Sprint ad tells smartphone users to just say no to hiring a data coach

posted by Alan F. / Nov 04, 2012, 2:57 AM

Sprint ad tells smartphone users to just say no to hiring a data coach

Sprint's latest television ad promoting its unlimited data plan deals once again with a family that has been torn apart trying to divy up its monthly allotment of data. To prevent the family from going over its cap which would lead to overages or slower data speeds as the family gets throttled, they decide to hire a data coach.

The data coach shuts down all non Wi-Fi use of data by grabbing the phone away and yelling "Nay!" whenever he see data being used. The coach appears to be from an Eastern European bloc country, so he appears to be pretty intimidating. Of course, the answer to getting past all of this according to the ad, is to sign up for Sprint's unlimited plan.

Still, Sprint might be on to something here, a whole new job to guard families' monthly data cap. Armed with a taser, the coach would have the authority to zap 50,000 volts into those not complying with the rules to save data. This has the makings of a decent reality show, wouldn't you agree?

source: Sprint (1), (2)

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21 Comments

1. Topcat488

Posts: 1412; Member since: Sep 29, 2012

Finding good carrier is tough yeah... But seriously, i'm moving back to the United States in July/August 2013, and would like to know which is the best cellphone carrier for a single person? I'm looking for full service/unlimited... I've heard it's cheaper in family plans, any advise? Thanks to all in advance. Single, no family.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 2:22 AM 3

4. Non_Sequitur

Posts: 1111; Member since: Mar 16, 2012

They all suck. Just go with what you think would be best for you ATM.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 6:36 AM 4

5. MartyK

Posts: 1043; Member since: Apr 11, 2012

It depends on the city you are moving to. Each carriers (no matter what their fans would says) have their strong area and weak area. Also keep, in mind all 4 Carrier have a Roaming Agreement no one likes to talks about; but, start with the city, then area, you will find the right carrier for yourself.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 7:20 AM 4

7. JunitoNH

Posts: 1946; Member since: Feb 15, 2012

Be more specific, what part of country you are moving to, is simultaneous voice and data important to you? Do you like swapping phones? Do you travel internationally, etc? Not all carriers are the same, but they do share one thing in common- they all want to rip you off.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 7:25 AM 2

8. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

I would just get an unlocked LG Nexus 4 for $350 USD and either use with AT&T or T-Mobile. That's your best bet. Take pricing into consideration. AT&T is more expensive than T-Mobile, but you get speed and coverage mostly everywhere you go. If you live in an urban area, then try T-Mobile, where you get pretty fast speeds at a reasonable price. Do your research first especially if you're going to sign a contract.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 8:55 AM 0

12. RORYREVOLUTION

Posts: 3131; Member since: Jan 12, 2010

Just go to each of the carriers websites and click on coverage map, put in the address or even just the city you will be moving to and it will show you how the coverage is.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 11:38 AM 2

13. johnbftl

Posts: 283; Member since: Jun 09, 2012

If you're going to stay in the states, go with Verizon. If you want your handset to be useful if you leave or travel, go with AT&T. Neither has unlimited data but honestly, 99% of people that have unlimited data plans don't have usage that warrant the necessity for one. Sprint's unlimited data claim is within network and their 4G WiMAX is slower than most 3G networks in congested areas. T-Mobile throttles after 2GBs and Dan Hesse has made it very clear that they still reserve the right to throttle or limit data hogs. So even Sprint isn't unlimited. I'd suggest monitoring your monthly data usage before moving here to see what you really use on average so you have a better idea of what you really need.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 4:04 PM 1

18. Twashbush

Posts: 47; Member since: Jun 08, 2011

Sorry @johnbftl, but if your on this site your likely not one of those people that use less than 2gb like the quoted average user does. because the average user only uses a smartphone for about 1/4 of designed uses and features. most of the people that are on this site are avid tech users (I know I am at least, I used 48gb of data on my verizon phone last month, mostly while i'm at work because we are not allowed to use our personal devices on the company network.) As for the companies charging per data fees that is pure greed. there isn't some great cost for you to use more data, at most a dollar or two worth extra power usage by the towers.

posted on Nov 05, 2012, 2:33 AM 0

21. johnbftl

Posts: 283; Member since: Jun 09, 2012

I'm at work 11 hours a day and I have Wi-Fi at home so yes, most months I stay under 2GB. I do have an unlimited plan and will keep it for as long as I can because I do have excessive months. I work for a major carrier and deal with accounts all day. I can tell you from hands on experience that most people use less data than they think they do. Most people that have unlimited don't really need it. You obviously are the exception. Ask anyone that works in wireless and they will tell you that most customers can stay within a data package provided for them them if the rep listens to what they say they actually do with their phone. I'm not just feeding some bs that I was taught to say by my company, after working in wireless for 11 years and having sold all 4 major carrier at some point, that is the truth.

posted on Nov 06, 2012, 10:34 PM 0

19. Berzerk000

Posts: 4275; Member since: Jun 26, 2011

T-Mobile has a truly unlimited plan available now, not the 2 GB then throttle unlimited. And just because Sprint has the right to throttle data hogs doesn't mean it's still not unlimited, those "data hogs" are the 1% minority and use 75-100+ GB of data unreasonably. Don't use your phone for a modem and you'll be alright. And didn't Verizon admit to throttling the top 5% of data users?

posted on Nov 05, 2012, 4:49 AM 0

20. Twashbush

Posts: 47; Member since: Jun 08, 2011

Maybe in bigger citys like NY but i know they aren't in my area. as i was at 45gb used and downloaded a 2gb torrent file to my phone at 2-3 mbps download rate

posted on Nov 06, 2012, 4:38 AM 0

2. toiletcleaner

Posts: 224; Member since: Oct 10, 2012

Verizon has the best service. but they are the one whit share data plans. att is the #2. but no unlimited data, only ones u have to go is Sprint ( #3 ) and T mobile ( #4 ) those are the only ones whit unlimited data. pre-paid is depend where are u going to move. New York has a few whit good services, Boost mobile, Metro piece of Sh... , for just $55 a month. whit unlimited everything. like i said. all depends where are going to move.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 4:18 AM 6

3. ajac09

Posts: 1482; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

They should do a commercial showing how there unlimited data is so useless in areas with more then 1000 subscribers connected at any given time

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 6:22 AM 4

10. threeline

Posts: 309; Member since: Sep 11, 2011

Sprint sucks, especially in West Phoenix which is where a major part of the Phoenix population lives.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 9:22 AM 0

6. MartyK

Posts: 1043; Member since: Apr 11, 2012

Oh and one more thing, welcome back to the slow a** upgrade the carriers loves to do!!..better go with the Nexus Brand Phones & Tablets

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 7:23 AM 1

9. ChafedBanana

Posts: 409; Member since: Sep 20, 2011

That commercial was terrible. Not funny at all. It could have been so much better. I couldn't even tell what was happening.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 8:57 AM 0

11. cheeseycheeser

Posts: 413; Member since: Mar 24, 2011

They should have made the coach louder and scarier. It wasn't that funny, and why was he yelling at the dad for making a phone call and the daughter for texting? That doesn't use data...

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 10:48 AM 1

14. infinitemethod

Posts: 151; Member since: Sep 04, 2012

That's cute and all but when I had sprint I couldn't even stream Pandora anymore. My smartphone became wifi only. Not to mention they're one of the worst to deal with customer service wise.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 7:16 PM 0

15. ChangMin2012

Posts: 87; Member since: Apr 14, 2012

I have good faith in Sprint.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 7:31 PM 0

16. lsutigers

Posts: 832; Member since: Mar 08, 2009

Sprint is definitely working on it, they have been doing a ton of network improvements in FL and 3G has improved 10 fold, speeds are now 2mbps+ on 3G consistently, which is more than enough to stream anything on a smartphone. Sprint LTE is already live in some areas and it's rolling out nationwide very fast, they will be almost neck and neck with AT&T by the end of the year. BTW, someone mentioned WiMAX is slower than 3G, not sure where you are but WiMAX in MOST areas runs between 6-10mbps which is plenty fast.

posted on Nov 04, 2012, 9:48 PM 1

17. johnbftl

Posts: 283; Member since: Jun 09, 2012

WiMAX does run 6-10 mbps in uncongested markets. Go somewhere like Los Angeles or Metropolitan New York and you're looking at real world speeds of closer to 1-1.5 mbps if you're lucky.