Anandtech said it themselves: Sprint has more sane data plans than the others, but not a very impressive selection of phones. Surely this move will do them some good.
It has nothing to do with this phone. Sprint has said repeatedly that it would not implement data caps in the next couple of years. In a few years, they might reconsider it. Don't forget, over the last couple of years, Sprint has added a $10 monthly charge for smartphones to try and recoup some of the higher costs. Their network is in many places congested do to their high volume of traffic. They are investing heavily in their "Network Vision" plan which should increase speeds and reduce costs. They are expected to announce future 4G plans in October, most likely 4G LTE, based on LightSquared's network that Sprint is building out for them, and Clearwire's future LTE-Advanced network. Sprint has the cheapest (by at least $30/month) plans, most perks, and the only national carrier with unlimited, unthrottled service.
If they have top-of-the-line phones, which they have with the Evo 3D and Photon 4G, plus the upcoming Galaxy 2 variant and Iphone 5 for the Apple fanatics, then they're all set for the future.
I just recently cancelled my cell phone plan through Verizon because I'm sick of the crap the cell phone companies are pulling. Just like AT&T's new move to eliminate all text messaging plans except for the unlimited. So you either pay per text or pay $20 for unlimited. I don't have a problem with the idea if the price to send a text was more reasonable. But to charge a comparable rate to sending a letter in the mail is just plain greed.
I think Sprint should try something unique with their service to entice customers to switch. It's not just about the lowest prices. How cool with it be if Sprint embraced modding of phones and worked with the community to help promote it. And offered things that could only be done on rooted phones. Just an idea. There are probably better ones.
Anyway, I hope the iPhone helps them to retain customers and to gain new ones. But I think the company should look to new avenues for ways to gain market share.
Sprint's been looking to differentiate more and more... They seem to be destined to be the new home of the Nexus line if T-Mobile is bought, look also at the Google Voice & Sprint integration. I think the notion that they don't have a good phone selection has been overturned for a year or two now (Pre, Hero, EVO 4G, Epic, Nexus S, EVO 3D, Photon), hopefully they keep it up.
If they offered unlocked phones like that, then they wouldn't get any money from the stupid people that use the built in bloatware.
Something that is awesome that Sprint does is their 1 yr contract length (if you have a family plan). That is great, because you get to upgrade you phone when you want to, instead of having to wait for the contract to expire.
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Sangueffusor - Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - link
Anandtech said it themselves: Sprint has more sane data plans than the others, but not a very impressive selection of phones. Surely this move will do them some good.Rayb - Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - link
Don't expect the data plans to stay that way for long once the phone is with the carrier.yelped - Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - link
It has nothing to do with this phone. Sprint has said repeatedly that it would not implement data caps in the next couple of years. In a few years, they might reconsider it. Don't forget, over the last couple of years, Sprint has added a $10 monthly charge for smartphones to try and recoup some of the higher costs. Their network is in many places congested do to their high volume of traffic. They are investing heavily in their "Network Vision" plan which should increase speeds and reduce costs. They are expected to announce future 4G plans in October, most likely 4G LTE, based on LightSquared's network that Sprint is building out for them, and Clearwire's future LTE-Advanced network. Sprint has the cheapest (by at least $30/month) plans, most perks, and the only national carrier with unlimited, unthrottled service.If they have top-of-the-line phones, which they have with the Evo 3D and Photon 4G, plus the upcoming Galaxy 2 variant and Iphone 5 for the Apple fanatics, then they're all set for the future.
anishannayya - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
The $10 has nothing to do with smartphones.It has to do with mitigating the cost of 4G upgrades. As a result, only 4G phones are charged the fee.
I'm a satisfied Sprint customer, but the 3G speeds really do suck. Hard. Luckily, I get 4G in my area outside, and am on WiFi indoors.
Sprint is the Southwest of the mobile carriers. Now if they can only figure out how to consistently post profits like Southwest...
EJMOSES - Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - link
Sure android is kicking apples pants...anishannayya - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
Yup. The numbers show it.swampthing1117 - Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - link
Evidently apple finally figured out that just being exclusive to one carrier is a good way to get your butt kicked.Someone needs to sue apple out of business.
anishannayya - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
This was just an all around stupid comment.AT&T paid Apple significant fees for the iPhone to be an exclusive phone.
And the second comment was just dumb.
gevorg - Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - link
Another insider "leak" from WSJ. Gotta keep the masters happy, eh, Steve?anishannayya - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
It's because Walt Mossberg is the biggest Apple fanboy in the media (except maybe David Pouge).fhaddad78 - Thursday, August 25, 2011 - link
I just recently cancelled my cell phone plan through Verizon because I'm sick of the crap the cell phone companies are pulling. Just like AT&T's new move to eliminate all text messaging plans except for the unlimited. So you either pay per text or pay $20 for unlimited. I don't have a problem with the idea if the price to send a text was more reasonable. But to charge a comparable rate to sending a letter in the mail is just plain greed.I think Sprint should try something unique with their service to entice customers to switch. It's not just about the lowest prices. How cool with it be if Sprint embraced modding of phones and worked with the community to help promote it. And offered things that could only be done on rooted phones. Just an idea. There are probably better ones.
Anyway, I hope the iPhone helps them to retain customers and to gain new ones. But I think the company should look to new avenues for ways to gain market share.
Impulses - Thursday, August 25, 2011 - link
Sprint's been looking to differentiate more and more... They seem to be destined to be the new home of the Nexus line if T-Mobile is bought, look also at the Google Voice & Sprint integration. I think the notion that they don't have a good phone selection has been overturned for a year or two now (Pre, Hero, EVO 4G, Epic, Nexus S, EVO 3D, Photon), hopefully they keep it up.anishannayya - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
If they offered unlocked phones like that, then they wouldn't get any money from the stupid people that use the built in bloatware.Something that is awesome that Sprint does is their 1 yr contract length (if you have a family plan). That is great, because you get to upgrade you phone when you want to, instead of having to wait for the contract to expire.