Project DarK

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: abaez
What carrier offers data only? I've gone into both ATT and TMO stores and every single time they say I need a voice plan (this is with an unbranded, unlocked e71). ATT has prepaid data, but it's very expensive.

I had a Sprint plan for work earlier in the year. It was a Blackberry data-only plan for $49.99

 

[Pliablemoose]

Damn it, it's more than rate plans and no one is leaking what it is....

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Damn it, it's more than rate plans and no one is leaking what it is....

I would imagine the non-disclosures for this project are pretty stringent; however, my bet is boygenious reports it first. Just a guess.

 

[Pliablemoose]

It's supposedly something no other US carrier is doing... The only thing I can think of is VOIP... Like 3 does in Europe.

What else do non us carriers do that's different?

 

[erwos]

The most plausible rumor I've seen is that they're going to have separate financing on phones - that is to say, the plans do not include the subsidies in them, so they'll be "cheaper" than comparable AT&T plans (not including the subsidies, naturally). It will be good for attracting post-paid AT&T and T-Mobile customers to some extent, but, again, I kinda question how well this will work in the US market as it is.

http://www.boygeniusreport.com...limited-plans-flexpay/

I mean, I switched to AT&T this weekend from Sprint. Two years down the road, if T-Mobile can get it together, I'd certainly be happy to investigate them once I'm done with AT&T.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
It's supposedly something no other US carrier is doing... The only thing I can think of is VOIP... Like 3 does in Europe.

What else do non us carriers do that's different?

I don't understand why T-Mobile isn't heavily marketing and advancing their UMA technology. If you get a T-Mobile UMA-enabled phone, you have service anytime you are able to get on a Wifi network. And for a fixed $10 per month you can have unlimited UMA calling: http://www.theonlyphoneyouneed.com/

I've used UMA in relatively remote locations and inside buildings where T-Mo doesn't have great cell tower coverage. I use it at home all the time and the call quality is excellent.

You can use it anywhere - worldwide - where you can hop onto a network, and you're essentially making a local call. It's a huge selling point IMO, and T-Mobile has really done a poor job of marketing it.

Unfortunately, no T-Mo Android - or any 3G capable phone, in fact - has UMA at this point. I don't know if it's a technical issue, or if T-Mo is ignoring it intentionally. I'll probably keep trudging along with my current BlackBerry until they have a 3G + UMA device, which I am hoping will be fairly soon.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
It's supposedly something no other US carrier is doing... The only thing I can think of is VOIP... Like 3 does in Europe.

What else do non us carriers do that's different?

Offer unsubsidized handsets with no contract?

 

[Cuda1447]

Technical issue with 3g and UMA, Bigsmooth. Although, I hear that issue has been fixed. I believe the new Blackberry 9700 has UMA and I know its 3g.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
It's supposedly something no other US carrier is doing... The only thing I can think of is VOIP... Like 3 does in Europe.

What else do non us carriers do that's different?

I don't understand why T-Mobile isn't heavily marketing and advancing their UMA technology. If you get a T-Mobile UMA-enabled phone, you have service anytime you are able to get on a Wifi network. And for a fixed $10 per month you can have unlimited UMA calling: http://www.theonlyphoneyouneed.com/

I've used UMA in relatively remote locations and inside buildings where T-Mo doesn't have great cell tower coverage. I use it at home all the time and the call quality is excellent.

You can use it anywhere - worldwide - where you can hop onto a network, and you're essentially making a local call. It's a huge selling point IMO, and T-Mobile has really done a poor job of marketing it.

Unfortunately, no T-Mo Android - or any 3G capable phone, in fact - has UMA at this point. I don't know if it's a technical issue, or if T-Mo is ignoring it intentionally. I'll probably keep trudging along with my current BlackBerry until they have a 3G + UMA device, which I am hoping will be fairly soon.

Thats interesting. I didnt know about this....gonna check it out. Sucks that no 3G phones are compatible though

 

[erwos]

The problem with UMA is that in the domestic market, it's worse than a femtocell, which all of T-Mobile's competition is using.

It is marginally better for foreign travel, but you're still tethered to a WiFi point... and most European countries have excellent GSM coverage anyways.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: erwos
The problem with UMA is that in the domestic market, it's worse than a femtocell, which all of T-Mobile's competition is using.

It is marginally better for foreign travel, but you're still tethered to a WiFi point... and most European countries have excellent GSM coverage anyways.

True; for a regular international business traveler it's certainly not ideal because your movement is literally limited while you're on the phone if you want to stick to UMA.

For the vacationer, though, it's really nice to be able to just hop on an open network at a cafe or something and check voicemail/make a few quick calls to check on things at home, essentially for free. I used it on a cruise earlier this year - each time we hit a port, I was able to easily find Wifi nearby and make a few calls. I was able to talk to my family without having to pay T-Mo's international rates (or their RIDICULOUS cruise ship rates).

Domestically I'm not sure how it's necessarily "worse" than a femtocell, particularly since the UMA functionality is totally free if you have a capable device. There's no extra equipment to buy and no add-on to your plan (you don't have to do the unlimited Hotspot@Home thing if you don't want to). I don't have any problems with UMA<->GSM handoffs, either (although I know some people have reported recurring dropped calls with certain devices).

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Domestically I'm not sure how it's necessarily "worse" than a femtocell, particularly since the UMA functionality is totally free if you have a capable device. There's no extra equipment to buy and no add-on to your plan (you don't have to do the unlimited Hotspot@Home thing if you don't want to). I don't have any problems with UMA<->GSM handoffs, either (although I know some people have reported recurring dropped calls with certain devices).

I see it as worse mostly in that it works with fewer phones, due to the WiFi requirement - you've got to configure per network, that sort of thing. Cost-wise, I think AT&T's solution is free, and Sprint's solution "can be" if you ask them politely.

Now, if T-Mobile did BOTH a femtocell and UMA, yes, I'd see that as a superior solution.

 

[troytime]

went to t-mo last night to make sure i was still on the list for two moto Cliqs.
the girl working mentioned some new change happening in november that will be really really awesome. I asked if it was 'project dark' and she nearly shit herself.
She got quiet and replied that she can't talk about it or she'll get fired.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Technical issue with 3g and UMA, Bigsmooth. Although, I hear that issue has been fixed. I believe the new Blackberry 9700 has UMA and I know its 3g.

The 9700 (Bold) on T-Mobile has officially been confirmed as having UMA (and it's obviously 3G). Cool!

 

[BigSmooth]

Well, Tmonews and Boy Genius Report both have leaked pricing. It's confusing, and not that great. For family plans, at least, the pricing is worse than Sprint's, particularly Sprint's EPRP (new SERO) programs, even if you don't subsidize your phone! If this is truly Project Dark, it's a total bust IMO and would actually cause me to leave T-Mobile.

Combined info from the two sites:

Individual Plan ? First price is without contract or subsidized phone, second is with contract and subsidized phone.
* 500 Minutes ? $30/40
* 500 + Unlimited Text ? $40/50
* 500 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web ? $60/80
* 1000 Minutes ? $40/50
* 1000 + Unlimited Text ? $50/60
* 1000 +Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web ? $70/90
* Unlimited Talk ? $50/60
* Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text ? $60/70
* Unlimited Talk +Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web ? $80/100

Family Plan
* 750 Minutes ? $50/60
* 750 + Unlimited Text ? $70/80
* 750 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web ? $110/140
* 1500 Minutes ? $60/80
* 1500 + Unlimited Text ? $80/100
* 1500 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web ? $120/160
* Unlimited Minutes ? $80/100
* Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text ? $100/120
* Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web ? $140/180

 

[Pliablemoose]

LOL, I saw that, I have a better plan with no contract at the moment, and I qualify for subsidized phones under it.

What a joke, there are a handful of regional carriers that beat the hell out of those prices...

 

[erwos]

That's totally not impressive, yeah. Hell, even Sprint is cheaper.

However, this entire scenario doesn't make sense... why send out envelopes meant to be opened in a week if secrecy is paramount? Overnight the damn things and be done with it! I am almost suspicious that these aren't the true prices, and that they purposefully sent out packets with the correct plans but wrong pricing to throw off the rumor mill.

I doubt it, though...

 

[blackangst1]

ugh. This wont help them at all.

 

[Pliablemoose]

This will push a lot of customers to go sans contract, whenever a competitor announces a special deal or rate they'll lose customers, especially at those rates.

 

[shortylickens]

I just saw the leaked prices.
NOT impressed. This was supposed to be a game changer. Looks like I'll only be saving 10 bucks a month over Verizon and I wont have Verizons coverage or service quality anymore.
Of course, I wont be locked into the Stalin regime equal to a cell phone company, so thats one benefit.
They still need to come up with a more reasonable plan for anti-social nerds like me. Something with 100 minutes or less, and unlimited data, all for a reasonable price. I would buy the phone outright and ignore the 2 year contract.

 

[aceO07]

New details: http://gizmodo.com/5389406/t+m...ng-plans-go-live-today

NOT impressed either. I don't want unlimited voice or unlimited text. I want my 300 minutes of voice AND unlimited data.

Trying to 'give' me unlimited everything and make me 'give' MORE money isn't what I want. (Big deal if it's 'cheaper' than others, I DON'T need unlimited voice/text in the first place.)