Why Is Sprint So Much Cheaper?

[AstroManLuca]

So what would 2 Evo's, both with unlimited data plans and 1500 minutes shared, run on Sprint? $69 X 2 or is there a family plan?
Looks like the phones are $200 each but they are sold out online. I'll have to find a store.

With the standard Everything Data plan, that would be $129 + $10 per Evo for the Evo tax. So $149.

With EPRP, it would be $109 + $10 per Evo, so $129. Also, EPRP has 1600 minutes vs. 1500 (not that it makes a huge difference especially with Any Mobile Anytime).

 

[olds]

Thanks Luca.

 

[dC0m]

I'm with Sprint and I think it's great for the price. I'm on an old $60 family plan with 550 minutes shared and it's all my 5 lines ever need. I think the service is great wherever I go and I rarely have to deal with customer service.

I came from T-Mobile which was horrible, and I lived in a metropolitan city too, where coverage shouldn't be a problem!

 

[olds]

...

Sprint roams on Verizon when needed, even for data (1XRTT) in a pinch.

I stopped in the store today, no Evos in stock.
The salesperson said that it won't roam data on Verizon. "If there is no Sprint data signal, you need to look for a wifi signal."

That would suck.

He did say I can get a monthly 20% discount because of my employer.

Another question:
When I worked in Haz Mat emergency response, I signed up for some service through my employer where I could still use my phone in the event that cell service was curtailed in an emergency. They wouldn't shut me down. Anyone know what that service is called?

 

[rudeguy]

AFAIK, it depends on what plan you are on for data roaming. I could be wrong since its been years since I sold Sprint.

For the other part...what do you mean by curtailed? Are you talking about all cell service being down or ???? Its late and my brain isn't 100%.

 

[zerocool84]

I stopped in the store today, no Evos in stock.
The salesperson said that it won't roam data on Verizon. "If there is no Sprint data signal, you need to look for a wifi signal."

That would suck.

He did say I can get a monthly 20% discount because of my employer.

Another question:
When I worked in Haz Mat emergency response, I signed up for some service through my employer where I could still use my phone in the event that cell service was curtailed in an emergency. They wouldn't shut me down. Anyone know what that service is called?

Hmm I've never heard of that service before but that sounds interesting. I'll try to check into it as that might be something I might want as well.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I know I can't receive data when roaming on Verizon. I'm staring at the big R on my phone right now and it won't work. I'm on the Everything Data 450 plan (or something along the lines of that naming convention).

Olds if you add in a 20% employer discount the cost just gets so ridiculously low. I got in on an employee discount via slickdeals that put my monthly bill at ~$50/month. This is why it's so hard for me to ever switch. Even if I go with my corporate discount on Verizon/AT&T it's not even fair.

 

[boomhower]

I stopped in the store today, no Evos in stock.
The salesperson said that it won't roam data on Verizon. "If there is no Sprint data signal, you need to look for a wifi signal."

That would suck.

He did say I can get a monthly 20% discount because of my employer.

Another question:
When I worked in Haz Mat emergency response, I signed up for some service through my employer where I could still use my phone in the event that cell service was curtailed in an emergency. They wouldn't shut me down. Anyone know what that service is called?

It will roam on Verizon but you aren't going to get blazing speed. Since you are roaming you are going to be put at the bottom of the totem pole behind all of the Verizon customers, expect edge like speeds when you are roaming. It's not always the case and will depend on tower loads. I roam from time to time at work and sometimes it's fine and others it's not usable at all. This is on an EVO.

 

[axia55]

After debating the Verizon to Sprint switch for about a month now, I used the EPRP discount and signed up for the Everything Data plan with a Samsung Moment. I am going to try it out for the 30 days along side by Droid. I am not planning on keeping the Moment, if I like Sprint I figure the Epic should be out in the next month and I can switch under the 30 day guarantee.

I ordered online but had to call CS because I put in my contact phone # incorrectly. I asked as many relevant questions as I could think of and the person I talked to was VERY friendly and helpful. Good start.....

Should be interesting either way!

 

[olds]

..

For the other part...what do you mean by curtailed? Are you talking about all cell service being down or ???? Its late and my brain isn't 100%.

It's been about 8 years since I worked in Haz Mat but here is/was the deal.
In the event of a national emergency, they would shut down cell service to all but emergency responders. We had to be registered for the service. I had to send an email from my employers email. Then when they shut out private citizens, we could still use cell.

 

[sswingle]

It will roam on Verizon but you aren't going to get blazing speed. Since you are roaming you are going to be put at the bottom of the totem pole behind all of the Verizon customers, expect edge like speeds when you are roaming. It's not always the case and will depend on tower loads. I roam from time to time at work and sometimes it's fine and others it's not usable at all. This is on an EVO.

Sprint roams on verizon with 1x. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Sprint roams on verizon with 1x. Nothing more, nothing less.

I think they might limit you to 300MB of data roaming a month... I've seen it show up on my account online as having 300MB of data roaming. I don't think that's a big deal though, you'd have to roam a lot to get 300MB on 1X.

 

[Pepsei]

i'd like to add that corp discount is nothing to sneeze at. i have a family plan. and wells fargo gets 27% off the entire bill.

i think it goes up to 30% depending on who you work for?

 

[randomlinh]

I know I can't receive data when roaming on Verizon. I'm staring at the big R on my phone right now and it won't work. I'm on the Everything Data 450 plan (or something along the lines of that naming convention).

Olds if you add in a 20% employer discount the cost just gets so ridiculously low. I got in on an employee discount via slickdeals that put my monthly bill at ~$50/month. This is why it's so hard for me to ever switch. Even if I go with my corporate discount on Verizon/AT&T it's not even fair.

check your phone to see if data roaming is even on. On the Pre, I know it's off by default (or, at least by default if you wipe it yourself). It's slow as hell, heh. but it works if you need it.

 

[zerocool84]

i'd like to add that corp discount is nothing to sneeze at. i have a family plan. and wells fargo gets 27% off the entire bill.

i think it goes up to 30% depending on who you work for?

Yep I get 30% but also they give discounts for pretty much everything. 10% for being a credit union member and no activation fees either.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I can get a 25% discount from Sprint, but I love being able to swap out SIM cards with GSM/TMobile.

I'm currently out of contract with TMobile for my family plan, am sorely tempted to go with Sprint, they installed repeaters throughout my hospital and my friends get 4 bars all through the buildings.

 

[Fingolfin269]

check your phone to see if data roaming is even on. On the Pre, I know it's off by default (or, at least by default if you wipe it yourself). It's slow as hell, heh. but it works if you need it.

I must be blind... can't find that option anywhere!

 

[jonnyGURU]

I've been fucked over multiple times with Sprint but never Verizon.

I was fucked over by Verizon before moving to Sprint.

Same here. I was with PrimeCo, which was bought by GTE, which became Verizon. My "old" PrimeCo plan wasn't compatible with Verizon's new billing system so I kept getting billed incorrectly. They had to manually adjust each bill every month. They "fixed" this by switching my old plan to a new plan that was compatible with Verizon's billing system. Thing is, they started me up on a new 2 year plan when they did this without notifying me. When my work gave me a phone, I cancelled Verizon. They hit me with an early termination fee of $275~ and reported me to a credit agency. I never even got a phone from Verizon. I bought a used Nokia off eBay at the time, so clearly the fee was ridiculous and certainly reporting me to a credit agency was uncalled for. They said that by simply paying the first bill once it was switched over to the new billing system that I agreed to the terms of the contract.

My experience is with Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.

I will say that Verizon has the best network. But I will NEVER EVER go back to them after what happened to me.

AT&T has the best customer service, but the worse coverage EVER.

Sprint is a good happy medium. Customer service is good, but it's based in the Phillipines so the connection sucks when calling them (ironic, right?) and there's a bit of an accent you have to deal with. Coverage is better than AT&T, but not as good as Verizon.

Sprint is also dirt cheap. I have a $129/month plan that includes two phones, 1500 minutes, free calls after 7 PM, unlimited data and text and unlimited cell to cell calls on any network.

The phones are also reasonable too. I picked up the Android based Samsung Intercept for only $99. Other than the fact that the camera lacks a flash, this has to be one of the best phones I've used and I've used Blackberry, Windows Mobile based Motorola and iPhone. Of course, the Android OS has a lot to do with that, but it's nice to have the flip out full QWERTY keyboard. Too bad you can't get E*Trade and Bejeweled Blitz for Android, but there's no shortage of apps. I downloaded 25 free apps just within the first 24 hours of having the phone.

 

[axia55]

Same here. I was with PrimeCo, which was bought by GTE, which became Verizon. My "old" PrimeCo plan wasn't compatible with Verizon's new billing system so I kept getting billed incorrectly. They had to manually adjust each bill every month. They "fixed" this by switching my old plan to a new plan that was compatible with Verizon's billing system. Thing is, they started me up on a new 2 year plan when they did this without notifying me. When my work gave me a phone, I cancelled Verizon. They hit me with an early termination fee of $275~ and reported me to a credit agency. I never even got a phone from Verizon. I bought a used Nokia off eBay at the time, so clearly the fee was ridiculous and certainly reporting me to a credit agency was uncalled for. They said that by simply paying the first bill once it was switched over to the new billing system that I agreed to the terms of the contract.

My experience is with Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.

I will say that Verizon has the best network. But I will NEVER EVER go back to them after what happened to me.

AT&T has the best customer service, but the worse coverage EVER.

Sprint is a good happy medium. Customer service is good, but it's based in the Phillipines so the connection sucks when calling them (ironic, right?) and there's a bit of an accent you have to deal with. Coverage is better than AT&T, but not as good as Verizon.

Sprint is also dirt cheap. I have a $129/month plan that includes two phones, 1500 minutes, free calls after 7 PM, unlimited data and text and unlimited cell to cell calls on any network.

The phones are also reasonable too. I picked up the Android based Samsung Intercept for only $99. Other than the fact that the camera lacks a flash, this has to be one of the best phones I've used and I've used Blackberry, Windows Mobile based Motorola and iPhone. Of course, the Android OS has a lot to do with that, but it's nice to have the flip out full QWERTY keyboard. Too bad you can't get E*Trade and Bejeweled Blitz for Android, but there's no shortage of apps. I downloaded 25 free apps just within the first 24 hours of having the phone.

I was thinking about getting the Intercept for my Wife, but I was turned off by the fact the screen is lower res and the 3G is a slower spec than the Moment it was supposed to replace! Have you had any issues with either?

 

[AstroManLuca]

I wouldn't get the Intercept. It's just the Moment except worse in almost every way:

- Screen is smaller and lower res
- 3G radio is slower
- Camera has no flash
- Cost is exactly the same

There's just no reason to get it unless the slightly improved keyboard layout is really that important to you.

 

[axia55]

I wouldn't get the Intercept. It's just the Moment except worse in almost every way:

- Screen is smaller and lower res
- 3G radio is slower
- Camera has no flash
- Cost is exactly the same

There's just no reason to get it unless the slightly improved keyboard layout is really that important to you.

Hmm.....seems like the area Sprint needs to address is mid-range phones. Moment/Intercept/Hero seem like low-end or outdated and then it jumps up to EVO/Epic range without anything inbetween unless I am missing something.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Well.. the Moment was discontinued, so it's not like you can get the Moment instead of the Intercept for the same price.

The screen is smaller and lower res, but it's still bigger than a Blackberry and it's definitely large enough. I don't really want another large phone like the iPhone.

It's true it doesn't have 3G, but my AT&T coverage was so spotty (Far NW Chicagoland) that I never got consistent 3G. I dare say that the data seems faster on the Intercept simply because it's consistent. 3G does you know good if it drops out every two seconds. Heck, there's an area from Gurnee, IL to Pleasant Prairie, WI where there's no AT&T coverage, voice or data, at all.

The camera not having a flash does bug me. By BBY 8900 had the most awesome camera ever with a super bright flash that also worked for video. The Intercept has nada, despite having a fairly decent 3.2mp camera.

My reason for getting it was the price. I'm unemployed now, so I couldn't spring for another Blackberry (glad I didn't because other than the camera, I like this better) and AT&T was just too expensive. Yes, the Intercept is a "low end" phone, but the next choice up is $150 or $200 and I just don't have that kind of money.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Really, the Moment was discontinued? I was looking at Sprint's site yesterday and it was available for purchase at $99.99, same as the Intercept. I'm sure there's a Best Buy, Radio Shack, or some other store that has it. Maybe they're out of stock only at Sprint B&M locations.

The Intercept does have 3G, it's just using a really old radio for it. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes but it's not an improvement, that's for sure. I could see going for the Intercept if it's cheaper, but it's not, it's the same price. Then again, supposedly the Moment is discontinued. Oh well.

And I agree, axia55, I'd like to see midrange phones too. The Moment and Hero were both considered midrange months ago, but now they're pretty low end. The Intercept is even lower end than either of those. I'd like to see something that isn't as high end as the Evo or Epic available. Something along the lines of the Droid, with a bigger screen without being enormous and a little faster with more RAM than the current offerings. I don't really care about 4G and I'm not really that interested in the Evo because of the poor battery life.

 

[axia55]

Really, the Moment was discontinued? I was looking at Sprint's site yesterday and it was available for purchase at $99.99, same as the Intercept. I'm sure there's a Best Buy, Radio Shack, or some other store that has it. Maybe they're out of stock only at Sprint B&M locations.

Not true, it may be discontinued soon, but I bought the moment as my "test" phone from the Sprint website. In fact, it should be at my house shortly :-D Can't wait to do a side by side comparison (of service) with my Droid over the next few weeks. I am really hoping that the Sprint service is comparable (and that the Epic comes out soon) so that I can make the jump.

 

[jonnyGURU]

If you look at the side by side comparisons, it looks like the Moment was originally more money than the Intercept. You'll also find that the Intercept is smaller, lighter and has longer battery life and I think that's the goal Samsung and Sprint were shooting for when deciding to replace one with the other. Like I said, I'm quite tickled with the phone.