We're not sure what took them so long, but Sprint finally has joined its fellow major carriers in offering an unlimited plan for a flat rate -- the now industry standard $99 -- only this time it's for all the marbles. Instead of just the unlimited voice offered by
AT&T and
Verizon, or the voice + SMS that
T-Mobile has on offer, Sprint is undercutting the competition with a $99 plan that includes voice, data, text, Sprint TV, GPS and more. "Simply Everything" is available today to both CDMA and iDEN customers, and is open to existing and new subscribers. If you've got a family plan, it's $5 less for every line you add ($99 + $94 + $89 and so on). While those with the gift of gab but no desire to surf the mobile webs might be disappointed that the rumored
$60 unlimited voice plan didn't materialize, this certainly undercuts the competition by healthy margin for the smartphone crowd, which is exactly what we were hoping for out of Sprint.
posted Feb 28th 2008 9:12AM
Does it include tethering? Because I could see this plan being HUGE if it does.
Dumb question: What exactly is tethering? I've seen that term around on their websites but none of them explain what it is.
@Brandon
It's hooking your cell phone up to your computer and using it as a model using the cell phone network.
Can be done via:
Com
USB
Bluetooth
etc.
i cant even begin to grasp how they are supposed to tell tethering from all the other traffic, data is data...
@turn_self_off
You have to dial #777 to activate the phone when tethering. I am sure they have some way of tracking clients on their network.
I can't think why it wouldn't, that's such a bog-standard feature.
I have a Sprint data card, and I have to say, data is definitely their strong suite... I connect my Mac via the data card, then share the connection with my Wii and 360 (I can't get regular internet) and I have zero problems.
This is like an all access pass at a football game...
Agreed, if it includes tethering, I will totally drop Verizon in the year as I begin to travel more.
I've used it for 2 years and never paid for it, they can tell that you are teathering but they can tell the difference in traffic if you use a 3rd party software.
Even if it doesn't include tethering, this announcement is awesome. Not because I want to switch to Sprint, but because hopefully Verizon will follow.
Just keep the undercutting going. Lets hope we see unlimited plans down by 30%-40% within a year or less. It's just not at that sweet spot for most consumers right now.
Dear god I hope this turns into a cellular price war.
You and me both pal! I don't care about the crazy hardware costs so long as I don't have to sell blood to receive txt updates.
@ Grizz -> Centennial Wireless (centennialwireless.com) now has a nationwide plan, and it includes unlimited incoming text messages, maybe you should take a look at their services.
Price wars are the shit, because all the companies lose and we all win :)
Knock knock.....
.... Who's there?
Chapter 11.....
Chapter 11 who?
chapter 11 of how to run a company for dummies.
Chapter 11 (aka The Drunken Grim Reaper), and Miss Sprint is the last chick at the bar at 4am in the morning...
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Any word on if corporate discounts will be applied? I get 25% off on Sprint monthly charges. This would be ridiculously tempting for 74.99/month...
This plan does not include provisions for employee/corporate discounts or any other monthly recurring discounts other than those given to specific customers by sprint for service issues.
Then again no other discounts are supposed to be applied to SERO plans and I'm getting 25% off my $50 Sero Plan. It's basically an unlimited everything plan except it's 1250 anytime minutes but unlimited N&W starting at 7pm. But I get unlimited Text and data.
good deal - best so far from the cellular companies...glad its with the company i belong to! (am i the only one still with sprint? it sure feels like it sometimes...especially in nyc)
What about PAM tethering? I doubt it.
Wait...does this actually include Blackberry service?
"I have not seen anything on this yet ... from what I have heard (I am not a Sprint Employee so I don't know for sure)
It has been implied to me the following:
Simply unlimited does not include BES - but it does include BIS and all other e-mail platforms
NVP discounts do not apply (similar to aircards)"
http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1715618
I see Blackberry in the picture. Wonder if that is including the crazy $45ish/month required BB service.
YES! It does include the non-enterprise version of BlackBerry!
It also includes Nextel, which I have been a satisfied, and well traveled customer of, for years.
I don't see why AT&T + Verizon have to charge $99 for just voice. In my area, SunCom gets better signal than AT&T, and the unlimited voice plan is only 69.99. (Yes, I do realize that SunCom isn't exactly a nation-wide carrier.)
If this includes BB I might sign up. Otherwise I am already on SERO and get more then enough minutes as is.
Yes this will include BlackBerry (BIS). But the BES will be extra. Still no info about useing phone as modem. Being a sprint employee, I can say no discounts will be applied. That also means mine too.
Thank you Jesus. At least one company has the freakin' business sense to come out with plan that BEATS the competition. I can't stand big companies and their idea of "we'll match it." That doesn't make me want to switch if I end up paying the same price.
But thank you Sprint, I might have to switch now.
This is getting good! I'd much rather have fair plans - price and features and unlocked phones - even for CDMA networks
Of course I want unlimited data for a good price without the unlimited talk - If I had know about SERO before I got my phone - I might be the only one in my family on sprint. Though, I'd prefer something like the $20/mo that the iPhone has. That alone makes the cost of the phone better.
In any event we're making progress (knock on wood).
um, the Power Vision access plan (EV-DO) for phones on Sprint is 15 or 20/mo. Unlimited. You might want to take a look now.
What took them so long? They were FIRST!!! with their $119 UNLIMITED EVERYTHING PLAN! Goddamn Engadget, you are the biggest fanboys ever for Verizon, Sony, and Microsoft. Now it's an even better deal at $99.
You started to convince me until you mentioned Engadget as Microsoft fanboys...
What you meant to say was verizon, Sony, and Apple.
Nextel has unlimited for everything at $150 years before they where Sprint. I use to have them back in 2002/2003 with unlimited.
May be true. But now it's just 3 digits/month instead of 2. Psychological point to sprint.
I disagree with everyone. I like sprint, their EVDO actually is very very fast and has 2x the coverage over anyone else. I was out hunting in the middle of nowhere dodge city, ks, and I happened to look at my phone. EVDO indicator was lit. wootah
I agree. Sprint is the best in my area (Kansas City / Overland Park)
Thats because their headquarters is in your neighborhood...
DISCLAIMER: I live in Shawnee, KS.
I had Sprint in KC (north of the river) and it totally sucked. Couldn't hold a call at all and had to stand in the middle of the street to get signal. I switched to Cingular and got signal in my basement and all bars upstairs.
Been with Sprint just a short time, maybe 3 months. I have the SERO plan which is the balls. I live in OC, CA and reception is great! I was just in Big Bear up in the mountains and got phone great reception PLUS 3G... in the freaking mountains!
If Sprint is 3G I might have to switch from tmobile around october when my contract is finally coming to an end...
Sprint has EVDO Rev A, which is 3G and has speeds around 1.5Mbps, i usually get just over 1Mbps sustained. Sprint has always been on top of things with data... their unlimited plans are reasonable and always have been, unlike the competition.
The Simply Desperate plan for Sprint.
As a Sprint employee we had a nationwide meeting and webcast this morning. The 99.99 Simply Unlimited plan does inlude BIS(blackberry internet service). However the BES(blackberry enterprise server)is only $20 extra a month (orig.$39.99/mo.). And all employee discounts through a customers workplace still apply ex.25% discount on the $99.99 unlimited plan is on $74.99 after discount. Add BES for an extra $20, and you get $94.99 before taxes for unlimited everything with BES!
yes sprint is 3g
somebody been watching O' Brother Where Art Though???
If I can apply corporate discount, I will switch to this asap
well, you could always have 18 children
I agree this is epic, hopefully xohm (xohm.com) will be even more epic!
Where does it say this has unlimited voice? I haven't seen that listed.
What's with the Sprint bashers? I've been using Sprint for the past 9 years and during that time I switched once for a total of 2 days to one of the other carriers because I got a way better deal. After a dozen dropped calls in those 2 days, I returned to Sprint and they matched the deal I got with the other and then some.
During my time with Sprint, I've lived in the Springfield area of MA, the northwest corner of CT, Southern CA and now about an hour west of Detroit, MI and have had nothing but excellent service. They've been kind and courteous the few times I've had to speak to customer service and it's not like they pull up my account and see that I spend a ton of cash with them.
Back on topic, $99 a month unlimited everything is pretty hot if you're going to use it. My current plan is 3000 minutes, unlimited text, long distance, calling starting at 7pm for $40 a month. I'm missing data, but I don't use it. Really surprised they've not tried to get rid of me because I'm grandfathered into this plan. Then again, with prices coming down, they probably aren't taking a loss with me anyway.
In related news, Sprint Nextel posts a $29.5B 4Q loss.
Ooops forgot to add the link: http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/02/28/afx4708458.html
The "non-cash goodwill impairment charge" implies that the company paid too much when it made an acquisition...probably refering to the Nextel deal. It has something to do with accounting and such and not how much revenue Sprint actually generated.
"reported a fourth-quarter loss of $29.5 billion, or $10.36 a share, down from a year-ago profit of $261 million, or 9 cents a share.
The latest results include a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $29.7 billion."
Well, they actually made money, they just had a one time goodwill impairment charge of 25.7 billion. So they are actually operating in the black now. I'm not too worried about Sprint as a company as a whole. As another person with a SERO account (it's good to know people), this is a great plan, but doesn't compare to what I'm paying. Sure if I talked 5000 minutes/month, it would be worth it, but that just doesn't happen. My wife's plan is $18/month and mine is $45/month. We have unlimited everything and more than enough minutes for each of us respectively. The data tethering though is a big deal. If this includes that, then this is an incredible deal, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't.
It does include blackberry BIS service. To get BES it is $20 more per month.
"[...]domestic unlimited pricing plan that gives customers unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, Sprint TVSM, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect® and Group Connect® for $99.99 a month."
I just got off the phone with a rep who doesn't know anything about it, because I missed the line that says it doesn't become available until tomorrow. She was able to get me that much info, but nothing else would come up on her screen other than "Simply Everything available starting Feb 29."
Called Sprint the plan is open tomorrow and I'm on this like a fly on @@@@@@@
Here is some inside scoop boys...and yes I am on the inside.
* Voice
* Text
* Picture and Video Messaging
* Nextel Direct Connect and Group Connect
* Data services
o E-mail
o Web surfing
o GPS Navigation
o Exclusive Sprint content like NFL Mobile and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile
o Sprint Music
o Sprint TV
o Ability to download songs, games, ringers, call tones and third party apps (additional charges apply for downloads)
* The “Simply Everything” $99.99 plan as compared to Sprint Competitors:
o Verizon = unlimited voice and data plan is $139.99 ($99.99 unlimited voice + $39.99 for data and unlimited text)
o ATT = unlimited voice and data plan is $134.99 ($99.99 unlimited voice + $35 for data and unlimited text)
o T-Mobile = unlimited voice, text, picture messaging and IM is $99.99 (T-Mobile offers simple Web access for an additional $5.99 to their $99.99 plan; but it’s important to note that T-Mobile operates on a slower 2G network compared to Sprint’s high-speed 3G network.)
* For families, “Simply Everything” includes an incremental $5 discount per line up to 5 lines.
o Line 1 = $99.99; Line 2 = additional $94.99; Line 3 = additional $89.99; Line 4 = additional $84.99; Line 5 = additional $79.99 for a total of 5 lines for unlimited voice, data, text and NDC at $449.95
Q: Does unlimited voice include roaming?
A: Yes
Q: T-Mobile offers unlimited voice and messaging for $99.99. But does T-Mobile offer an unlimited data plan, comparable to Sprint, Verizon and ATT’s offerings?
A: T-Mobile does not have the same data capabilities as Sprint. While they do offer simple Web access for an additional $5.99 to their $99.99 plan, they do not include Navigation, Music, TV, or unique Sprint content. And remember, t-Mobile operates on a slower 2G network compared to Sprint’s high-speed 3G network.
Q: Will this plan be offered to the base or just new customers?
A: We are excited to offer these plans to our existing customers as well as new customers
Q: Is this offer for consumers only or does it extend into business?
A: “Simply Unlimited” is for any customer, up to five lines.
Q: Is this plan being offered to both IDEN and CDMA customers?
A: The “Simply Everything” plan is available for both the CDMA and iDEN platforms – again, simplicity! Another plan we are unveiling is designed for our core iDEN users who do not need as much data. This plan includes unlimited voice, unlimited data, and Nextel Direct Connect. This $89.99 plan is also available for CDMA and does not include the premium applications of Sprint Music, Sprint TV or GPS Navigation.
Q: Will this plan require a contract or a contract extension for current customers?
A: Existing customers can simply switch without extending their contracts on existing lines; New and existing customers will be asked to sign a two year agreement for new line activations;
Q: Will this price plan cover all devices?
A: Yes, except for Blackberry devices. Blackberries will continue to have a premium.
Can you give more information on the 89.99 plan and how that is different from the 99 plan?
Also, what do you mean by blackberries will continue to have a premium?
Thanks!
Can we still aplly the employer discounts on top of this plan. I currently have 20% which would bring the plan from 99.00 to around 80$.
Q: Will this price plan cover all devices?
A: Yes, except for Blackberry devices. Blackberries will continue to have a premium.
So BIS is not included or this plan simply isnt available for BBs?
For $89.99 you get unlimited voice and text no data.
I just called Sprint to sign up and the rep didn't know what I was talking about.. doesn't surprise me.
It's not on their website or in the account management screens either.
In three separate plan changes I've done in the past Sprint has royally screwed up and double charged me.
I hope it doesn't happen again this time, it probably will.
The plan doesn't start until tomorrow. (February 29th)
according to the Sprint Everything page, it includes Blackberry services. "E-mail includes use of ActiveSync, Direct Push, VersaMail, or BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS)."
And it does not include thethering: "Services are not available for use as a modem, in connection with server devices or host computer applications, other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions, or as substitute for frame relay connections."
This is from: http://www.sprintspecialoffers.com/everything/?id9=vanity:everything
$30 billion write down today. Maybe they should call this the "why the hell did we buy nextel?" plan
Hmm, I have a Sprint family plan for a total of $182/month. 1500min, N&W@6pm, 4 lines, Vision plus on 2 lines, coverage for loss/damage, PCS-PCS, No Roaming, 100 txt (rarely used), vmail (of course).
Only two of us use Internet. I use google-local (ver 1 cause it'll dump the P# so I can hit talk to dial), weather and a few other sites. Don't really text, would rather talk. We've never breached 1000min between all of us, so 1500 is for safety.
Even though I'm likely going to get a Mogul or Touch this weekend, I can't see paying $99/line just so I can have unlimited text and Internet. I think the majority of Sprint members will feel the same.
I'd much rather see a new plan favoring the everyday user, not one of these plans where the everyday user pays to offset the minority.
Kinda like all those people out there who keep upgrading their phone, two, three, five times a year. Yet, I've had the same phone for 3 years, been a stable, no issue sprint customer for 8 years and I get squat for loyalty.
I'm tired of people taking advantage of Cell companies and ruining it for the rest of us.
Do yourself a favor and DO NOT get the Mogul. That is the worst piece of junk I have ever owned and I know several people who have left Sprint because it is such junk. I went through several before I switched to the Motorola Q9c (not the original Motorola Q, which is also junk). Best phone I have ever owned. I have also read good things about the Touch, but I do not like the interface.
@Sam: That's weird. I have a Mogul and it's a great device once you set it up properly. I have had zero issues with mine and I can do a hell of a lot more that I could with my last phone (Treo 650). Touch is OK but poking at a screen is no way to type.
I went from various Treos to the Mogul and after 2 months with the Mogul I ebayed it. I didn't care for Windows Mobile at all nor having to go into the system area to completely close apps, nor the amount of calls it would make at random at the slightest jiggle of the phone. Don't get me wrong, the screen is awesome and ease of use not bad too, but I prefer the Treo. What's funny is that I replaced the Mogul with a Rumor and I love it. Got tired of carrying around a 'bulky' phone. Okay, so I can't play solitaire and it doesn't have a touch screen...whatever. Maybe the Mogul will work for you :)
@whynot: Install a free app (standard on later roms) called x-button 2.0 to close programs when you hit the 'X' in the top right corner. Either use the stock 'lock' app or install something flashy like the also-free Slide2Unlock2 which will lock your phone when you aren't using it so you don't accidentally dial anyone. It's kind of the same as the lock on the Treo.
The Mogul is lacking a few things out of the box but it's kind of like buying a new computer. You don't have every single app you want out of the box so you spend a few minutes installing programs and you are good to go. I keep all my common cabs on the storage card so if I ever hard reset I can just reinstall all my common apps without needing access to a computer.
if you need the voice i guess its good
but im sure its been mentioned i get unlimited everything from sprint for $30 a month (knock of $10 a month in dropped call credits)
so an extra $75-$80 per month just for unlimited talking really not for me
Im good with unlimited everything text, web, weekends,mobile to mobile, after 7 and 20 minutes a day talk time for $25-$30 bucks
sero is the best plan out
Sprint sucks ass. I used to be a customer about 10 years ago and never went back since. Horrible customer service, crappy phones.
did you guys just not see sprints unlimited plan they had for 119.99 or 129.99, cant remember which but it was called sprintspeed, came with unlimited called and text, maybe even everything else not sure i didnt look into it but we had a poster at work a month ago with it on there
What number do I call to get the unlimitted plan
If Sprint offered to pay my $200 Verizon early termination fee I'd switch in no time.
$99 a month for a phone!
I spend like $5 - $7 a month.
I know, I know....to each his own.
I bet you don't get unlimited text voice, data, and GPS on a NATIONWIDE carrier.
Wake me up when someone releases an Unlimited Family plan.
From the Sprint press release:
For families, Simply Everything includes an incremental $5 discount for each incremental line, up to five lines on the same bill. For example, two lines would amount to $194.98 ($99.99 + $94.99); a third line would cost an additional $89.99. This is in sharp contrast to the multi-line unlimited rates offered by some competitors. The Sprint plan offers significant savings the more lines a customer adds.
finally! oh and wheres my mogul gps and evdo rev A. rom?
May require up to a $36 activation fee/line, credit approval and deposit, $200 early termination fee/line applies. Simply Everything Plan: Offer ends 05/31/08. Premium content/downloads (games, ringers, songs, etc.) are an additional charge. Text to third parties to participate in promotions or other may result in additional charges. Sprint Music includes 150 radio channels. Sprint TV includes over 20 available channels. GPS Navigation includes Sprint Navigation or TeleNav GPS Navigator. GPS reliability varies by environment. International services are not included. E-mail includes use of ActiveSync, Direct Push, VersaMail, or BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS). Direct Connect and Group Connect (20 maximum participants) allows connection to other Nextel Direct Connect subscribers. Offer & service plan features not available in all markets/retail locations or for all phones/networks. Sprint may terminate service if a majority of minutes or a majority of kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming. Services are not available for use as a modem, in connection with server devices or host computer applications, other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions, or as substitute for frame relay connections. Other Terms: The Nationwide Sprint Network reaches over 262 million people. The Nextel National Network reaches over 274 million people. The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network reaches over 230 million people. Coverage not available everywhere. Not combinable with other discounts. Other restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com for details. ©2008 Sprint. ©2008 NFL Properties LLC. NASCAR® and the NASCAR logo are registered trademarks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc
Since the plan is not on the website I made the always painful call to their customer service number. I got one of their English second language reps, who could not hear the phone number. I had to say four, like one, two, three, ffffooouuuurrrr.... counting out each number, some of it was the phone connection was a little choppy. After all of that they told me the deal is not available till tomorrow, so call back then. Did anyone actually get this plan today?
says available 2-more-row. You english as a second language?
I hope makes some awesome deals like this when wimax comes. Wimax will change the celluar industry. Let's go Sprint get that Wimax moving
www.sprint.com/sero
use email savings@sprintemi.com
30.00 month = 500 min, unlimited data, unlimited text
50.00 month = 1250 min +txt +data
99.99 month = 2500 min +txt +data
must get 2yr contract, new lines only.
This is a deal :)
I was excited when I heard about this but unfortunately for me I don't need unlimited voice minutes (only use mine a few minutes a day during the week and nights/weekends are free) and already only pay $15 for unlimited data and free tethering via WMWifiRouter. I only pay $60 now with a few hundred texts thrown in. I'd love to see this trickle down to other flat plans like including text with all the rest of the data. When a text message is only a few kilobytes and I'm paying for unlimited data, it seems stupid to have to pay an extra $5 per month for 500 texts or whatever. I know it's a cash cow but it sucks.
I would love a $50 plan for unlimted data and text and a few hundred daytime minutes for those of us who use our devices for mobile data more than talking on the phone.
technically txting is not data. the message is sent through the cell network like a call when u dial, but instead of a phone number u send ur message. this is why they like it, no more equipment is needed to do texting. pic messaging and data are different.
Ah, that would explain why it switches from EV to 1x while a text is transmitting. Thanks for the clarification.
They needed this to keep a large majority of their customers.
They blow
Americans are dum and dummer if you think his plan is special. Lets see I pay 79.00 for 3 phones a month and now I can pay 287.00 a month for the same 3 phones PLUS increased taxes and fees. AT 60 a month this might be OK but forget it at 100.
This isn't a bad deal for me. I'm already paying $95/month for the Free Incoming 500 plan w/ Sprint Vision Pro added on. For a few dollars more I can get unlimited dialing. I just got off with Sprint, and customer service is doing an computer "upgrade", so they weren't able to process my request. I have to call back in an hour. Anyone else having problems?
how long is this offer going to last? because my contract with t-mobile is up in september