Rumor: SERO to get Android/WebOS this fall

[Steve]

http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206795

This is all I've got:

I was on the phone with a rep asking about plans and sort of complaining about my inability to get an Android phone with SERO, and the rep said something like, "I've heard rumors that that restriction is going to be removed sometime soon."

I asked if he had heard anything concrete and he said no, it could be just a rumor, but that's what he'd heard.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

The thread progresses with a few more people making calls and asking. Apparently an announcement will be made Sept. 1st and the change takes effect Oct. 1st.

The idea being that for an extra $10 you can add a previously prohibited smartphone to your SERO plan. For an extra $10 atop that it can be a 4G phone.

I can't imagine Sprint undercutting their EPRP user base like that - I suspect they'd either have to reduce everyone else's plans at least somewhat, or more likely this change comes with a catch (perhaps a cap on data?).

8/7 UPDATE: Sprint VP Russ S. McGuire seems to confirm it'll happen:

http://mobileunderground.info/entry.php?b=31

 

[SAWYER]

I'm calling BS

 

[JS80]

lol bullshat
but if true fuck me i had 3 SERO accounts lulz

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I have heard rumors of this as well, but is it really worth it?

I have the 1200 minute SERO for $50/month because I was routinely going over 500 minutes on the $30/month plan.

If this is true, I can get an Android 4G phone for $50 + $10 + $10 = $70/month

Right NOW, I can get a 450 minute Any Mobile, Any Time with Everything Data and Text for $70/month. That 450 minutes is only for landlines and 800 numbers, so unlimited Mobile to Mobile.

Uhhh.... so there's no reason to wait when you have the $50/month SERO plan.

 

[boomhower]

I have been following that thread. If they do it they are going to face a nasty backlash. It's not just SERO users, it's also legacy users that had sweet plans they had developed over the years. If they go through with this I will likely tell them to pound sand after this contract. With the discounts I have on my ED plan my bill wouldn't be a ton different but it's just the point they forced a plan change based on phone and now if they back track on that they are going to piss a lot of people off.

 

[Slick5150]

I strongly doubt this is true. They've been trying to move people off SERO plans for a couple years now, there's no reason to suddenly give people an incentive to go back on one.

 

[HumblePie]

I strongly doubt this is true. They've been trying to move people off SERO plans for a couple years now, there's no reason to suddenly give people an incentive to go back on one.

naw wrong. I'm on 500 SERO and probably will be until the day I die. I have no intention of moving over and the fact they are arbitrarily denying me phone access only annoys the crap out of me. I have no love for Sprint and the only reason I stay with them was for SERO. If for some reason one of the other companies came out with THE PHONE, ie a phone I actually want and pretty much must have, I would just just ship complete from Sprint never to return. Probably trade off my SERO account to someone less fortunate in my family.

By opening up the possibility of getting new phones again to people like me, they are less likely to see me finally switch carriers. Also, there are more people like me with Sprint plans than those that did switch. The vast majority of Sprint customers are still using legacy plans.

 

[Slick5150]

naw wrong. I'm on 500 SERO and probably will be until the day I die. I have no intention of moving over and the fact they are arbitrarily denying me phone access only annoys the crap out of me. I have no love for Sprint and the only reason I stay with them was for SERO. If for some reason one of the other companies came out with THE PHONE, ie a phone I actually want and pretty much must have, I would just just ship complete from Sprint never to return. Probably trade off my SERO account to someone less fortunate in my family.

By opening up the possibility of getting new phones again to people like me, they are less likely to see me finally switch carriers. Also, there are more people like me with Sprint plans than those that did switch. The vast majority of Sprint customers are still using legacy plans.

But that discounts the fact that their Everything Data plans are still FAR cheaper than anything Verizon or AT&T will offer you. It's still a really good deal, just not SERO good.

 

[Steve]

An update from that thread:

ok I called yesterday and its true

I have some new information:

Basically the rep said that SERO users who are on EVO 4G won't be able to get the free wifi hotspot tethering that the EPRP people have been enjoying.

He also said that the EVO and Epic 4G won't be available for purchase for the legacy/sero users until supply is back up.

He also told me that there will only be a $10 fee for evo and epic, meaning all the other phones that aren't 4g will be eligible for SERO. They expect to roll out this new deal in late september and early october.

Also, the gist is that this plan is extended to people on old legacy plans (F&F, F&C) which apparently represent a greater user base than SERO users.

 

[Steve]

Further update:

I work for Sprint and I have confirmed with our NYC Lexington Ave corporate office that this does NOT reflect the SERO plans but the employee advantage lines which actually used to be $20 a month for employees but will now be bumped up to $30 a month ($40 for WebOS or android devices) Legacy SERO plans will remain the way it is now and the newer SERO plans which starts at 59.99 for 500 minutes will remain the same as well. Sprint plans to slowly rid of the legacy SERO plans so dont expect what we call "Iconic devices" (HTC EVO, Samsung EPIC, Instinct M800, Instinct S30, Instinct HD, HTC Hero, Samsung Moment, Samsung Intercept, Palm Pre, Palm Pixi) to be upgradeable. Thee plans will override any employee plan on the accounts active (because they dont have any kind of commitment). No one should get there hopes up im sorry to say I had a lot of friends on the Sero plan but because of the slow phase out they have all switched to my employee line (do not ask me for referral please).

From: http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?p=31210274#post31210274

 

[HumblePie]

But that discounts the fact that their Everything Data plans are still FAR cheaper than anything Verizon or AT&T will offer you. It's still a really good deal, just not SERO good.

Yah, but I rather pay a few extra bucks a month if it means I get better customer service.

 

[gsaldivar]

I already dumped two SERO accounts and switched to Verizon. Oh well!

 

[Steve]

Doesn't matter, it looks like it only applies to old employee plans ($20 or $30/month, 3000 minutes, that kind of thing), not to SERO. But who knows what could happen? All rumor right now.

 

[SAWYER]

I am on an employee referral plan, does this mean my play will drop?

 

[boomhower]

I am on an employee referral plan, does this mean my play will drop?

No, these are different plans than your EPRP.

 

[AntiFreze]

I actually just got a second plan added to SERO today. I'm very happy about it. I'm really debating getting a Touch Pro 2 and installing Android on it and be done with it so I can keep my monthly price down.

 

[wirednuts]

i still have sero 500... with a treo pro 850. you cant beat $30 a month. the phone i have is good enough, im staying on this plan until they force me off.

 

[gsaldivar]

i still have sero 500... with a treo pro 850. you cant beat $30 a month. the phone i have is good enough, im staying on this plan until they force me off.

I used to think the same thing, but I'm glad I finally dumped mine. It was really far behind the curve, and now with my Verizon Incredible I can see just how much I was missing with my ancient Treo. If Verizon follows AT&T and phases out unlimited data, the good thing is that I'll likely be grandfathered.

The late switchers will be stuck with the metered plans...

Good luck!

 

[Steve]

I'm loving my BB Bold 9650 with my SERO F&F 500.

Anyway it sounds more like the provisions would be applied to old SWAC plans, not SERO.

 

[wirednuts]

my phone is really just a phone though. the key is to have one that can tether... because i compute using my laptop on the couch, i use my htpc for tv watching and i have a carpc for driving. as long as i have something that can get those devices online, anything my phone can do (like bing maps) is just backup for when my regular computers dont work.

all i really would want is a much better camera and better external speaker... but otherwise like i said, my phone isnt used for much.

 

[blackangst1]

As an update, a few peeps on sprintusers have called and gotten similar info:

Here are the options:
- Keep it as it is
- pay 10 more and get anytime minutes and gps navig and keeping my old phone
- or do both; get a new android/webos phone (then ofc you are forced to pay 10 more
- or pay 10 + 10 for evo and epic

Mails will be sent out after sept 1 and before oct 1..

I specifically asked him to log in to my account and check my plan which is SERO F and F 500...and said it is for all sero plans..

And also, SWAC is now official: http://www.sprint.com/landings/advantage_club/?id8=vanity:advantageclub#plans

Important Advantage Club Rate Plan Changes - Effective with October Invoices
Attention Advantage Club subscribers using the following devices:

Samsung Instinct®, Samsung Instinct® s30™, Samsung Instinct® HD, Palm® Pre™, Palm® Pixi™, Samsung Moment™, Samsung Intercept™, HTC Hero™, HTC EVO™ 4G

Beginning with your October invoice, your monthly charge will increase by $10.

Also starting in October, your premium rate plan will include Unlimited Sprint Navigation and Any, Mobile Anytime. We hope you enjoy these additional services.

Usuallly, as SWAC goes, so goes SERO. We'll know in the next few weeks for sure but its looking probable.

 

[AntiFreze]

very cool blackangst1. Now I just need to decide what phone to get... I have a $150 credit available, but the android phones will still cost me around $200 out of pocket. With the evo making my plan $50 a month if I chose that...

 

[Steve]

8/7 UPDATE: Sprint VP Russ S. McGuire seems to confirm it'll happen:

http://mobileunderground.info/entry.php?b=31

 

[JJ650]

Awesome. I'm glad I decided to stick with SERO.

 

[blackangst1]

CONFIRMED BY SPRINT: http://delivery.sprint.com/m/p/nxt/epc/EPRP2-modal.asp?vanity=false&popup=true

What are the plan details of the new SERO Premium rate plans?

As of 10/1/10, there will be two SERO Premium plans available, SERO Premium 500 at $40/month and SERO Premium 1250 at $59.99/month. SERO Premium plans will match current SERO rate plans with two added features, Any Mobile Anytime and Unlimited GPS Navigation. SERO Premium rate plans will be compatible with all devices offered by Sprint. Only customers on a current SERO rate plan as of 10/1/10 will be able to swap to a SERO Premium rate plan. 4G handsets such as HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Epic 4G will also require the $10 Premium Data add-on.