Ting (sprint MVNO) to allow BYOD in Q4

[SunnyD]

Linky

Bring your own device (BYOD) is one of the most oft asked for features for Ting customers both current and would-be. It’s always been on our list and we’re always working to be able to offer it. That work is beginning to pay off. We’ll be rolling out the first phase of our BYOD program in Q4 of this year.

We’d say we’re excited to announce BYOD but that sounds too PR-ish. We’d say we’re super stoked to announce BYOD but that’d sound like we’re trying too hard. I guess you could say we’re at a loss for words to express just how super excitedly stoked we are to announce BYOD.

Before we dive in to the details on our upcoming BYOD plan, we want to manage some expectations. First, we’ll only be able to do BYOD for devices that work on the Sprint network initially [CLARIFICATION: and both Boost and Virgin mobile devices are excluded]. BYOSD, if you will. That said, this is a vital first step toward a more fluid mobile world where devices can move between carriers. We’ll continue to push. Second, this is not a backdoor to get the iPhone on Ting. BlackBerry, push to talk (PTT) and a small list of specific handsets won’t be BYODable (hey, it’s a word now). At least not immediately.

 

[cronos]

This sounds interesting. I can probably get by with 0 min + 0 txt + 100 MB package for about $10 + whatever overage they will charge me for the 15 min of voice and 5 txt that I used up in a month. Assuming the overage rate is reasonable (couldn't find the overage rate anywhere, just said that I'll get charged at the end of the month if I use more).

Maybe I'll get to try out the Motorola Photon after all!

 

[SunnyD]

This sounds interesting. I can probably get by with 0 min + 0 txt + 100 MB package for about $10 + whatever overage they will charge me for the 15 min of voice and 5 txt that I used up in a month. Assuming the overage rate is reasonable (couldn't find the overage rate anywhere, just said that I'll get charged at the end of the month if I use more).

Maybe I'll get to try out the Motorola Photon after all!

They don't charge overages. They slide your tiers based on your monthly usage.

If you use 15 minutes of voice, they'll bump you to the 100 minutes for $3 tier. If you use 5 txts, they'll bump you to the 100 txts for $3 tier.

The beauty of Ting is that they will actually bump you DOWN a tier if you use less than the tier you used the previous month, automatically.

 

[Phokus]

The $6 per device cost makes no sense though. It would be a fantastic deal if that wasn't there.

 

[SunnyD]

The $6 per device cost makes no sense though. It would be a fantastic deal if that wasn't there.

I agree it's a tad high for my liking. Price-wise though it isn't too bad. Ideally it'd be gone, or at least discounted for multiple devices ($6 for 1, $4.50 per for 2, etc).

 

[cronos]

They don't charge overages. They slide your tiers based on your monthly usage.

If you use 15 minutes of voice, they'll bump you to the 100 minutes for $3 tier. If you use 5 txts, they'll bump you to the 100 txts for $3 tier.

The beauty of Ting is that they will actually bump you DOWN a tier if you use less than the tier you used the previous month, automatically.

Ah okay. This doesn't fit my type of usage then.

The $6 per device cost makes no sense though. It would be a fantastic deal if that wasn't there.

Agreed.

We should remember however that this is basically the first time ever a Sprint phone can be officially brought over to a prepaid carrier, so I guess they think it's worth the tiny premium.

Verizon has allowed BYOD for a while through PP (though unofficial, everybody is doing it), and while we used to be able to do this with Sprint phones through one PlatinumTel dealer, it's never actually advertised anywhere (and afaik no longer an option). If there's a Sprint phone that you really wanted to use (e.g. my semi-obsession with the Photon), then this will be the only option.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Would have been nice if they had offered this six months ago, they may have gotten a couple of new customers.