use the extra money to strengthen and expand the 4G coverage.

It is a little bit far-fetched, but you never know. Last minuet stuff always happens and companies might make drastic measures to compensate themselves.
It was just a thought, especially since they've never actually said the fee was for the data, it's for the phone experience, which directly links it to the phone, if you go by what they say the fee is for.

why is everybody obsessed with this fee
the reason the fee exists is because the market will bear it.
whether that makes you happy or sad is on you

strung said:
the reason the fee exists is because the market will bear it.
whether that makes you happy or sad is on you
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Strung you are boosting the IQ of the forum with answers like these
Lord knows we need all the help we can get since I'm on here bringing us down

Probably the same ideology as to why AT&T ditched the unlimited data plan right before or when the iPhone 4 was announced.
Sprint needs customers and since the EVO is going to be one major source of income and/or data usage...they probably decided to implement a fee for unlimited 3G/4G data usage while keeping the unlimited plan available. When you think of Sprint, you immediately think "SIMPLY UNLIMITED EVERYTHING!"
What I say or think really doesn't matter...the $10 fee is mandatory so there is no use in trying to fight it or be sneaky about trying to get out of paying it.

I am glad I have this fee and no soft cap. I have used 1GB+ in the last 6 days. I get to laugh at ATTs new customers about their 2GB cap hahahaha.

engagedtosmile said:
I am glad I have this fee and no soft cap. I have used 1GB+ in the last 6 days. I get to laugh at ATTs new customers about their 2GB cap hahahaha.
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But why? According to AT&T, a majority of its customers wouldn't even come close to the 2GB cap and do not need unlimited data

I was always under the assumption for the charge that you can hook the evo up to any computer via usb and use it for internet access.

eck0728 said:
I was thinking more along the lines of the stupid amount of data we are going to be using on these phones with 4g. on 3g alone i've used 350mb in 3 1/2 days (i love it)...QUOTE]
That's exactly what Dan Hesse said the fee was for.
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Well, just an update...
The Sprint store said that my speaker was wacko for sure, and when I checked the other two phones we have tonight, both of their screens are raising up. What find strange is, mine got 10x the usage over the last week than the other two did and mine doesn't have the screen problem...yet.
Anyhow, I guess Sprint will be sending us 3 new phones.

i am rooted using wifi tether and i dont feel the least bit bad for it.. they are going to screw me for an extra 10 bucs a month im going to get my monies worth..... take that sprint.

I plan on returning my Evo tomorrow. I don't care how much data you use, they shouldn't offer a unlimited data plan if they don't like you using unlimited data. I have filed a complaint through the FCC and encourage everyone here to do so as well. This is deceptive advertising, and an unlawful fee. The name of the fee is "premium data plan" but other than the 6 people that live in a 4g network, it is a "right to own the Evo fee". You DON'T have to pay it, you SHOULDN'T be paying it. I am never passionate about anything ever, but this one really puts me over the edge. http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm.

Thank goodness I don't pay it... well not really. 10$ off from the IO conference.

bigough13 said:
I plan on returning my Evo tomorrow. I don't care how much data you use, they shouldn't offer a unlimited data plan if they don't like you using unlimited data. I have filed a complaint through the FCC and encourage everyone here to do so as well. This is deceptive advertising, and an unlawful fee. The name of the fee is "premium data plan" but other than the 6 people that live in a 4g network, it is a "right to own the Evo fee". You DON'T have to pay it, you SHOULDN'T be paying it. I am never passionate about anything ever, but this one really puts me over the edge. http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm.
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Why did you buy a 4g phone if you don't live in a 4g area?

rutter9 said:
Why did you buy a 4g phone if you don't live in a 4g area?
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I got the phone for the hardware, and android. I want to go to T-Mobile for the HD2, but it lacks the 8mp camera, no WiFi tether, and WinMo, yuck. I understand the fee in 4g areas, but they can't justify the fee for any other area. Call/email them, they sound like idiots trying to explain why we're being charged $10. "Rich data experience" (3g network?), "1ghz processor", "YouTube hd", "android operating system" are all the reasons I have gotten. I can provide email proof. The fee is a scam, not premium data.

Seen this site yet? Explainthefee.com

stumbled on this tonight. maybe you've seen this site already, but it's someone's attempt to get some clarification on the $10 premium data fee.
check it out.
http://explainthefee.com

What is to clarify? The$ 10 fee is for completely unlimited data. This has been beaten to death. If you don't want to pay the fee then don't get the phone.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

donatom3 said:
What is to clarify? The$ 10 fee is for completely unlimited data. This has been beaten to death. If you don't want to pay the fee then don't get the phone.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk
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i'm already paying for unlimited data.

Then quit Sprint and go to another carrier.
FYI, the new Samsung Galaxy phone will have this $10 fee as well. So it's just going to be Sprint's way of doing things.

healthpellets said:
i'm already paying for unlimited data.
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no your not... every other device that uses 4g has a data cap...the only device with NO CAP is the evo (look it up and get informed)... hence the 10$
but speaking generally now, some people are natural born complainers...
i vote for this thread to get deleted or locked!

healthpellets said:
i'm already paying for unlimited data.
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All the new plans have a 5gb cap. This removes that cap. None of the old unlimited plans are compatible with the Evo.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

healthpellets said:
stumbled on this tonight. maybe you've seen this site already, but it's someone's attempt to get some clarification on the $10 premium data fee.
check it out.
http://explainthefee.com
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Explainthefee is completely justified in "complaining" about being lied to. Sure sprint has the best overall plan prices and the evo is a great phone, but that doesn't justify adding additional charges and lying to your customers. I thought us "smart phone" users pride ourselves for not being like iphone users and believing everything steve jobs tells them...now we criticize one of our own for attempting to bring out the truth...you guys are pathetic. If you would visit explainthefee dot com, then you will see how bogus this additional fee is. If sprint is trying to make an extra buck, then id rather them come out and say that rather than lie to us and say that the fee is for "premium unlimited data", thats not included in our "non-premium unlimited data plans"
It's not the fee that pisses me off, its the principle...

donatom3 said:
All the new plans have a 5gb cap. This removes that cap. None of the old unlimited plans are compatible with the Evo.
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Sounds like marketing BS to me.
- With my Hero I had an Unlimited Simply Everything Plan and Sprint admitted that phones do not have the 5GB cap whereas the 4G laptop cards do.
- Then Sprint makes supposed new plans that have a cap.
- Evo is then suddenly not compatible with the old plans.
- Sprint adds a $10 fee to remove the cap from the new plans.
Personally I am not bothered by the $10 fee. What bothers me is that all of these explanations are completely transparent BS.
Sprint just needs to say that we are paying for the extra bandwidth and for them to create the 4G network around the country and stop making up stories.
Edit: And they better rename the Simply Evenythng Plan pretty quick. Obviously it isn't "Simply Everyting"

What do you guys want obviously they ran some numbers and realized more people will use a lot more bandwidth with the Evo than phones past and figured that unlimited data on the Evo is a lot more than unlimited data on something else.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

aldo37 said:
Then quit Sprint and go to another carrier.
FYI, the new Samsung Galaxy phone will have this $10 fee as well. So it's just going to be Sprint's way of doing things.
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i JUST got off the phone with a call center supervisor. want to know why you're paying the extra $120 a year?
you have a snapdragon processor
you have two cameras, one is 8MP
you can video chat
you can download apps
you have LIVE WALLPAPER
you have a TOP OF THE LINE PHONE
swear to God...those are the reason i was given for paying the extra $10 a month.
you don't think it's ridiculous to pay what amounts to a $10 a month leasing fee for using a "top of the line" phone?

It's obvious Sprint threw on $10 to capitalize on the hype of the phone. They are just trying to figure out how to justify it. It's obvious it doesn't make sense. Their own employees can't even explain it. No one sounds convincing.
It's like having a solution in search of a problem.
Great site BTW, the guy that writes the articles sounds very sharp. Possibly a lawyer? Good arguing skill.

healthpellets said:
i JUST got off the phone with a call center supervisor. want to know why you're paying the extra $120 a year?
you have a snapdragon processor
you have two cameras, one is 8MP
you can video chat
you can download apps
you have LIVE WALLPAPER
you have a TOP OF THE LINE PHONE
swear to God...those are the reason i was given for paying the extra $10 a month.
you don't think it's ridiculous to pay what amounts to a $10 a month leasing fee for using a "top of the line" phone?
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Click to collapse
yeah, i don't mind the $10/month if they came out and explained the reason for it; when you click on the $10 premium data, they explain it by saying the phone has a wicket fast processor, oversized display, and some others; so in essence, the $10 fee has nothing to do with data; it is just for the hardware, even though we pay $199 with 2 year contract for the hardware;
yeah, the $240 for 2 year is pretty much like we are leasing the phone and have to pay them monthly for the phone
Edit: i also talked to reps from Sprint Corporate office and they didn't even know how to explain the charge; the guy was saying stuff like the fast processor, large screen, 8mp camera, video conferencing, youtube, watching movies, kickstand and such; he was pretty much stating all the features of the phone, but couldn't explain the fee at all; it's not like if the $10 fee wasn't there, some of those features would be disabled

in case you want to see it, here's Dan discussing 4G, and how it's cheaper to "produce" a GB of 4G than a GB of 3G.
"because we're not charging customers more but we're giving customers more..."
http://anitasdesk.spruz.com/videos.htm?a=&act=view-video&id=D64850B4-4482-42EA-9E22-DC9E507987D9

Return the phone and stay with a hero or blackberry...you're still within your 30 days. They're very nice phones and you can save $120 a year. No one has twisted your arm on this one. I don't like the answer to why the fee is there..but its there.

healthpellets said:
stumbled on this tonight. maybe you've seen this site already, but it's someone's attempt to get some clarification on the $10 premium data fee.
check it out.
http://explainthefee.com
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OMG dude, how late are you to the partee??

LordLugard said:
OMG dude, how late are you to the partee??
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apparently very, very late.

Freelancerx said:
no your not... every other device that uses 4g has a data cap...the only device with NO CAP is the evo (look it up and get informed)... hence the 10$
but speaking generally now, some people are natural born complainers...
i vote for this thread to get deleted or locked!
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Are you ****ing serious? With an attitude like that you should own an iPhone. The bottom line is that Sprint saw a way to capitalize on the hype and make some extra cash. All these bull**** excuses they give are just that, bull****. I don't mind paying the extra $10.00 because I've figured out what it is for myself. I would have much more respect for Sprint if they just admitted what the charge is really for.
We live in a world of corporate double-speak where people are just either so ignorant or beaten down that they just take these guys at their word.

Good point we should go to ATT where 5gb of data costs $55, and unlimited text is $20. That's $5 less than an Evo with its $10 charge, of course you still need to add in the base voice plan and the fact that doesn't include roaming, or the fact it's only 3g on a network that has nowhere near the 3g coverage of Sprint.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

clocker6633 said:
Are you ****ing serious? With an attitude like that you should own an iPhone. The bottom line is that Sprint saw a way to capitalize on the hype and make some extra cash. All these bull**** excuses they give are just that, bull****. I don't mind paying the extra $10.00 because I've figured out what it is for myself. I would have much more respect for Sprint if they just admitted what the charge is really for.
We live in a world of corporate double-speak where people are just either so ignorant or beaten down that they just take these guys at their word.
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lol the reason why i DONT own an iphone is that i actually think about what i buy (not just listen to the ramblings of a deranged tyrant) (or their equally deranged fanbase) as well as being an informed customer i also look at what i purchase from various points, and whether or not a whole package justifies my purchasing of said device, the evo does, i happen to really like 4g and i use it a fair amount of time so to me the 10$ is very much justifiable. I think we live in a world where people think that standing on top of their high chair and banging their kettle drum is going to change corporate business practices, they need to make money and the fact that iphone is such a prolific device speaks volumes to the average intelligence of consumers. As far as im concerned the more people buy a 4g the faster they will improve 4g service as well as support our device better. So frankly i dont give a damn if they started calling the 4g "magical" just like steve jobs, or for that matter whatever other corporate lingo they need to justify covering expenses. i hope they keep selling more and more

They need to stop saying it is for Hardware. We all know that is a complete joke. I paid for my phone flat our for $449. Why is there a "rental" fee of $10 to use the hardware I already purchased? And for crying out loud why does the name of that fee include the word "data"?
Do they take us for Morons?
Sounds like the original explanation for this fee was for 4G, and then some intern pointed out that 4G doesn't exist everywhere. So apparently all of the Sprint PR department has quit and the Janitors are coming up with the explanations (no offence against Janitors).
I swear it is all a little too retarded for a corporation as big as Sprint.
The Hero was a top of the line phone that does 90% of what they say we are paying for. Why was there no fee for that?
*sigh*

Premium Data "4g tax" lawsuit starting

I've never been one to complain about our $10/mo "Premium Data" add on, but apparently there is a class action lawsuit starting regarding it. The below is the text of an email that was sent out regarding it (and the page at http://www.bursor.com/press/101203sprint4g.html)
If You Purchased a Sprint EVO 4G or EPIC 4G Cellphone, You May Be Interested in a Class Action Lawsuit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A class action lawsuit was filed alleging that Sprint customers that purchased the EVO 4G or EPIC 4G cellphones are being charged a $10 monthly “Premium Data Add-On” fee, despite the fact that these customers had already paid for unlimited data usage under their existing Sprint calling plans.
Law Offices of Scott A. Bursor, www.bursor.com, is investigating claims that these charges may be improper.
If you purchased a Sprint EVO 4G or EPIC 4G cellphone, we would like to hear from you so we can investigate whether you incurred this charge, how many customers have been affected, and whether there may be valid legal claims for a refund. Please contact us by responding to this email or by calling us directly at (646) 504-7781.
About Law Offices of Scott A. Bursor
Scott A. Bursor, has represented plaintiffs in class action lawsuits against Sprint and other wireless carriers since 2002. Many of these cases are discussed in detail at www.bursor.com.
Contact:
Scott A. Bursor
Email: [email protected]
www.bursor.com

IMO, The only thing this will do is raise our rates as Sprint has additional costs arguing with this guy.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

True it will increase costs. But I doubt my phone bill will be +$40/mo more after dealing with this guy which is what I'm paying for now due to 3 Evo's and 1 Epic. I totally support +$10/mo for 4g ... if it was optional. I have no need for 4g though and am highly annoyed at paying this tax. All I want is an Android phone with keyboard and the rest of the guys wanted big screens, we've given them hundreds of $'s this year for something we don't use or want.

Old news, but sprint data is cheaper than everyone else anyway.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

thx for the info. calling tomorrow

You are assuming the 10 dollars is for 4G. I've always thought it was for more or less having a next generational phone. Both the evo/epic encourage people to use data in ways none of the other devices do. Because of the specs, everything is faster, web browsing, multtasking, gaming - even if you are on 3G.
Sprint realized that giving an unlimited buffet to a blackberry user is much different than giving an unlimited buffet to someone using these phones.
It would be interesting if sprint ends up having to release some of this data to explain the fee. Those 1tb montly users may come in handy at that time.
Even with the fee, sprint has one of the cheapest and best data plans around.
Trahloc said:
True it will increase costs. But I doubt my phone bill will be +$40/mo more after dealing with this guy which is what I'm paying for now due to 3 Evo's and 1 Epic. I totally support +$10/mo for 4g ... if it was optional. I have no need for 4g though and am highly annoyed at paying this tax. All I want is an Android phone with keyboard and the rest of the guys wanted big screens, we've given them hundreds of $'s this year for something we don't use or want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Trahloc said:
True it will increase costs. But I doubt my phone bill will be +$40/mo more after dealing with this guy which is what I'm paying for now due to 3 Evo's and 1 Epic. I totally support +$10/mo for 4g ... if it was optional. I have no need for 4g though and am highly annoyed at paying this tax. All I want is an Android phone with keyboard and the rest of the guys wanted big screens, we've given them hundreds of $'s this year for something we don't use or want.
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Click to collapse
That boils down to how much data you use..if they go Tiered data like Verizon they could charge you $10 a month per GB per phone...so if you don't use much data thats fine..
In the end each person will get like 5$ settlement and the lawyer will get millions in his own pocket..If only they had a limitation on how much these lawyers can get in 1 law suite >.>
Cause these law suites are a lawyers "All you can eat"...not to mention they will end up fighting it for like 10 years..

Trahloc said:
True it will increase costs. But I doubt my phone bill will be +$40/mo more after dealing with this guy which is what I'm paying for now due to 3 Evo's and 1 Epic. I totally support +$10/mo for 4g ... if it was optional. I have no need for 4g though and am highly annoyed at paying this tax. All I want is an Android phone with keyboard and the rest of the guys wanted big screens, we've given them hundreds of $'s this year for something we don't use or want.
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Click to collapse
I live in New Orleans and I think the closest 4G city is 350 miles away (Houston). I too wanted an Android phone with a keyboard that wasn't abandoned by the manufacturer for support.
I think it's the principal of paying for something Sprint isn't giving me an opportunity to utilize that irritates me the most. However, I didn't want to drop Sprint (due to plan costs) and I really wanted the Epic. So I gave in.
diego1985 said:
Old news, but sprint data is cheaper than everyone else anyway.
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Click to collapse
That is the kicker, they are the cheapest--even with the 4G charge.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

They now have the samsung transform.
I still see justification for the fee even without the 4G. they are effectively lumping us into a high data tier. In reality, maybe they should just make it actually tiered.
nikon120 said:
I live in New Orleans and I think the closest 4G city is 350 miles away (Houston). I too wanted an Android phone with a keyboard that wasn't abandoned by the manufacturer for support.
I think it's the principal of paying for something Sprint isn't giving me an opportunity to utilize that irritates me the most. However, I didn't want to drop Sprint (due to plan costs) and I really wanted the Epic. So I gave in.
That is the kicker, they are the cheapest--even with the 4G charge.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Tiered would be annoying but livable. Make $40/mo something reasonable with X charge per GB and then past some other reasonable point make it unlimited. But a mandatory charge of $10 for a feature I neither want or use just pisses me off. At least metro pcs had the decency to say "that phone isn't allowed on that plan" when we tried snagging their android phone for the folks using that network. Sprint should do that same, you don't want folks using high end phones on the cheap plans don't allow them on, don't create a fake tax.

Trahloc said:
Tiered would be annoying but livable. Make $40/mo something reasonable with X charge per GB and then past some other reasonable point make it unlimited. But a mandatory charge of $10 for a feature I neither want or use just pisses me off. At least metro pcs had the decency to say "that phone isn't allowed on that plan" when we tried snagging their android phone for the folks using that network. Sprint should do that same, you don't want folks using high end phones on the cheap plans don't allow them on, don't create a fake tax.
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You shouldn't have bought the phone then. Every single person who bought this phone or the evo KNEW that there as a $10/month fee but still bought it because they just HAD to have the newest phones. If the fee is really that big of an issue then you wouldn't have bought the phone. When I bought the phone.I too the cost into consideration and decided that the$10 fee was justifiable and even with it I would still be paying less than ANY OTHER CARRIER for the same plan. People need to stop *****ing just to *****
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Sh0wNuF said:
You shouldn't have bought the phone then. Every single person who bought this phone or the evo KNEW that there as a $10/month fee but still bought it because they just HAD to have the newest phones. If the fee is really that big of an issue then you wouldn't have bought the phone. When I bought the phone.I too the cost into consideration and decided that the$10 fee was justifiable and even with it I would still be paying less than ANY OTHER CARRIER for the same plan. People need to stop *****ing just to *****
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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I agree with you right there. Before any ever bought the phone the fees were right there.
I say good luck with the lawsuit. 99% sure you will not get what you want out of it regardless if you win or lose.

Let me clarify one thing... I'm not assuming jack. I read the agreement and I know it's not just a 4g charge. My post was purely informative. Hence "4g tax" in quotations.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

This just end cost all of us more. Some of these lawyers need to be reigned in.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

iil said:
They now have the samsung transform.
I still see justification for the fee even without the 4G. they are effectively lumping us into a high data tier. In reality, maybe they should just make it actually tiered.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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There is no justification without 4G. The reason is you've purchased the phone.... You own it and it's capabilities. It's connection to the internet is a separate issue.
Would you pay more for wired internet service because you have a better graphics card and faster CPU in your home PC?
Tiered pricing?? I don't think Sprint wants that because people will then jump to Verizon or T-Mobile. Both of those carriers still offer unlimited data. TMO might slow down your data speed, if you go over 5GB, but it's still all you can eat.
Sprint's justification for the $10 premium fee is to make a few extra bucks and to cover the cost of what they pay to Clearwire. Clearwire charges $5 per WiMax capable phone Sprint has on it's network. So Sprint had a choice.. Pass the charge along or eat it as part of doing business. Personally, being that Sprint advertises unlimited data, and they're not subsidizing their 4G phones like the other carriers are doing with their top end phones (Have you seen what the other Galaxy S variants sell for on TMO, ATT, VzW, etc?), I think they should have just eaten the $5 (What Clearwires charges them) and also renegotiate their contract with Clearwire to only pay them the fee where Clearwire has service.
Here's another thing. Unlike ATT, Sprint has excess capacity on it's existing EVDO network, so it's not really costing Sprint anything to offer unlimited data on it's 3G network. It just doesn't make sense for Sprint to offer tiered data.

crabjoe said:
There is no justification without 4G. The reason is you've purchased the phone.... You own it and it's capabilities. It's connection to the internet is a separate issue.
Would you pay more for wired internet service because you have a better graphics card and faster CPU in your home PC?
Tiered pricing?? I don't think Sprint wants that because people will then jump to Verizon or T-Mobile. Both of those carriers still offer unlimited data. TMO might slow down your data speed, if you go over 5GB, but it's still all you can eat.
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Verizon plans to go tiered Data as well..as for T-mobile not sure yet..but it might end up all of them going Tiered data...such dumb lawsuit is only going to push them towards tiered data... mostly if Verizon and ATT go that route...
In the end the lawyer will be the only winner...these lawsuits last YEARS...
Sprint's justification for the $10 premium fee is to make a few extra bucks and to cover the cost of what they pay to Clearwire. Clearwire charges $5 per WiMax capable phone Sprint has on it's network. So Sprint had a choice.. Pass the charge along or eat it as part of doing business. Personally, being that Sprint advertises unlimited data, and they're not subsidizing their 4G phones like the other carriers are doing with their top end phones (Have you seen what the other Galaxy S variants sell for on TMO, ATT, VzW, etc?), I think they should have just eaten the $5 (What Clearwires charges them) and also renegotiate their contract with Clearwire to only pay them the fee where Clearwire has service.
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Actually if clearwire doesn't have service sprint doesn't pay them and takes money for themselves..thats what clearwire has been complaining about to sprint...
Here's another thing. Unlike ATT, Sprint has excess capacity on it's existing EVDO network, so it's not really costing Sprint anything to offer unlimited data on it's 3G network. It just doesn't make sense for Sprint to offer tiered data.
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The CEO of Sprint said for now he doesn't see a reason to go Tiered data but if the need arises they will..so take that as you will..
-------------------------
Overall though the TP2 went for 350$ on sprint...now phones are 200$-250$ top tiered..I say that about covers most of the $10 fee

but what you fail to understand is it is called "premium data":
this includes:
free sprint tv
sprint navigation
unlimited roaming
unlimited data (3g or 4g)
sprint is aware that by owning a 4g capable device (ie epic, evo, shift 4g) that this higher end devices have better capabilities and can actually use 3g faster and better than any other device.
they are also aware that through android (did you think about the fact that all 4g capable devices are android only) there are programs that will allow you to have connection to 3g/4g on your computer via wireless tether or wired tether for free. and instead of filtering out these units, placing caps, or throttling data after it hits a certian point...they give a 10$ fee. instead of going like the other wireless giants and tremendously increasing their rates or placing outrageous caps (seriously a 2 gig cap on the iphone plan att?). and it gives you the ability to connect to 4g whenever you go to a place that has 4g.
so is the charge unfair? i think not.
but then again, this is america, where we can ***** and moan about a hot cup of coffee and make a billion in a law suit.
i honestly believe if you dont like the premium data is "unfair" go to att or verison. seriously, ***** and moan about not getting froyo or something that really matters.

diego1985 said:
Old news, but sprint data is cheaper than everyone else anyway.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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+1
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=868877&highlight=lawsuit

Sprint played this dumb from the get go, it's their fault. Dan Hesse said there wouldn't be a 4G fee of any kind. Since they did indeed have to charge a 4G fee, they tried to play customers dumb by saying it's a premium data fee because it consumes more data. True, but then why don't phones like Transform, Hero, Pre and other smartphones get the fee, because I don't see them consuming any less data just because they don't have 4G.
But quite frankly, I think anyone who participates in this lawsuit is dumb and should be banned from signing contracts.

iil said:
You are assuming the 10 dollars is for 4G. I've always thought it was for more or less having a next generational phone. Both the evo/epic encourage people to use data in ways none of the other devices do. Because of the specs, everything is faster, web browsing, multtasking, gaming - even if you are on 3G.
Sprint realized that giving an unlimited buffet to a blackberry user is much different than giving an unlimited buffet to someone using these phones.
It would be interesting if sprint ends up having to release some of this data to explain the fee. Those 1tb montly users may come in handy at that time.
Even with the fee, sprint has one of the cheapest and best data plans around.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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I swear something is wrong with you,what specs?Should a gas station charge you more for regular gas if yo driving bmw instead of honda?Should Audi charge you $100 for "awesomness" of the car that you already paid in full for?
Phones get faster every two months,its only right that they get better specs.Yo dont see Vibrant/Fascinate/Captivate charge 10 dollars for their Cpu being able to process data faster?Epic is the same phone as Vibrant.
When I bought my Epic reps said that extra 10 was for a 4G service that was coming in october,but now when I ask them they say "its for Epics awesomoness and fast CPU",so which one is it sprint?
Charging me for fast CPU that I own,lol,sht is beyond ridiculous.
Remember one thing that Pentium 1,2,3,4(with same eathernet card" and beyond all download data at same speed speed and same thing applies for cell phoned.Do Time Warner charge you extra 10 dollars because you have the latest $10000 computer?No.Just to expain this to all you people that dont know no better or falling for sprints bs.