Database Users

Evo Gouging

So, according to this: http://www.androidcentral.com/sprint-evo-4g-pricing-availability-announced -- Sprint's going to charge an extra $10/month for premium data and $30/month for mobile hotspot. Is it worth it? An extra $40/month on top of whatever "Simply" plan you have.
In all fairness, the hotspot fee can probably be avoided once the phone is rooted. . . but still. XDA, what do you think?

Sorry for the double post, but I just saw this: http://www.androidcentral.com/how-do-you-feel-about-evo-4g-pricing
Apparently the premium data, is 4G and is optional. However, if you do happen to live in a 4G area AND you want mobile hotspot, paying $40 more per month seems too much. IMO. For scale, a personal Simply Everything plan is $70/month.

For mobile hotspot just use wifi tether (once we have root). I don't believe that Sprint has the right to tell me how or where I can use the data I purchased from them (furthermore I believe it's a violation of net neutrality, which isn't law yet, but it will be).
As for the $10 premium data - I'm fine with it. My Sprint plan will still cost half as much as what an iPhone user pays. I don't mind Sprint charging extra if only it means less people will sign up for it and keep the network load down.

greymalken said:
Sorry for the double post, but I just saw this: http://www.androidcentral.com/how-do-you-feel-about-evo-4g-pricing
Apparently the premium data, is 4G and is optional. However, if you do happen to live in a 4G area AND you want mobile hotspot, paying $40 more per month seems too much. IMO. For scale, a personal Simply Everything plan is $70/month.
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It's not optional. You WILL pay +$10 every month if you have an Evo activated.
http://jbtaylor.posterous.com/more-detail-on-the-sprint-evo-4g-10month-prem

keatre said:
It's not optional. You WILL pay +$10 every month if you have an Evo activated.
http://jbtaylor.posterous.com/more-detail-on-the-sprint-evo-4g-10month-prem
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Just called, it doesn't cost extra to use 4G

extra
It does cost extra, I currently have a 4g air card and pay the $10 extra fee (this covers 4g for every line) so when the phone come out I won't be paying any more than I am now. As for the $30 fee for the hotspot, I might as well ditch my air card for that, but we will see. There is always wifi teether.

mrono said:
Just called, it doesn't cost extra to use 4G
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That is incorrect. The reps are being flooded with calls at the moment, and no one really has a clue what's going on. Sprint has said it will cost extra, the head PR guy said it will cost extra, ALL blogs/tech sites are reporting it will cost extra. The evidence stacks up against a lonely rep.

This really pisses me off. I blame it on the god damned I-Phone sheep that didn't mind paying 100 a month to AT&T for something I've been getting included in my cell plans for years. Sprint is trying to pull an AT&T, and will probably get away with it.
No WONDER it's only 199- You're (and maybe me) going to be paying them an extra $240 for 4g access. Add in the mobile hotspot (Which I absolutely will not pay for), and that's an extra $960-
It's called back loading, and it's crap.
It's 1's and 0's.... OTA. Same 1's and 0's as I get now. I'm going to use probably the same amount of data as I do now- but have to pay more?
Device specific charge? WTF is up with that? It's a &()@*( phone.

jesus, calm down. it's called sprint wanting to make some money since they've been financially in the ****ter for ages now and viciously undercutting competitors and offering discounts left and right hasn't done much to improve their situation. now that they have a phone people want and the first 4g network, it makes sense that they'd use it to their advantage. besides, even at $80/mo base if you get the 27% discount (which everyone can if they bother to check slickdeals) it's still around $60/month, cheaper than anyone else by a bit

billobob said:
jesus, calm down. it's called sprint wanting to make some money since they've been financially in the ****ter for ages now and viciously undercutting competitors and offering discounts left and right hasn't done much to improve their situation. now that they have a phone people want and the first 4g network, it makes sense that they'd use it to their advantage. besides, even at $80/mo base if you get the 27% discount (which everyone can if they bother to check slickdeals) it's still around $60/month, cheaper than anyone else by a bit
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Whats slick deals?

jscurek said:
This really pisses me off. I blame it on the god damned I-Phone sheep that didn't mind paying 100 a month to AT&T for something I've been getting included in my cell plans for years. Sprint is trying to pull an AT&T, and will probably get away with it.
No WONDER it's only 199- You're (and maybe me) going to be paying them an extra $240 for 4g access. Add in the mobile hotspot (Which I absolutely will not pay for), and that's an extra $960-
It's called back loading, and it's crap.
It's 1's and 0's.... OTA. Same 1's and 0's as I get now. I'm going to use probably the same amount of data as I do now- but have to pay more?
Device specific charge? WTF is up with that? It's a &()@*( phone.
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What bothers me is that i'd rather have it be a fee for using 4G, not the phone in general, considering most of us don't even have access to 4G yet. So they are charging us to use something we can't!

mrono said:
What bothers me is that i'd rather have it be a fee for using 4G, not the phone in general, considering most of us don't even have access to 4G yet. So they are charging us to use something we can't!
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'nother way to look at it is paying $10 to remove the data cap..(btw, I dont agree with or like the fee, just sayin')

mrono said:
What bothers me is that i'd rather have it be a fee for using 4G, not the phone in general, considering most of us don't even have access to 4G yet. So they are charging us to use something we can't!
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+1 on this one. Sucks for us that don't have 4G available.

The Dreaded Premium Data-Add on

I'm looking to get the Evo but the $10 a month Premium data-add on is something that is holding me back. What I am trying to figure out is whether this is actually required by the phone or not. I was told back in the days that the Blackberry Internet Service was "required" for activation, yet I easily activated the phones without the internet plan, and I was even able to activate a few with the internet plan then go back and remove the internet plan and it still worked! I to this day don't believe Sprint when they tell me something won't work, so I'm trying to find a solution to this. Is there anyway the command forcing the phone to search to see if the subscriber has the data add on can be accessed? Would it be a file or a command? And wouldn't I just be able to do what I did with my Blackberry's in the past and just cancel the premium data add on after activation and keep the phone working like normal?
Another user explained to me that a user on these forums: Toast is working on some sort of solution to this?

I'm pretty sure no. As with the pre and hero I think the sprint system knows the imei for the phones and will require this. Looking in my account, I can see the premium data plan, and It does not let me remove it. If there's some special way, who knows, but I don't think I've heard of one yet.
I'm actually ok with the premium data plan. It means that less people ran for the phone (which means I got one easy) and it means less people jamming the network with one, which leads to higher speeds for me lol... Sprint's always been good to me otherwise. I can eat the 7.70 a month I have to add on.

You must have the plan or your phone disactivates.

It's worth it, free Telenav and sprint tv, plus 4g
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Speed alone is worth it. If that doesn't sell you I read somewhere a plan pricing comparison and Sprint with the +$10 plan is still cheaper than most services out there when it comes down to it.

chandlerw88 said:
It's worth it, free Telenav and sprint tv, plus 4g
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
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The free sprint TV is crap, but the navigation seems very good!
But...Navigon will be releasing an android nav app this year, so that will make it useless, lol
Basically if you don't get 4G or don't need it...it's just an extra crap fee.

ballerx43 said:
I was told back in the days that the Blackberry Internet Service was "required" for activation, yet I easily activated the phones without the internet plan, and I was even able to activate a few with the internet plan then go back and remove the internet plan and it still worked!
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This is pure blind luck. When the Blackberry add-on was still sold by Sprint, not having it on the account was possible...but lead to a great deal of issues. Blackberry devices can and will check the web often. If you dind't get hit with data charges. Some people did. Some people's phones couldn't even make phonecalls without the pack.
And just for reference, the price of that add-on was set by RIM, NOT by Sprint.
EVO-lution said:
You must have the plan or your phone disactivates.
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Half true. There's no way to remove the feature as every Rep knows that it has to be there.
Of course if you do manage to find a way to remove the feature you'll end up paying MORE, so that's probably not in you r best interest!
Personally, I rarely use 4g. It has major penetration issues (know I'm going to hear more on that phrase!) but considering I'm at 1.3GB since the 27th of last month on this thing, odds are good I'll reach and/or exceed the 5gb cap that typiccally accompanies this kind of gear. $10 to allow me to use the phone as much as I want, in whatever way I want?
Sold.

I don't see the big issue. I came from AT&T paying $250 a month. This is nothing to worry about.

you can get this phone on $70/month plan. google slickdeals, check their hotdeals foroums. it's there.

Neotelos_com said:
The free sprint TV is crap, but the navigation seems very good!
But...Navigon will be releasing an android nav app this year, so that will make it useless, lol
Basically if you don't get 4G or don't need it...it's just an extra crap fee.
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yeah, but you can get nav on the evo from google maps....
I think it's a ripoff to charge an extra $10 that most of the country can't access yet for some reason, people still pay it.

I originally was upset by the $10 surcharge, however, after using the Evo for a weekend I consume WAY more data on it than any other phone I've used. Its so hard not to. I almost prefer browsing on it compared to my laptop, YouTube is great, and Maps and Navigation on the big screen is a joy to use. Besides, Sprint's plans are still a hell of a lot better than the competition, even with the extra fee.

So is there a definitive answer whether the 3g is truly unlimited or is it only 4g? There seems to be conflicting answers everywhere.

bockjacob said:
So is there a definitive answer whether the 3g is truly unlimited or is it only 4g? There seems to be conflicting answers everywhere.
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http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=5973
case closed
From CNET News: "If the thought of having to pay for 4G without actually getting 4G makes you mad, it might be some slight consolation that there will be no data cap associated with the Premium Data add-on, regardless of whether you're using 4G or 3G, according to Phone Scoop."

What do you think of this?

http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/12/09/sprint-taken-to-court-over-10-monthly-premium-data-fee/

i think its stupid. Sprint is the only carrier that is giving us unlimited access through 4G.
If you look at the data plans being offered by the other carriers, we're getting such a good deal. Take a look at the proposed plans for Verizon's LTE network, you have a data allowance of only a few gigs for a lot more than we're paying Sprint.
I don't mind paying 10 bucks a month for a service that I use. I mean I use a lot of data every month, and I live in an area where I get 4G so 10 bucks a month for unlimited access is fine by me.

JSarella said:
i think its stupid. Sprint is the only carrier that is giving us unlimited access through 4G.
If you look at the data plans being offered by the other carriers, we're getting such a good deal. Take a look at the proposed plans for Verizon's LTE network, you have a data allowance of only a few gigs for a lot more than we're paying Sprint.
I don't mind paying 10 bucks a month for a service that I use. I mean I use a lot of data every month, and I live in an area where I get 4G so 10 bucks a month for unlimited access is fine by me.
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I agree with you. I use the 4g service as well, but ill be moving soon to an area that doest have it. I'm still going to pay the 10 dollar fee because I'll still be close to an area that has it.
Now I wasn't to happy at first about the 10 dollar fee because of how they explained it to me, but I'm fine now since we aren't going to a data tiered payment scale and I've been using it for a while.
Some people always look for something to complain about. I could probably give the people who are suing a free table and they would complain about the color.
Sent from my shoe, I mean....Epic shoe... I mean Samsung Epic!

I think it's a pretty stupid lawsuit. People should have already known what they are getting into when shopping for phones, 4g data maps are posted. It shows where 4g is and where it isn't. As for me I'm happy paying the extra 10 bucks a month for actual unlimited data through 4g data, and not being charged an extra $.05/mb over 5gigs. You will be surprised how much data is used playing cod online.
But I see this as people being on a 300min/month plan going over and then complaining about the charges, or being on a 600min/month plan and complaining about the minutes not being used. People just want to find ways to complain and make money off others, but who am I to say it's wrong to do so.
Just my 176kb's from my 4G Epic.

Im not paying that layer a damn thing by calling him. It will be nice to give me 15% off my phone bill though sprint lol.

I think the charge is justifiable.. only for those in 4g areas though. I'm paying 10 extra a month for something I don't have access to.. that's entirely unjust.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Here's my $.02. I live in an area that just recently has gotten 3g fairly consistant, 4g is doubtful anytime in the near future. I was "sold" this $10 plan by a rep who told me that even though I don't have 4g, having that plan gives me faster data. She also told me that the epic syncs more than my than my Moment because it has a more advanced operating system.. lol.. I argued with her point for a while, but ultimately knew I was forced into the plan. I just hate the lack of training and knowledge people at the stores have. Why not raise everyones data plan or phone plan a dollar.. think how much more money that would generate than 10 bucks from 4g phone owners.
Dex
Edit: I just realized that since 2007 this is my first post.. Talk about lurking...

My only complaint is that we should be given a choice to opt out of the 4g plan - many people don't live anywhere near a 4g tower.
And what about the folks who want the hardware capabilities of a galaxy s phone but don't need the 4g features? Does Sprint recommend that they switch carriers?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

is EVERY sprint customer this much of a PITA? there isn't one of us that doesn't have some type of corporate discount on our plans.. the plans are CHEAP compared to other carriers.. maybe 20-40 less/month for an individual plan and you only pay 50-100 bucks more up front for a phone.. and 4g is expensive to provide. it's not that they can just go to a tower and click the 4g switch and its there. i work at a sprint store and evvveerrry day get people asking why they have to pay the ten a month.. usually a minute before or after they tell me how 4g isn't everywhere. if you want it to work everywhere, it's gonna cost money. not fair for people that don't have 4g devices that just talk and text.. or worse.. the old folks on the 30 dollar basic plans to cover our share of data
think about it.. we're on a sight dedicated to getting the most out of our phones. we use more data than the active user.. deal with it or get NOT the coolest phone in the world
cepppptt.. a group rate for a family plan would be nice - like att/verizon does texting for 20 a month per or 30 for up to 5.

XtaC318 said:
I think the charge is justifiable.. only for those in 4g areas though. I'm paying 10 extra a month for something I don't have access to.. that's entirely unjust.
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Ditto.
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enispenvy said:
is EVERY sprint customer this much of a PITA? there isn't one of us that doesn't have some type of corporate discount on our plans..
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I do not have a corporate discount at all. Not even a small discount. And I live in a 4g black hole. There is a small area 120mi north of me that has coverage and I don't go there. Why do I have to pay full price on my plan plus $10 for something I can't use?
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kenvan19 said:
I do not have a corporate discount at all. Not even a small discount. And I live in a 4g black hole. There is a small area 120mi north of me that has coverage and I don't go there. Why do I have to pay full price on my plan plus $10 for something I can't use?
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So that they can build a few more towers in my area. Its ridiculous, I only get like 2 bars of 4g everywhere I go.

I think the lawsuit is a waste of taxpayer money. Those that are complaining about the fee shouldn't have a device that requires it. You signed a contract that clearly disclosed the fee and no matter what the fee is for or how fair you think it is you voluntarily chose to pay the fee by purchasing and activating a phone that requires it. No one made you do that.
I am offended that the money I am required to pay in taxes with out any choice in my part is being used so a bunch of idiots can try to get the government to change something they choose to pay. I bet many of these same people will be the first ones to say that they pay too much in taxes or the government doesn't spend their money wisely.
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Who is suing the government? No one. I didn't call the number but I still think its wrong that just because I wanted a good phone I have to pay an extra $10 a month because it can do something I have no access to.
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There is no question that it sucks, but you are basically "investing" in Sprint's/Clearwire's rollout of 4g. Eventually 4g will be "free", which means the cost will just be folded into all plans.

kenvan19 said:
Who is suing the government? No one. I didn't call the number but I still think its wrong that just because I wanted a good phone I have to pay an extra $10 a month because it can do something I have no access to.
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Agreed I live in Louisiana where there is no 4g coverage. I'm paying for nothing cause I don't use any more data than my Samsung Moment. And to the post three above me, you think the government spends your money wisely? You sir, are mentally challenged.
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kenvan19 said:
Who is suing the government? No one. I didn't call the number but I still think its wrong that just because I wanted a good phone I have to pay an extra $10 a month because it can do something I have no access to.
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I never said anyone is suing the government. I said that this is a waste of our taxpayer money. You do know that we the taxpayers pay for the courts where the case will be tried, don't you?
I also never said that the government spends money wisely. I said the same idiots that think sprint should be sued over this are probably the same ones that would cry that their taxes are too high and that government doesn't spend money wisely.
Why do people think that they should use the tax payer supported court system to go after sprint when they could have easily just not bought a phone that required the fee? This attitude that because you think something that you agreed to is unfair, that we the taxpayers should fund the judge, jury, court room, and other infrastructure is what is truly unfair. Because see, the rest of us taxpayers don't have any choice but to fund the court that will hear this stupid lawsuit while you had a choice to not pay the fee but getting a diffetent phone. Those that participate in this lawsuit are the ones that are being unfair to the rest of us taxpayers.
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Sprint says it's for a more robust experience due to things like the super fast 1ghz processor and what not. What does the processor speed have to do with 4G and if the $10 fee isn't for 4G, as Sprint says, why is it only charged on phones that have 4G capabilities?
Personally, I think they should make 4G access an opt-in thing like they do with the Hotspot feature. Especially since Wimax is pretty much non existent for most people. And even where it is available, there's to many holes. Holes as in it doesn't work (To me it doesn't work if the access is spotty or the speeds aren't any better then their 3G service) once you walk into most builds/homes and who wants to stand outside to just use 4G?
Based on Sprints reason on why they charge a $10 fee on their 4G phones, why is everyone paying a monthly fee when they've already paid for the phone upfront? It's not like the Epic or Evo are priced like the Optimus.
BTW, from that I read, I think Sprint pays $4.50 to Clearwire for every 4G capable phone but is currently trying to renegotiating their contract with Clearwire to only pay the fee on phones sold in 4G areas. It seems to me Sprint feels is unfair to pay for something that's not available for all their phones, but wants it's customers to do what they don't want to do themselves.

raylusk said:
I never said anyone is suing the government. I said that this is a waste of our taxpayer money. You do know that we the taxpayers pay for the courts where the case will be tried, don't you?
I also never said that the government spends money wisely. I said the same idiots that think sprint should be sued over this are probably the same ones that would cry that their taxes are too high and that government doesn't spend money wisely.
Why do people think that they should use the tax payer supported court system to go after sprint when they could have easily just not bought a phone that required the fee? This attitude that because you think something that you agreed to is unfair, that we the taxpayers should fund the judge, jury, court room, and other infrastructure is what is truly unfair. Because see, the rest of us taxpayers don't have any choice but to fund the court that will hear this stupid lawsuit while you had a choice to not pay the fee but getting a diffetent phone. Those that participate in this lawsuit are the ones that are being unfair to the rest of us taxpayers.
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So I should be penalized for wanting to have a good, powerful phone. I see. Clearly, I chose this phone because it was a good phone not because it had 4g. I argued for an hour with the sprint rep and told him that I did NOT agree with the charge nor did I accept his bull**** about it coming soon to my area. At every step of the way, I have been clear with Sprint that I wanted a powerful phone but do not care about 4g. How can I contest the charge? Cancel my service and pay a cancellation fee? How is it not a violation of my rights as a consumer to force me to pay a fee for wanting a good phone and have my only other option be a hefty cancellation fee? As a fellow tax-payer I am offended by your unjustified self-righteousness.
Yes, the government pays for the courts, I'm quite aware of that. But they pay for every case of someone claiming "whiplash" in a car accident when the reality is a person just trying to screw the insurance company. They pay for every case where someone who is breaking into a home gets injured and sues the homeowner. I deserve my justice much more than those people and the hundreds of millions of others who abuse the judiciary system. And you don't deserve to ***** about it. =)

It's pretty simple folks, you want a "premium" phone then you pay the "premium fee" nobody forced you to buy the phone but if you did then you agree to pay any associated fees. End of discussion
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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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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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That is the kicker, they are the cheapest--even with the 4G charge.
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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.
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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 *****
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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 *****
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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.
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This just end cost all of us more. Some of these lawyers need to be reigned in.
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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.
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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 $5 (What Clearwires charges them) and also renegotiate their contract with Clearwire to only pay them the fee where Clearwire has service.
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Actually if clearwire doesn't have service sprint doesn't pay them and takes money for themselves..thats what clearwire has been complaining about to sprint...
Here's another thing. Unlike ATT, Sprint has excess capacity on it's existing EVDO network, so it's not really costing Sprint anything to offer unlimited data on it's 3G network. It just doesn't make sense for Sprint to offer tiered data.
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The CEO of Sprint said for now he doesn't see a reason to go Tiered data but if the need arises they will..so take that as you will..
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Overall though the TP2 went for 350$ 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.
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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.
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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.

Here we go haha.. IF you're going to leave Sprint, where are you going?

Being that Verizon and AT&T are doing crazy ish too now ( via engadget ) Where are you guys going to go? Which company, plan etc? And is there any 100% concrete information on what is going to happen to us? Theres a bizillion threads on what "is" going to happen, but we dont know if any of that is ture.
Here is what the low down is now for Verizon and AT&T now... ( http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/atandt-tweaking-messaging-plans-killing-some-upgrade-discounts-r/ )

mroneeyedboh said:
Being that Verizon and AT&T are doing crazy ish too now ( via engadget ) Where are you guys going to go? Which company, plan etc? And is there any 100% concrete information on what is going to happen to us? Theres a bizillion threads on what "is" going to happen, but we dont know if any of that is ture.
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I will be starting my own cell phone company. Towers are in the process of being built as we speak!
Maybe you should include in the OP what all the srazy chit we have to look forward to in the future.

Ill use one of those big funky satellite phones that osama bin ladin uses.

jhoffy22 said:
I will be starting my own cell phone company. Towers are in the process of being built as we speak!
Maybe you should include in the OP what all the srazy chit we have to look forward to in the future.
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In the OP I linked the verizon/at&t ish
phatmanxxl said:
Ill use one of those big funky satellite phones that osama bin ladin uses.
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lolwut haha

mroneeyedboh said:
Being that Verizon and AT&T are doing crazy ish too now ( via engadget ) Where are you guys going to go? Which company, plan etc? And is there any 100% concrete information on what is going to happen to us? Theres a bizillion threads on what "is" going to happen, but we dont know if any of that is ture.
Here is what the low down is now for Verizon and AT&T now... ( http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/atandt-tweaking-messaging-plans-killing-some-upgrade-discounts-r/ )
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Hm well what are my options:
Big Red: The iPhone (metaphor for popular, expensive and useless) of the mobile service provider industry is actually getting an iPhone (the popular, expensive and useless phone from wence the metaphor came). They're still big, popular, expensive and useless. Can't go there, next...
AT&T: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, omg *wipes tears from eyes*, haha yea right...next.
T-Mobile: Is the down syndrome-stricken child of the service provider world. They have okay phones, okay service but I haven't talked to a customer service rep yet who wasn't on their 2nd day of English-As-A-Second-Language classes yet and they have no resiliancy. I told one of them that they aren't American so they have no soul. She broke down and cried on the phone. For real, I was just angry, angry at their terrible, scripted, idiot customer service.
If I had to go anywhere it'd be back to T-Mobile, at least they have an unlimited text AND unlimited data plan that doesn't throttle you after 1 or 2GB of usage. I just need to make sure that I NEVER need customer service again. Prepare for your call to be routed to India.

The only way we are going to bring the ball back into the consumers court is we all stop signing contracts.

AT&T is going to be changing their texting plans effective Jan. 23rd. They are getting rid of $5 200 txt plan and $15 1500 txt plan. The only plans they are going to have is $10 1000 txt and $20 unlimited. It seems like all carriers are making changes at the same time.
I got rid of AT&T and won't be going back. I'll stick with Sprint.
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nebenezer said:
The only way we are going to bring the ball back into the consumers court is we all stop signing contracts.
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Then we will be paying full price for our phones..... Evo is an expensive phone.

I really want to drop the carriers and ise VOIP or something else. I'm on wifi nearly everywhere I go. Do I really give a crap if I don't get a text while driving? Not really. We'll see, though. If I can make it work, I'm done letting these bastards rob me. I usually pay full price for my phones anyway.

Oo yeah I forgot to mention that AT&T is going to discontinue activation of customer owned equipment at no contract. You won't be able to activate a phone that you own with no contract. They are basically going to force people to be on contracts.
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I'm probably jumping to Verizon so my wife can get an Iphone later in the year. We have three lines and one doesn't use data so that will make things actually cheaper for us because my wife has a discount through Verizon (I currently have one on SPrint)
The other thing that interests me is the Unlimited Data only plans through Tmobile. They are only 50 dollars a month and I'm wondering how good calls through Google Voice would be...if the quality isn't that bad I could just use that (since they now let you port your number to them)

Tuffgong4 said:
I'm probably jumping to Verizon so my wife can get an Iphone later in the year. We have three lines and one doesn't use data so that will make things actually cheaper for us because my wife has a discount through Verizon (I currently have one on SPrint)
The other thing that interests me is the Unlimited Data only plans through Tmobile. They are only 50 dollars a month and I'm wondering how good calls through Google Voice would be...if the quality isn't that bad I could just use that (since they now let you port your number to them)
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Oh **** yeah very good idea.. using tmobiles VOIP... Interesting.
I luckily get a 25 or 27% discount thru sprint. I cannot remember which one it is. Gotta love job discounts.

I have been with Sprint for 10 years. I am ready to purchase a 4G device. It is between the Evo4g on Sprint & the myPhone 4G with T-Mobile. Based on the device, and reception/coverage area will dictate which carrier I go to. The price point is basically the same. About $10 per month more with Sprint.
T-Mobile is an unknown regarding coverage and Sprint is a known.
I had 2 lines on a Free & Clear, but to switch to a 4g, I would lose that plan, and I would have to drop the 2nd line as no plan available by Sprint for 2 lines is cost effective for me. Neither is one available from T-mobile.
After 10 years, I really have no allegiance to Sprint as Allegiance with any Company these days is non existent, for me anyway, and from them to me, and others for that fact.
BUT I have read that T-Mobile may be locking their devices regarding tethering, as they are charging $!4.99/mo as of now, and may lock the devices for free tethering. I don't tether often, but I would like the option to do so.
Sprint charges the $10 surcharge for the privilege.

Doesnt really matter to me, only thing im waiting to see is if Verizon is going to put a data cap on their LTE for their smartphones. If they dont im ghost.

Why brah? Sprint doesnt... Or are you chasing the new phones merely.

I'd assume this is because LTE is faster and from what I gather has a more promising future.. probably coverage expansion will be better, etc.
Wouldn't count on avoiding a cap though, and F if i'm going to pay what vzw wants for "unlimited" as compared to sprint.
Where I work and spend a huge chunk of my life these days, I get full 4G and use it to tether all my computers, more than fast enough for what I need, and I think staying with this contract will be smart over time. As long as all these companies continue their greedy practices, the value of the plan I'm on will continue to get better IMO.
When I'm month to month in a year and a half paying what I'm paying now for unlimited, I bet I won't want to switch. I'm not that concerned about getting a new phone.. I tend to hold onto my phones for a pretty long time anyway. With the dev support the EVO has (and considering it does everything I want & more anyway) I think I can get a lot of mileage out of my current situation. If I really decide I NEED a new phone somewhere down the line, I'll buy it outright and stick with what will be a cheap plan at that point
brownhornet said:
Doesnt really matter to me, only thing im waiting to see is if Verizon is going to put a data cap on their LTE for their smartphones. If they dont im ghost.
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Tuffgong4 said:
I'm probably jumping to Verizon so my wife can get an Iphone later in the year. We have three lines and one doesn't use data so that will make things actually cheaper for us because my wife has a discount through Verizon (I currently have one on SPrint)
The other thing that interests me is the Unlimited Data only plans through Tmobile. They are only 50 dollars a month and I'm wondering how good calls through Google Voice would be...if the quality isn't that bad I could just use that (since they now let you port your number to them)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Voice doesn't do VOIP on phones. Right now all it does is re routes your calls through to your GV number. There are solutions that use third party VOIP services but they aren't super reliable.
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GV only supports CONUS

Guys i hate to say but I think these companies have us by the balls... I would think there has to be some kind of regulation implemented.

mroneeyedboh said:
Guys i hate to say but I think these companies have us by the balls... I would think there has to be some kind of regulation implemented.
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It's just a matter of more people using the network costs go up
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