Sprint

Sprint taking the "unlimited" out of unlimited 4G mobile broadband plans

posted by Ian M.

Oct 21, 2011, 9:27 AM

Sprint taking the "unlimited" out of unlimited 4G mobile broadband plans

Sooner or later this day was going to come as Sprint has announced that they are putting an end to the all you can download buffet for all 4G mobile broadband devices such as tablets and mobile hotspots; smartphones however are still unlimited.

Sprint is the last remaining of the four main carriers to offer truly unlimited 4G data with no caps or speed throttling. Their mobile hotspots such as the Overdrive have been available on a monthly plan that included unlimited 4G data courtesy of Sprint’s WiMax network while a 5GB cap would be in place when in 3G areas.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that Sprint also took away unlimited data when using your smartphone to tether. This all comes after Sprint CTO Stephen Bye labeled unlimited data as a “differentiator” last month. Even though Sprint’s smartphones still will not be capped, this must be asked. How much longer until it is?

In addition to tablets and mobile hotspots, affected devices include netbooks and laptops with built-in WiMax support and USB connection cards. Sprint is making this change effective in November but dates will vary depending on the billing cycle. Once that change happens there will be three different plans to choose from; a 3GB, 5GB and a 10GB option. Instead of speed throttling Sprint is going the way of charging overages as every extra MB of data will cost $.05.

Unfortunately Sprint will not be grandfathering anybody into this plan. Once the change goes live everybody will be affected. It really only was a matter of time until this happened. What do all of you think of Sprint putting an end to unlimited 4G mobile broadband?

source: BGR

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56 Comments

55. Cristianx

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 24, 2011

I like that you do cancel my comtrato and I imagine many people will also leave unlimited deveria that's what differentiates sprint

posted on Oct 24, 2011, 5:00 AM 0

54. DigitalJedi_X1

Posts: 11; Member since: Sep 29, 2011

Is this really that hard for some of the dummies here to understand?! THIS IS FOR TABLETS AND MOBILE HOT SPOT DEVICES ONLY!! NOT FOR CELLPHONES!! Is that really that hard for some to understand?!

posted on Oct 23, 2011, 9:06 PM 0

51. mktpostal

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

I have been with Sprint since 1997. I stick with because of its loyalty plan and because of Sprint offers unlimited data plans on smartphones. If Sprint changes this I am a gonner. I love Verizon Fios so to consolidate all my services including phone services would be easy to do.

posted on Oct 23, 2011, 10:35 AM 0

50. yungmel0

Posts: 39; Member since: Jun 18, 2011

This is the Begining of the end for Sprint. I've been on Sprint for two years and the unlimited data has been sweet. I myself might have abused it tho. I used my hotspot app to access the net for my xbox..... Won't be doing that anymore!!!! But if Sprint wants to remain in competition they will have to hold out and keep making smart moves. This might not be a major blow to the company now but It's still effecting consumers. Unlimited data is the only thing holding them in a solid 3rd spot amongst the other big companies. If Sprint loses unlimited data they will not survive no matter how good their phone selection maybe. I will remain loyal to sprint but if unlimited data is gone I might as well look for better coverage vs a better deal.

posted on Oct 23, 2011, 5:51 AM 0

49. ChrisTheTechGuy

Posts: 85; Member since: Nov 04, 2010

My whole thing is, I understand changing it for mobile broadband services because you certainly can hog down a lot of data. But 5 cents a mb? Really? That means the worst bill I once saw (65gb) of overage that a customer used on a netbook (at vzw amounting to $650 in overage) would have been $3328. I would hate to field that call.

posted on Oct 22, 2011, 8:42 PM 0

47. Astreo

Posts: 105; Member since: May 05, 2011

And so it begins. I knew their "unlimited" plans were just a ploy to get people to sign up and that it would soon end. I do notice that it just says 4G though so does that mean 3G will still be unlimited? Edit* I suspect many people will be filling lawsuits now that they are stuck in contracts with supposedly unlimited data. such is the way of america.

posted on Oct 22, 2011, 12:13 PM 0

40. Jeradiah3

Posts: 1149; Member since: Feb 11, 2010

I knew this was coming...it was only a matter of time b4 sprint would follow everyone else and end their unltd data. although their cellphones arent affected, with the addition of the iPhone, its only a matter of time b4 sprint caps their data. id give it a year, maybe a little longer

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 7:11 PM 0

39. marcee

Posts: 2; Member since: Oct 21, 2011

Gonna make it a helluva lot harder to sell, that's for sure. We all knew it was only a matter of time...

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 6:58 PM 0

37. DigitalMD

Posts: 226; Member since: Feb 17, 2010

Sure puts a dent in your shiny new paper weight don;t it?

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 5:56 PM 1

36. GeekMovement unregistered

If sprint ever changes unlimited on smartphones... *poof*

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 5:32 PM 1

35. threeline

Posts: 325; Member since: Sep 11, 2011

If Sprint doesnt offer the Galaxy Nexus next month, there is no real reason why they shouldn't, Im out to VZW! VZW has 3 monster phones (Rezound, Galaxy Nexus, Droid RAZR) coming out and Sprint is resting on the 4S! Not good enough for me!

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 4:37 PM 0

44. sinfulta

Posts: 279; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

I thought the Galaxy S Nexus Prime is exclusive to VZW. Google was giving one exclusive model per year. First TMobile, then it was Sprint, and Now Verizon, Next year ATT. (This is not counting unlocked ones of course) I'm pretty sure this was the plan they said they had in place when google mentioned it a couple years ago.

posted on Oct 22, 2011, 12:58 AM 4

33. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

It better be a contract opt-out event. If not the BBB and FCC will be getting a lot of angry letters about sprint.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 3:38 PM 0

31. TECHY101

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 21, 2011

Hmm still seems ok to me...........my phone is still unlimited. i barely use 2gigs of data on my overdrive mobile hotspot so i'm ok with the change. I'd rather have this change then to worry about throttling my headset speed or limiting how much data I use on my iphone. Frankly you all should just get over it. Most of you'll have been stuck with those expensive VZW and ATT plans anyways so why does sprint matter.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 2:12 PM 2

26. KevMauHen18

Posts: 1; Member since: Oct 21, 2011

First of all, if you keep saying that smartphone users are screwed reread the article it clearly states that it is netbooks, tablets, the mifi devices, and the hotspot app. Also, I don't understand why people make such a big deal of sprint putting "caps" on their data, Verizon did it, ATT did it, and they're still as prosperous as ever. If anything, Sprint should be applauded for keeping up the truly unlimited data experience. It's inevitable that the change is going to happen it's a must in order for business to thrive. Obviously if you're grandfathered into an unlimited data plan you have nothing to worry about. So if you DON'T have a plan with Sprint or already have an unlimited data plan, stop complaining!

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:52 AM 4

25. jdrevolution

Posts: 87; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

This doesn't actually effect the iphone's internet use at all, considering smartphone internet is still unlimited and still un-throttled, and this effects the iphone even less because it's not a 4G phone anyways, so nothing here is effecting the iphone at all. The only thing this effects is broadband cards, tablets and netbooks. and people don't use the internet on those that much to begin with (as in the don't normally hit over 5GB). So if you have a sprint smartphone and don't have mobile hotspot or any of the other items, this has nothing to do with your phone or phone plan, and you would still continue to get the unlimitied internet and whatnot, which is something that still, neither ATT nor Verizon offer. I think the not grandfathering people in sucks but it won't effect sprint smartphone users as a whole.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:49 AM 1

23. Ravail

Posts: 182; Member since: Oct 14, 2011

I think many of us saw this coming when the iPhone was announced on Sprint. With this throttle being put into place its only going to make AT&T and Verizon stronger.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:21 AM 2

22. elandrumiii

Posts: 109; Member since: Mar 20, 2010

I have been pro Sprint for years. I dont mind the change but atleast VZW and ATT grandfathered those that already had the plan in place. Hello VZW or ATT. I can get more native coverage and LTE coverage with either one. Thats why I didnt get a new phone as of yet.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:18 AM 1

43. networkdood

Posts: 6330; Member since: Mar 31, 2010

No, eventually AT&T did force everyone onto 5GB plans....

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 10:13 PM 0

20. ecml490 unregistered

Sprint is starting to be a lot more like verizon and att. Increased etf to and today when I was going to return my epic touch 4g I learned that they changed their return policy to 14 days without knowing and wouldn't accept my return.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:05 AM 3

21. arcq12

Posts: 733; Member since: Oct 13, 2011

yup. they did those effective sept 16.. when they released the SGS2..

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:09 AM 1

19. squallz506

Posts: 1075; Member since: Oct 19, 2011

i like how im on virgin mobile and get unlimited data for $25/mo. including tethering. i just think its funny that sprints prepaid offers something that now none of the big 4 offer. i am talking about tethering unlimited for no extra charge for 1/4 of what people pay on the big 4.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:04 AM 1

24. jdrevolution

Posts: 87; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

Just to let you know, while Virgin Mobile (and Boost for that matter) do use the Sprint network they don't actually access it in it's entirety, so the coverage is smaller then Sprint's actually coverage, that's why it's cheaper.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:38 AM 4

38. beruit17

Posts: 7; Member since: Jun 16, 2011

It's also 3G only and roaming is extra.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 6:18 PM 0

17. ZayZay

Posts: 571; Member since: Feb 26, 2011

Already knew about this for a few weeks. Phone arena your behind the times.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 10:53 AM 0

18. arcq12

Posts: 733; Member since: Oct 13, 2011

i know right? it's been announced since like the end of sept or 1st week oct..

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:00 AM 0

27. Ian.M

Posts: 21; Member since: Jul 18, 2011

There were two seperate announcements. One for taking away unlimited internet when tethering and then this one for mobile broadband devices.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 11:58 AM 2

28. ZayZay

Posts: 571; Member since: Feb 26, 2011

We understand phone arena had two different announcements but not Sprint. We got informed in September.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 12:04 PM 0

15. skymitch89

Posts: 1453; Member since: Nov 05, 2010

And that's why I don't have a tablet or mobile hotspot, not to mention that I can't afford it. I'm happy with my teathering app that I have on my phone, though it would be nice for wireless teathering.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 10:23 AM 1

14. spanky

Posts: 81; Member since: Jun 02, 2011

this has been out for a while now. it is only affecting mobile broad band, not phones. increased revenue from this is being used to find the network vision project. i know very very few people that use more than 5gb of mobile broadband anyway.

posted on Oct 21, 2011, 10:23 AM 1

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