Phone as modem plans

[Niklaus]

:)
Here are the new plan costs effective 1-19-06 for tethering phone to laptop:

$39.99 for unlimited MB of Vision Data (requires a 2yr)
$39.99 for 40 MB of vision data (requires at least 1yr)
$49.99 for unlimited MB of vision Data (with a 1yr)

available on EV-DO phones as well as regular vision phones

:clap:

[lgmayka]

Is the $25/mo Power Vision Modem pack still available? Has Sprint decided yet whether to treat modem usage separately from in-phone usage on that pack?

Are the packs you quote separate from Power Vision packs? In fact, is that the idea? The Power Vision Modem pack was too difficult to understand or bill for, and so these new modem packs clearly separate modem usage from in-phone usage?

I am very pleased to see the $40/mo unlimited modem usage pack. That appears to be a new price point for fully approved, unlimited modem usage (a better price than either Verizon or Sprint charges for a connection card).

[Niklaus]

Is the $25/mo Power Vision Modem pack still available? Has Sprint decided yet whether to treat modem usage separately from in-phone usage on that pack?

Are the packs you quote separate from Power Vision packs? In fact, is that the idea? The Power Vision Modem pack was too difficult to understand or bill for, and so these new modem packs clearly separate modem usage from in-phone usage?

I am very pleased to see the $40/mo unlimited modem usage pack. That appears to be a new price point for fully approved, unlimited modem usage (a better price than either Verizon or Sprint charges for a connection card).

That's exactly right. They are seperate and therefor easier and approved for usage. the $25 pack you mentioned was the old package and I do not know if ev-do will be extra or not.
Also wanted to point out one other thing: I did not see sub phone pricing, at half cost on this. :rolleyes: figures!

[stevenmh]

Source? If I go thru the motions at sprint.com to sign up for a plan, the $25/mo plan is still all there is for tethering.

[Niklaus]

Source? If I go thru the motions at sprint.com to sign up for a plan, the $25/mo plan is still all there is for tethering.

My source is in the SPRINT database listed as PSA PRICING index. It is a new KMS (knowledge management system) document. These plans JUST release today, and will be available soon on sprint.com

call the reps to have it added :Popcorn2:

[stevenmh]

I just signed up for the $25/mo plan a few days ago... which according to the rep who signed me up includes up to 40MB tethering plus unlimited handset data.

If I'm understanding you correctly, I would now need $25/mo for unlimited Vision plus $40/mo for tethering. Not much better than maxing out the current plan at $70/mo. Sprint's tethering pricing seems to be geared towards power users, not those who connect a few times a week with a Pocket PC and save their real browsing for high speed landline connections.

My tethering is very light... I don't really have a reason to switch plans. I assume what I have now is part of my contract and will remain valid unless I switch phones or do anything else that would reset my contract timer.

[psp819]

thats pretty cool i think im gunna use mine as a modem

[Niklaus]

I just signed up for the $25/mo plan a few days ago... which according to the rep who signed me up includes up to 40MB tethering plus unlimited handset data.

If I'm understanding you correctly, I would now need $25/mo for unlimited Vision plus $40/mo for tethering. Not much better than maxing out the current plan at $70/mo. Sprint's tethering pricing seems to be geared towards power users, not those who connect a few times a week with a Pocket PC and save their real browsing for high speed landline connections.

My tethering is very light... I don't really have a reason to switch plans. I assume what I have now is part of my contract and will remain valid unless I switch phones or do anything else that would reset my contract timer.

not BOTH plans. Just one. Unlimited for $40 :wavey:

[machookup]

not BOTH plans. Just one. Unlimited for $40 :wavey:
I called CS and spoke with the "Internet Department" who couldn't find this new pricing anywhere. Is it just to early for them to provide it, or are they as lost as usual?

[MizzSprintPCS]

I would like to know I have been connecting my laptop to my cellphone. So you are telling me that it is costing me to do this. I have the Sanyo MM-9000 and I have the $25 month vision plan. So what's up how does this work......... :wavey:

[Niklaus]

I called CS and spoke with the "Internet Department" who couldn't find this new pricing anywhere. Is it just to early for them to provide it, or are they as lost as usual?

1st what phone do you have? power vision?
2nd it is listed as "phone as modem" in "psa pricing"
maybe cust care could do a better job of adding the plan for you? ;)

[Niklaus]

I would like to know I have been connecting my laptop to my cellphone. So you are telling me that it is costing me to do this. I have the Sanyo MM-9000 and I have the $25 month vision plan. So what's up how does this work......... :wavey:

you have the "ultimate" pack. If you use too much data transfer they'll catch you. get the $40 pack and use it all the time and be better off... :Popcorn2:

[carcomputer21]

I have called *2 about 4 times now to try to get phone as modem information. None of the csr had any idea and wanted to send me off to a 45 minute wait for internet.

Could someone post a URL to the rate plans.

Specifically what do we ask for - I would love to change to this plan if it was just $40 for both unlimited data and for unlimited vision.

[lgmayka]

not BOTH plans. Just one. Unlimited for $40 :wavey:
I suspect that the new plans you quote cover only tethered data. They do not cover any kind of Vision/Power Vision usage on the phone itself. Or do they?

[stevenmh]

not BOTH plans. Just one. Unlimited for $40 :wavey:

Now that would be a very fair price. Based on some of the comments above, though, it sounds like CS isn't ready to add these plans for people yet.

What does PSA stand for?

[Niklaus]

Now that would be a very fair price. Based on some of the comments above, though, it sounds like CS isn't ready to add these plans for people yet.

What does PSA stand for?

Pricing & Service Availability :cool:

[carcomputer21]

I just got the following from ecare - It doesn't agree with the info that Niklaus posted. I don't believe that the ecare response is correct.

What do I need to ask for to get the $40/mo unlimited data plus unlimited power vision -(is that the same as the ultimate plan?)

Are voice minutes effected at all by the time that we are doing tethering?

.................................................. .....................................
Thank you for contacting Sprint together with Nextel. I will be happy
to assist you regarding Phones as Modems Attachable for EVDO Power
Vision devices.

The details for 40MB of Power Vision Data Attachable Phone as Modem plan
plan for $39.99 are as below:

- Includes 40MB of data
- Must be combined with a primary voice plan on subscription
- $.20 per minute voice overage charges apply
- Overage rate of $.001 per kilobyte
- Overage and MRC capped at $69.99
- One-year Subscriber Agreement Required

To know more about the service plans, please click on the following
hyperlink:
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/NewZipCode.jsp

[Niklaus]

I just got the following from ecare - It doesn't agree with the info that Niklaus posted. I don't believe that the ecare response is correct.

What do I need to ask for to get the $40/mo unlimited data plus unlimited power vision -(is that the same as the ultimate plan?)

Are voice minutes effected at all by the time that we are doing tethering?

.................................................. .....................................
Thank you for contacting Sprint together with Nextel. I will be happy
to assist you regarding Phones as Modems Attachable for EVDO Power
Vision devices.

The details for 40MB of Power Vision Data Attachable Phone as Modem plan
plan for $39.99 are as below:

- Includes 40MB of data
- Must be combined with a primary voice plan on subscription
- $.20 per minute voice overage charges apply
- Overage rate of $.001 per kilobyte
- Overage and MRC capped at $69.99
- One-year Subscriber Agreement Required

To know more about the service plans, please click on the following
hyperlink:
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/NewZipCode.jsp

I wonder why they only posted one of the options? :confused:
there are others too. This is one of the codes. It appears "overage" on all plans is $.20 per min. The other option is the same cost, requires a 2yr, but is unlimited data. On my first post, he/she listed the middle option. the others are available :)

[vrogers]

As stated b4, it is not online but it is there when you call in (at least on the b2b side); the rep needed to hunt for it (she was trained with the old pricing of $40/40Mb). She says I won't get to bring over my unlimited sms message (free for the primary, and included in vision for all add a phones); I'll see when I get to the store if I can get them to keep it on. Thanks for the info, wouldnt of known to ask for it otherwise.

[GigaTigga]

So is this confirmed to work? I'm using my phone very limited as a modem, maybe 2 megs a day, and they haven't been charging me, i'm afraid i'll draw attention to myself if i call and start asking about these plans... :ohcrap:

[mikesco]

More than likely they will only offer it to their Business customers for awhile and the eventually offer it to everyone. This seems to be how Sprint operates at least as far as Data plans go.

Mike Smith

[mswaterfalls]

sprint has serious issues.they charge you for everything.

[mrsam3]

does this work with all phones? i want to buy some VI-2300's but i hear that they athe #700 is disabled. So if I pay for these plans will it work?

[vrogers]

The reps at the store are now familar with the plan, so I assume it is available to everyone. $49.99 w/o contract $39.99 w/. Using it on an A900. I speculate that with a plan like this now out there they will do their best to get everyone to be honest, maybe not right away, but it will probably happen.

I should add that you don't need any other data plan (i.e. the power vision, etc.), you get unlimited data period (tv, music, etc. not included).

[stevenmh]

I added the $40/unlimited plan today in place of the $25/phone-as-modem plan.

I think it might confuse people when you say TV, music, etc. not included. I assume you mean that the 40MB plan doesn't give you TV Live/Ultimate or Sirius, which is true. However, the DATA USEAGE associated with any such service that you may purchase IS included. You have unlimited useage of any free Vision features (including the free TV and music channels), unlimited useage of any extra-cost Vision feature you subscribe to, and unlimited tethering to an external device.

This is as opposed to the $25/mo. Phone-As-A-Modem plan, where the answer to whether the 40MB cap applies to handset-only useage in addition to tethered useage depends on which Sprint employee you ask. While it seems obvious to me what the answer SHOULD be, and it's obvious what my brochure SAYS it is, any plan that none of the employees can agree on has the potential to become a billing nightmare. Not to mention that I've seen threads where people claim to have been billed for DUN when they were actually just using the handset. I switched over to the unlimited plan so that I won't have to worry about it.... unlimited is unlimited, so nothing to track, no need to differentiate between tethered and handset data, and no potential overages.

[MrCLoWnY]

Well i got the text message everyone got today.. so I called the rep to see what was up. I was told like everyone else that there is a phone as a modem plan for 40 bucks a month. He said that I will not need to pay the vision and just 40 bucks to use the phone as a modem and phone itself to use the internet.......

He also offered it to me free for the first month. I using it now and plan to down a as much as I can and determine after a month if the 40 dollars justifies the price.. But then again it is only 40 bucks and using my laptop anywhere to surf the web using the phone is pretty cool... :tu:

[stevenmh]

I just got the following from ecare - It doesn't agree with the info that Niklaus posted. I don't believe that the ecare response is correct.

What do I need to ask for to get the $40/mo unlimited data plus unlimited power vision -(is that the same as the ultimate plan?)

Are voice minutes effected at all by the time that we are doing tethering?

.................................................. .....................................
Thank you for contacting Sprint together with Nextel. I will be happy
to assist you regarding Phones as Modems Attachable for EVDO Power
Vision devices.

The details for 40MB of Power Vision Data Attachable Phone as Modem plan
plan for $39.99 are as below:

- Includes 40MB of data
- Must be combined with a primary voice plan on subscription
- $.20 per minute voice overage charges apply
- Overage rate of $.001 per kilobyte
- Overage and MRC capped at $69.99
- One-year Subscriber Agreement Required

To know more about the service plans, please click on the following
hyperlink:
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/NewZipCode.jsp

I'm a little confused on how one would get voice overage charges using a data plan. I thought data didn't come out of voice minutes.

[Flash!]

I'm a little confused on how one would get voice overage charges using a data plan. I thought data didn't come out of voice minutes.

I'm wondering about that also. My F&F plan has voice overage charge of $.10/min, would this plan make it higher?


Also, I'm curious about how SERO works with this plan. Since the $39.99/mo plan includes unlimited Vision, the phone doesn't need a Vision plan anymore right? So if I'm paying $30/mo for SERO that includes Vision (actually PV in my case which should cost $15/mo) would the Phone as Modem plan really only cost me $39.99-$15 each month?

[FishNET]

At that rate I may just drop my Verizon landline entirely. Drop the two landline numbers and DSL.. since my phones faster, but I dont want the cost of BOTH those.

[lgmayka]

I'm a little confused on how one would get voice overage charges using a data plan. I thought data didn't come out of voice minutes.
Could this mean that one could subscribe a phone to the $40 data pack only, with no voice plan? That would be quite an interesting alternative for some people.

[lgmayka]

IYou have unlimited useage of any free Vision features (including the free TV and music channels), unlimited useage of any extra-cost Vision feature you subscribe to, and unlimited tethering to an external device.
Does it include Picture/Video Mail, or must one purchase that separately too?

[vrogers]

I am running into a problem that data might only be unlimited through the "phone as a modem" and not through the phone itself. I.e. downloading 10 Gb through a bluetooth connection is fine, checking movietimes on the phone, not fine. Some other threads are starting to mention this also. Still on hold waiting for a "supervisor."

[stevenmh]

Just got off the phone with Sprint. Fortunately, yesterday's rep didn't follow my instructions and switch my plan immediately, and had it set to change at the beginning of the next billing cycle. I had the rep cancel the change and I'll be staying on the $25/40MB/mo plan for now.

What I was told a few minutes ago was that it is not possible to have both a modem plan and a Vision plan. You can either have Vision and pay $.02/KB for modem use, or have a modem plan and pay $.02/KB for handset use. I explained that my current $25/mo plan specifically states in the brochure I have that it includes the Ultimate Vision Pack. Her response was that there's been some miscommunication regarding the data plans within Sprint and that this information is wrong.

Clearly Sprint doesn't have any idea what's going on. I was told my by local store and a phone rep that the 40MB cap doesn't apply to handset useage. Even if that particular fact is wrong, I still should not be charged $.02/KB for anything so long as combined handset+tethered useage doesn't exceed 40MB/mo. According to today's rep, that's exactly what's happening when I use my handset. I'll believe it when I see it, and if I see it, they'll either waive the charges per my contract or cancel my contract with no ETF.

So bottom line... stay with whatever plan you have now until Sprint gets its act together and posts finalized info on these plans. And Niklaus, while I (and I'm sure everyone else) appreciates you trying to keep the forum users up to date on new Sprint plans, please be careful and certain of your info in the future before posting. I made a switch based specifically on your info, and it would have been terribly unfortunate if yesterday's rep had made the switch effective immediately, and then they wouldn't let me switch back today based on it being an old plan.

[nohbdyshero]

btw...the phone as modem plan is not even on the webiste anymore...only the access, plus and ultimate packs are shown to me anyway

[laursifer]

Does it include Picture/Video Mail, or must one purchase that separately too?

I was wondering the same thing.

[fl00d_pr0z]

According to someone in chat last night, it does NOT include any video or picturemail, that's what he was told when he called.

[laursifer]

According to someone in chat last night, it does NOT include any video or picturemail, that's what he was told when he called.

Well that just sucks. Forget that, then. That's probably another $15 at least, judging from their current pricing tiers.

[vrogers]

I'm thinking 10-15% of the people there (probably one wrong manager) are being told incorrect information (otherwise 85-90% are wrong - and that manager is the only enlightened). Based on another call and verficiation by a tech this is a vision plan that allows you to use your phone-as-a-modem. It does not mention anything about being phone-as-a-modem exclusive, it only requires that you have an ev-do phone that will be used a modem. Guess you can interpret that as being modem exclusive but the fact that this plan cannot be combined with any other vision plan suggests (very strongly) that you have unlimited data through the handset as well.

I have enough to satisfy me that if in fact the supervisor was correct, I can get the charges reversed. When I receive my bill in late Feb. (assuming this isn't resolved before then) I should know for sure what the heck is up with this plan.

BTW: Being a vision plan rather than a data plan corporate discounts should apply. I've always received discounts on vision plans.

[Niklaus]

So bottom line... stay with whatever plan you have now until Sprint gets its act together and posts finalized info on these plans. And Niklaus, while I (and I'm sure everyone else) appreciates you trying to keep the forum users up to date on new Sprint plans, please be careful and certain of your info in the future before posting. I made a switch based specifically on your info, and it would have been terribly unfortunate if yesterday's rep had made the switch effective immediately, and then they wouldn't let me switch back today based on it being an old plan.

I just put in this thread what I found. It was new the day I started this thread.
I'm very careful and certain of the plans I post in the forum. :tu:
You tell me what you get out of the description below--
These are the what's in the system:

39.99 for Unlimited MB of Vision Data Promotion
-promotional attachable phone as modem plan
-includes unlimited data
-must be combined with a primary voice plan on subscription
-$.20 per minute voice overage charges apply
-2yr agreement required
-NVP discount does not apply to data MRC

39.99 for 40MB of vision data
-attachable phone as modem plan
-includes 40MB of data
-must be combined with primary voice plan on subscription
-$.20 per minute voice overage charges apply
-overage rate of $.001 per kilobyte
-overage and MRC capped at $69.99
-minimum 1yr agreement required

49.99 for unlimited MB of vision data
-attachable phone as modem plan
-includes unlimited data
-must be combined with primary voice plan on subscription
-$.20 per minute voice overage charges apply
-minimum 1yr agreement required

This is the EXACT description of what the codes do. :hee:

have a good day :wavey:

[shaown]

Wow, these suck. I can get a free aircard with a 59.99 a month unlimited plan from sprint. No cables, no tying up my phone while I suck, 20 bucks extra a month, but with corp discount, it drops to 45 a month. Why the heck would I do if the 39.99 plan has the caveat NVP discount does not apply to data MRC

Here is the big question, when they shut down EVDO for us grandfathered users, can I still use 1x to connect via cable? I dont' care abt speed, since I only use the data connection during mini emergencies, etc. say once every 2-3 months to check mail at the airport, etc.

[KennyD]

No cables, no tying up my phone while I suck

Did I read that right??

[vrogers]

Notice the second and third plans don't have the supposed NVP exclusion . . . . hummm. The $49.99 plan with discount is less than the $39.99 plan without. Everytime I see these exclusions sometimes they are in effect, sometime they aren't. I had data cards that received the discount (never tried it with the new $59.99 plan).

[Niklaus]

Notice the second and third plans don't have the supposed NVP exclusion . . . . hummm. The $49.99 plan with discount is less than the $39.99 plan without.

:good:
:confused: That's a good point. wonder why that is?

[stevenmh]

I just put in this thread what I found. It was new the day I started this thread.
I'm very careful and certain of the plans I post in the forum. :tu:
You tell me what you get out of the description below--
These are the what's in the system:



First of all, I want to say the following isn't intended to be confrontational. I do appreciate you trying to put the info out there.

The thing is that the thread has gone beyond posting what was found in the database. I made some comments pertaining to a data plan + vision plan. You responded that it was one plan for both. If you were some random poster, I would have ignored it as speculation. Since you appear to be a Sprint employee (I'm assuming this would be the only way to access the database) I gave the statement more credibility.

It was my fault that I called to change my plan and didn't ask the rep to confirm that it covered both tethered data + handset Vision apps. It probably doesn't matter, considering that no two reps seem to give the same answer when it comes to tethering plans. There's no harm done and no hard feelings.

The important thing here is to understand your response. In your last post, are you saying:

(1) it's not your fault that the new unlimited plan turned out to charge $0.02/KB for using Vision apps on the handset, and you were just posting the info.

or

(2) you believe that the new unlimited plan DOES INCLUDE unlimited handset useage and that the rep I spoke with today was wrong.

or

(3) you don't know either way whether the new unlimited plan includes handset useage.

Getting this clarified is all that really matters. Sprint has done a fine job of making a confusing issue out of something that should have been simple. I've considered signing up for Sirius on the phone and just want to know the real monthly cost before I do so. There could literally be a quadruple digit difference between the $7 or $8 subscription fee per month, vs $7 or $8 per month PLUS $0.02/KB while the radio is playing. Even though my tethering is extremely light, the ability to do so without violating TOS is more important to me than playing around with apps on my phone, and I'm perfectly willing to ignore the fact that my phone has multimedia features if Sprint doesn't want to allow me to use them for a reasonable cost. I just don't understand why Sprint can't give me an answer so I can decide and be done with it.

[MrCLoWnY]

(1) it's not your fault that the new unlimited plan turned out to charge $0.02/KB for using Vision apps on the handset, and you were just posting the info.

or

(2) you believe that the new unlimited plan DOES INCLUDE unlimited handset useage and that the rep I spoke with today was wrong.

or

(3) you don't know either way whether the new unlimited plan includes handset useage.




Umm where u getting this info? from the Rep over at Sprint?

[DSDxp]

btw...the phone as modem plan is not even on the webiste anymore...only the access, plus and ultimate packs are shown to me anyway

The plan is still on their site...


http://www.dsdxp.com/phoneasmodem1.gif



When you click on the "Flexible Data Plan for Phone as Modem" link, the following is displayed:



http://www.dsdxp.com/phoneasmodem2.gif

[VcdeChagn]

So let me get this straight?

You can pay 40 bucks a month for a data plan on your phone, or you can add a 6700 to your phones, pay 7.50 a month for power vision..assuming your current phone has power vision...(which on the 6700 includes tethering, based on what I've read on this site) and 10 bucks a month for the phone, get the x% discount on the 17.50 that you wouldn't get on the 40 buck a month plan.

This makes sense how?

[stevenmh]

Umm where u getting this info? from the Rep over at Sprint?

Yes, I called Sprint CS today. She told me there is currently no way to have unlimited tethering plus unlimited handset Vision useage... you can get one or the other unlimited and pay .02/KB for the other.

I just sent an email to CS regarding this, which I will paste below. I will post any response that comes back.

****************************************
I recently joined Sprint after 5 years with Verizon. My primary reason for switching was to be able to purchase a non-crippled Bluetooth phone and sign up for a data plan at a reasonable price. To provide some background on my useage pattern, I have DSL both at home and work. I'm not one of these people trying to use my cell phone as my primary internet connection. My tethering needs are very light. I typically tether my Pocket PC a few times per week to check email or look something up on the internet while away from a PC. I rarely tether my laptop, as I don't travel very often, and even when I do, most hotels nowadays offer internet access. Historically, I have not used any of the multimedia apps with Verizon, but have considered doing so with Sprint.

I currently have the $25-for-40MB/mo plan that maxes out at $70. After a couple weeks of research, it seems that Sprint can't provide a consistent answer on how handset-only useage is billed. I was told in the store and by a phone rep that the 40MB is only for tethered useage, and using the phone by itself for Vision apps doesn't take away from the 40MB. This makes sense, and the brochure I picked up in the store all but comes out and states the same thing. It states that this plan includes the Ultimate Vision Pack, which in turn states that it includes unlimited useage on the handset, so by the commutative property it would seem to indicate that I'm only eating away at my 40MB limit while tethered to an external device. Yet a number of people on internet forums have been told by Sprint reps that the 40MB limit applies to both tethered and handset-only useage.

When you consider my useage pattern, you can see why it's important that I find the correct answer. A road warrior or someone using their phone as their primary internet source is going to max out their plan at $70/mo regardless, so the answer doesn't matter. In my case, my tethered data useage will almost never exceed $25/mo. However, based on my testing, I would max out my plan at $70/mo after just a few hours of listening to music, if the music were in fact counting towards my 40MB limit. I am interested in the Sirius and Live TV features, and don't have a problem paying the monthly subscription fee. However, I am not interested enough to spend $70/mo in addition to the monthly subscription fee for it, so it's important that I understand in advance what my true monthly cost would be for subscribing to and using such a service.

Recently a Sprint employee announced on an internet forum a new set of data plans showing up in the database. One of these is a $40/mo plan for unlimited data when added to a voice plan with a 2-yr contract. I thought that this would solve all my problems, and called yesterday to switch from my $25/mo flexible data plan to the $40/mo unlimited data plan. However, I was told that this would only give me unlimited data while tethering to an external device, and that any handset-only useage would be charged at $0.02/KB. I thought this might mean that I would need to additionally add the $25/mo Ultimate Vision Pack in order to have unlimited useage on the handset as well. However, the rep proceeded to explain that this was not possible even if I was willing to pay that much. According to this rep, it is not possible at this time to have both a Vision plan and phone-as-a-modem plan. I explained that the $25/mo plan states in writing that it includes the Ultimate Vision Pack. She responded that there has been miscommunication within Sprint regarding the data plans and that the brochure is incorrect. She explained that I can either have a phone-as-a-modem plan and pay $.02/KB for any handset Vision useage or I can have a Vision plan and pay $.02/KB for any tethered useage.

This really doesn't make any sense, but I'm not interested in risking a quadruple-digit bill to prove it wrong. If what this rep is telling me is true, then anyone with a phone-as-a-modem plan might as well pretend that their phone has no multimedia features. Using the phone just a few times per month to check weather or movie times would be cost prohibitive. Using the phone for Sirius or Sprint TV would generate a bill so obscene that the recipient would probably have a stroke. Naturally, I decided not to switch my modem plan at this time, and am holding off on ordering any extra-cost media services until I can verify whether or not Sprint will actually allow me to use them at a reasonable cost.

Another factor I don't understand about these new plans is the $.20/min voice overage charges. I asked the rep how data useage can cause a voice overage. She was unable to provide an answer. Does this mean that while using the phone for data during peak hours on these new plans, either by itself or tethered to an external device, it is using up voice minutes from my plan?

Please take my questions as high up the chain as necessary to get a definitive answer. Please make it clear that having the ability to tether my Pocket PC and, on rare occassions, my laptop, to my phone without violating my Terms of Service is important to me... more important than playing around with media features. If necessary, I will use my phone as a phone and modem, nothing more, and ignore the other capabilities. I can live without the multimedia features if Sprint can live without the extra revenue from the extra-cost applications that I may choose to subscribe to. I will not be subscribing to an extra features whatsoever unless and until I am convinced that the actual use of these features in conjunction with a phone-as-a-modem plan will not result in a $1000 bill for watching TV or listening to music on my phone.

I hope that this can be resolved quickly so that I can begin enjoying some of the multimedia capabilities of my new phone. I am not looking to abuse the Vision network or use it as my primary internet source, and the ability of the new EV-DO phones to distinguish tethered useage will bear this out. I just want to be able to use the features of my new phone, and am perfectly willing to pay extra for these features... within reason.

[vrogers]

:waycool: Eloquently written. Lets hope the response is the same.

From what I have heard is that common sense has prevailed and the few that were saying there would be two types of usage calculations for this plan were wrong.

In addition, for those that do have an NVP discount greater than 20% I would suggest opting for the non-promotional $49.99/mo that takes advantage of the discount.

[jedij13]

I have aslo contacted CS and confirm what 'StevenMH' has stated. I also had to cancell my power vision plus ($20/m) in order to switch over, not in addition, to the 'phone as a modem' ($40/m) with no multimedia.

[stevenmh]

Here's the response:

************************************************** **

Dear Steven,

Thank you for writing back to us.

I checked the account records and found that you have already interacted with our specialists.

If you have any other question regarding this matter, I request you to contact us at 1-888-211-4727. One of our specialists will provide you complete information regardin this matter.

I would have loved to do more for a valued customer like you. However, I am sure you will understand that we are unable to provide technical assistance via email.

Eagerly waiting for your call.

************************************************** ***

I'm not sure how to even begin to respond to this. Words are failing me.

[hazlgreen]

My god, I'm constantly reminded of why I spend as little time as possible either in Sprint stores, or communication with customer service/tech support. I get a great signal where I live with Sprint, and the price is not obscene, but the overall people service leaves so much to wish for in terms of improvement.

Stevenmh, we're all with you on this one. Sprint is dropping the ball...

[MrCLoWnY]

Yes, I called Sprint CS today. She told me there is currently no way to have unlimited tethering plus unlimited handset Vision useage... you can get one or the other unlimited and pay .02/KB for the other.




Well that is weird because I did cll the Sprint CS twice and talked to two different reps and both confirmed that the 40 phone as a modem plan includes internet usage on the phone as well. So Im going to use my phone to go online and use it as a modem. I realized in the past month that those CS reps really do not provide really good information....

For example I had a heck of a time upgrading my firmware around december. I called and spoke to a tech and she told me that she will need to reset my VIsion account and I should be on my way in about 4 hrs.. 4 hrs goes by and of course it didn't work.

So the next day I held on the phone for 40 minutes and talked to a different rep.. She claimed that the new firmaware was blowing up phones and therefore was taken off and that is the reason why I coudln't upgrade. I was like um.. ok..

WEll the next day I tried it again and what do you know my phone upgrades.... I was thining to myself gosh those CS reps really know what they are talking about...

So this is my take on this.. A rep tells me it's free then Im going to take their word for it. If they mess up my bill I'll just call and hold for 30 minutes and have them take it off .... SO im leaving it at that.

[hazlgreen]

The plan is still on their site...


http://www.dsdxp.com/phoneasmodem1.gif



When you click on the "Flexible Data Plan for Phone as Modem" link, the following is displayed:



http://www.dsdxp.com/phoneasmodem2.gif


How do you get to that page? I haven't been able to...

[the2ndflood]

The plan is still on their site...


http://www.dsdxp.com/phoneasmodem2.gif

It is a very good price, but I would not want to cause any problems. Seeing as I use lots and lots of bandwidth from my DSL connection.

[stevenmh]

The modem plan info on the website differs greatly from what is in the brochure I picked up in the store. Not to mention that it makes absolutely no sense.

Let's look at the ad in detail. First it talks about using Sprint POWER VISION phones as a modem. It advertises the modem plan including Sprint TV... a POWER VISION application. It says that if I don't have a POWER VISION plan, then I'll be charged $0.02/KB for data. Then in the fine print, it states that POWER VISION plans aren't available for any device that can be used as a modem. So... which is it? If a modem-capable phone can't have a POWER VISION plan, then it wouldn't be a POWER VISION phone, would it? You wouldn't be able to watch TV on it, would you? You can't threated me with overages for not having a plan that's not available to me, can you? We already know the real answer... try buying a modern EVDO capable phone and NOT having them push you to add a Power Vision plan. I know they signed me up for the $20 Power Vision plan when I bought my A900. There's no question that any modem-capable phone can have a Power Vision plan added. In fact, there are countless people out there using these very plans for modem access instead of getting on a modem plan. The ad posted on the website is just plain incorrect, and so blatantly so that it's worthless as a source of reliable information.

I'm starting to wonder about Sprint's credibility. I mean, setting aside that no two Sprint employees can agree on the terms of the data plans, couldn't somebody have looked at the modem plan info being placed on the website and recognized that it was oxymoronic? Couldn't the webmaster have broken his lemming routine? Couldn't he have called someone and said "We can't post this. It's embarrasing. A well-trained ape could have done a better job of proof-reading this material and it would reflect poorly on Sprint as a company for this ever to be made public."

[stevenmh]

All right, I'm giving Sprint eCare one more shot at this. I will post the response when/if I receive it.

******************************************

This response is asinine and unacceptable. Let us try again.

I am not asking you to provide technical assistance via email. Nowhere in my email do I mention a technical problem. My hardware is working fine. My hardware's software is working fine. My local cellular towers and the signals being provided are working fine.

I am asking you to provide information and pricing on your modem plans and on your radio and TV add-ons. There is no point in me calling again, because every time I call, I get a different answer. I want someone to take the time to research this and provide a definitive, correct response. If you do not know the answer, then get up out of your chair and go find someone who does.

The alternative is for me to post this email thread as an open letter to Sprint in some very public places on the internet. When the negative exposure reaches the attention of upper management, perhaps they will be able to find someone to answer my simple questions, and while they are at it, perhaps they will investigate why certain customer service representatives are unwilling to provide customer service.

[DSDxp]

How do you get to that page? I haven't been able to...

You have to actually start signing up for a service plan on their website, you will eventually see this as an add-on option.

[stevenmh]

*sigh*

*********************************************

Thank you for contacting Sprint together with Nextel. I will be happy
to assist you regarding your concern.

I am extremely sorry to state that we at eCare can address only account
related and basic technical concerns of PCS mobile services. I
sincerely apologize that I am unable to asisst you in this regard. If
that would have been under my authority and work area, I would have
definitely helped you out.

To save time and help you get a direct resolution, I would like to
provide a direct number to the concerned department.

I request you to contact our customer care specialist by dialing
1-888-211-4727 from a landline phone. Our specialists will be glad to
assist you.

I assure you that we, at eCare, redirect our customers to Customer
Support only for those concerns which can be resolved effectively
through a verbal interaction. Otherwise, we do our best to resolve the
concerns in the best possible way.

I hope you will understand my limitations.

Thank you for your continued support and contacting Sprint eCare.

Please let me know if you have any further questions any regard. I will
be honored to asisst you.

******************************************

I particularly like the "direct number to the concerned department." (For those who don't know, the number he provided is the main customer service number.)

[hazlgreen]

You have to actually start signing up for a service plan on their website, you will eventually see this as an add-on option.

I went to the place on the website to change my plan (to see if it was there), and didn't find it.

That's why I posted the question.

Now I'm really confused

[hazlgreen]

*sigh*

*********************************************

Thank you for contacting Sprint together with Nextel. I will be happy
to assist you regarding your concern.

I am extremely sorry to state that we at eCare can address only account
related and basic technical concerns of PCS mobile services. I
sincerely apologize that I am unable to asisst you in this regard. If
that would have been under my authority and work area, I would have
definitely helped you out.

To save time and help you get a direct resolution, I would like to
provide a direct number to the concerned department.

I request you to contact our customer care specialist by dialing
1-888-211-4727 from a landline phone. Our specialists will be glad to
assist you.

I assure you that we, at eCare, redirect our customers to Customer
Support only for those concerns which can be resolved effectively
through a verbal interaction. Otherwise, we do our best to resolve the
concerns in the best possible way.

I hope you will understand my limitations.

Thank you for your continued support and contacting Sprint eCare.

Please let me know if you have any further questions any regard. I will
be honored to asisst you.

******************************************

I particularly like the "direct number to the concerned department." (For those who don't know, the number he provided is the main customer service number.)

I got a good chuckle from that. CS at its best!!! How pathetic

[vrogers]

I find it discomforting that Sprint customer service refuses to provide anything (of a legal nature) in writing. Clarification of the TOS or of the limitations of their plans should not require this much effort, and as previously mentioned verbal interaction yields different results.

For example in the case where I spoke with CS Supervisor Irene, she refused to provide me anything in writing. All I requested was the terms she was reading to me in a simple email. In addition, none of the people I spoke with after her (refuting her claims that either 2 plans would be required or I would be charged 0.02/kb for either phone or phone-as-modem usage) were willing to provide their refute in writing.

Perhaps their legal department has something to do with it, but what am I expected to do when answers through verbal interaction are so inconsistent. I doubt that they would be willing to simply take my word for it, if a dispute arises; this doesn't mean that I probably wouldn't get the item corrected, but I doubt they would place blame on any of their employees. They would more than likely consider it customer error, and as a matter of customer service correct the item (rather than the issue).

This leads me to consider recording any conversation I have with them of this nature. I wonder how'll they'll react to that.

[GigaTigga]

Did i read right that if i have the unlimited phone as modem plan, i will have to pay for data usage if i use, say mini opera? Thats not what i was told... *waits for his bill and prepares to call* :fingers: :irked:

[MrCLoWnY]

Did i read right that if i have the unlimited phone as modem plan, i will have to pay for data usage if i use, say mini opera? Thats not what i was told... *waits for his bill and prepares to call* :fingers: :irked:


Im in the same boat as you... :fingers:

[stevenmh]

Did i read right that if i have the unlimited phone as modem plan, i will have to pay for data usage if i use, say mini opera? Thats not what i was told... *waits for his bill and prepares to call* :fingers: :irked:

That's what SOME reps are saying. Others say that unlimited handset-only useage is included in the plan... at least when I was asking about the $25/mo flexible modem plan.

In my case, I have a BT Pocket PC on me at all times, so I'm not going to be browsing the web on the phone itself. As far as a quick weather or movie time check, it might be handy to be able to do it on the handset, but I can do it on the Pocket PC just as well if needed. There's a Sirius player for Pocket PC that would probably be better than Sprint's offering. The only thing I haven't seen for the Pocket PC would be the ability to stream live TV with the device connected to the internet via the phone, but I would imagine MobiTV is working on that as we speak. So what it boils down to is that anything I want to do I can do, and it's the same amount of data whether I download it directly to my handset or to my Pocket PC *thru* my handset, so it would be totally illogical for Sprint to make one manner of access unlimited and another manner of access $0.02/KB. The biggest difference is that if I'm using my Pocket PC I'm paying someone else for the software, and if I'm using the handset I'm paying Sprint for the subscription, so they'd only be hurting themselves if they make Vision applications cost prohibitive to me. Sadly, the use of logic appears to have no bearing on the situation, so we'll just have to see how it pans out.

[GigaTigga]

Well i just went over to verizon, and they have unlimited DATA (why the heck doesn't sprint think they can change the definition of a word at will), for the same price i'm paying sprint, and none of the hassle/worry.

I'm tempted i say, i'm tempted!

[stevenmh]

Except it's against Verizon's TOS to use ANY EV-DO capable phone as a modem. There is no plan for this, and the BT phones are crippled accordingly. Unlimited data with Verizon means laptop aircard.

I switched from Verizon to Sprint a few weeks ago after 5 yrs with Verizon, and made the switch specifically because I was tired of being told what I *can't* do with my phone. Trust me, when it comes to using your phone as a modem, Verizon is not where you want to be.

[GigaTigga]

A. if you think sprint lets you do what you want with your phone, you're in the wrong place.

B. According to the TOS that i was provided with, that with the "Core Choice" data plan, the "tethering" option is included.

I'd like to talk to you after a few months of being with sprint, after they cut off all phone-as-modem unless you have a phone-as-modem plan, and then you get to pay .02 cents a k for using your phone. That to me doesn't seem like sprints letting me do what i want with my phone. :mad:

[vrogers]

A. if you think sprint lets you do what you want with your phone, you're in the wrong place.

B. According to the TOS that i was provided with, that with the "Core Choice" data plan, the "tethering" option is included.

I'd like to talk to you after a few months of being with sprint, after they cut off all phone-as-modem unless you have a phone-as-modem plan, and then you get to pay .02 cents a k for using your phone. That to me doesn't seem like sprints letting me do what i want with my phone. :mad:

Not sure how long you've been with Sprint, but when it comes to data usage they have been very forgiving. Only until the last 6 months, with the EV-DO, rollout have they starting caring if you use your phone as a modem; even then occassional use wouldnt call any attention to yourself. There is speculation this (small modem usage for free) is about to change now that modem plans are being offered; while it isn't free, the tradeoff is you are getting broadband.

Everything during the past 6 months shows that Sprint is attempting to emerge as a wireless internet solution. While your guess would be normally as good as mine, speculating that Sprint is going to drop the modem plans is a bit of a stretch. And while it is true some phones do not allow phone-as-modem, there have always been phones that do (i.e. Samsung).

[stevenmh]

A. if you think sprint lets you do what you want with your phone, you're in the wrong place.

B. According to the TOS that i was provided with, that with the "Core Choice" data plan, the "tethering" option is included.

I'd like to talk to you after a few months of being with sprint, after they cut off all phone-as-modem unless you have a phone-as-modem plan, and then you get to pay .02 cents a k for using your phone. That to me doesn't seem like sprints letting me do what i want with my phone. :mad:


What's up with the hostility? Let me preface this response by saying I could care less who your cellular provider is. I have no love for either Sprint or VZW. The past couple weeks I've felt as is I'm choosing between the lesser of two evils. I'm giving you some free advice as someone who just left Verizon specifically because of the inability to continue tethering. Take it as you will. Your final choice makes no difference to me.

Having said that, it sounds like we're talking about two different things... and on two differrent levels.

First, it seems we're talking about getting tethering for free vs getting tethering on a paid modem plan. I've been on a modem plan since the day I joined Sprint, so if they cut off all tethering for those not on a modem plan, I'm not affected. If you're willing to join a modem plan with VZW, I don't see why you would compare that to not being able to get tethering for free with Sprint instead of comparing it to Sprint's data plan offerings.

Second, the 'core choice' plan is not a phone-as-a-modem plan. It's a plan specific to the Blackberry. The Blackberry is not an EVDO/VCAST capable device, and that is why you are allowed to tether with it. Any phones that can only operate at National Access/Express Network speeds can still be tethering without violating VZW's TOS. I've been tethering for the past 5 years using nothing but the $5 Mobile Web add-on, starting with a StarTAC and cable up through the v710 via BT.

The reason I left VZW is not because I woke up one day with a feeling of undying loyalty towards Sprint. It's because the v710 is the LAST BT phone that I can ever use on VZW's network and still be allowed to tether. Do a search for 'bluetooth' in the box on the main VZW page. Go to the BT FAQ, follow it to the tethering question, follow the link to the chart. It spells it out. Tethering isn't allowed on EVDO phones. The e815 is not allowed. BT DUN is disabled out of the box. It's easily re-enabled, but VZW caught on with the RAZR. At the time I left, it had been found that the RAZR could be tethered with a WinXP device by changing a certain setting under networking. This setting is not available on Windows Mobile devices, however, and so it would not have worked for me at all. I actually had this phone en route to me on a New Every 2 upgrade, which would have taken me out of my monthly status and locked me into a new 2 year contract. Good thing I found the info on Howard Forums before it arrived and I was able to return it unopened and cancel my service. Otherwise I would have been forced to spend the next two years with the v710. If it died, I'd have had to buy a used one. If I couldn't find a used one, I'd have had to take a step backwards in time and buy a non-BT non-EVDO phone and tether to my Pocket PC with a cable. Right.

What I'm telling you is that there is not even the option to spend an unreasonable amount of money with VZW for a phone-as-a-modem plan using an EVDO phone. It doesn't matter if you don't even live in an EVDO area. EVDO phones are not allowed to tether, period. They are making it harder to hack the phones to force it to work. Even if you're successful in hacking it, they're improving their system to detect it and serve you an ETF. If you only care about the Blackberry, then you're OK. If you want your data via laptop with air card, you're OK. If you're fine with buying a low-end non-EVDO phone and tethering your laptop via cable, you're OK.... at least for now. How long will it be before EVDO becomes like Vision and you simply can't buy a phone without it? And BT DUN is only ONE of the BT profiles that VZW is crippling. I can't tell you how disgruntled I was when I bought my v710 and then had to go buy a $30 software/cable package to transfer my contacts when I should have been able to do it wirelessly for free.

As of now I have a totally functional BT phone. I transferred all my contacts from my Pocket PC in minutes. Transferring files is a piece of cake. BT DUN works out of the box and I'm not violating any TOS. Sprint isn't perfect, and far from it from what I've seen the past couple weeks, but for what I want to do with my Pocket PC and phone, it's not only a better option than VZW, it's the only option. VZW no longer markets cellular phones to working adults. They market mobile entertainment devices to pre-teens. They're so afraid that someone might transfer a ringtone to their device at no extra cost that their business model no longer applies to me.

[the2ndflood]

A. if you think sprint lets you do what you want with your phone, you're in the wrong place.

B. According to the TOS that i was provided with, that with the "Core Choice" data plan, the "tethering" option is included.

I'd like to talk to you after a few months of being with sprint, after they cut off all phone-as-modem unless you have a phone-as-modem plan, and then you get to pay .02 cents a k for using your phone. That to me doesn't seem like sprints letting me do what i want with my phone. :mad:

According to http://kb.pcsintel.com/index.php?title=Sprint_FAQ you can use your phone as a modem with the normal Visions plans, as long as it is under 500MB's a month. Which is more then enough for web surfing and e-mail's. Just not for file sharing. Sprint seems to let customers do this, just don't go crazy with it.

[CDMAisGOD]

According to http://kb.pcsintel.com/index.php?title=Sprint_FAQ you can use your phone as a modem with the normal Visions plans, as long as it is under 500MB's a month. Which is more then enough for web surfing and e-mail's. Just not for file sharing. Sprint seems to let customers do this, just don't go crazy with it.


You are correct. Sprint is the only company that allows their customers to use this feature. As long as they are not abusing it. I do not know the exceptable data numbers but 500 megabytes does sound right. Anything more would require a modem data plan.

Sprint has a lot of these underground and widely know features that no other carrier offers. So yes , Sprint does allow more features use out of your phones then Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile, Alltel, and on. Just don't abuse them and ruin it for the rest of us.

[hewlpac]

You are correct. Sprint is the only company that allows their customers to use this feature. As long as they are not abusing it. I do not know the exceptable data numbers but 500 megabytes does sound right. Anything more would require a modem data plan.

Sprint has a lot of these underground and widely know features that no other carrier offers. So yes , Sprint does allow more features use out of your phones then Verizon, Cingular, T-Mobile, Alltel, and on. Just don't abuse them and ruin it for the rest of us.


Great lets summarize tethering -

Verizon - no go

Sprint - OK but chance very high bills...

TMobile - Tether to your hearts content without worry no extra charge

Take your pick.....

[the2ndflood]

Great lets summarize tethering -

Verizon - no go

Sprint - OK but chance very high bills...

TMobile - Tether to your hearts content without worry no extra charge

Take your pick.....

That is not true. I have never know of anyone tethering a T-Mobile phone to a laptop and getting any decent speeds.

[nohbdyshero]

That is not true. I have never know of anyone tethering a T-Mobile phone to a laptop and getting any decent speeds.
trust me you don't I did the network testing for it

[the2ndflood]

trust me you don't I did the network testing for it

Did you mean that it can not be done, or that it can be done because you tested it?

[nohbdyshero]

Did you mean that it can not be done, or that it can be done because you tested it?
no that the speeds are crap

[the2ndflood]

no that the speeds are crap

That's what I thought you meant.

[Andres]

According to http://kb.pcsintel.com/index.php?title=Sprint_FAQ you can use your phone as a modem with the normal Visions plans, as long as it is under 500MB's a month. Which is more then enough for web surfing and e-mail's. Just not for file sharing. Sprint seems to let customers do this, just don't go crazy with it.
Thanks for the link to the FAQ, looks nice.

One observation though... even though it states that 500MB might be the limit that triggers a call from Sprint about unfair usage, it also states "Power Vision [phones] are currently adding support for sensing tethering (the Samsung A940, Sanyo 9000, and PPC-6700 currently do not however), and will require you to switch automatically to a phone-as-modem plan."

Seems like a bummer to me as an A900 owner, since that makes it sound like the threshold is 0MB, not 500MB, for my phone.

Side question -- anyone know the accuracy of this FAQ?

[lgmayka]

no that the speeds are crap
You mean that tethered Internet access through EDGE is slower than expected?

http://t809.blogspot.com/2006/01/what-is-t-mobiles-edge-cellular.html

I hope you're not merely referring to the now-obsolete GPRS.

EDIT: Here's more information on tethering with EDGE on T-Mobile:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=713383

[stevenmh]

According to http://kb.pcsintel.com/index.php?title=Sprint_FAQ you can use your phone as a modem with the normal Visions plans, as long as it is under 500MB's a month. Which is more then enough for web surfing and e-mail's. Just not for file sharing. Sprint seems to let customers do this, just don't go crazy with it.


That doesn't look like an official FAQ. I don't doubt that it was accurate at some point. It's a well known fact that both VZW and Sprint have allowed casual tethering as long as it was not abused. But with the introduction of EVDO/VCAST, they've both initiated ways to track tethering and make it against TOS. In Sprint's case, without a modem plan. In VZW's case, under any conditions.

I think the whole point of Sprint introducing modem plans and sending out the text message is to say that casual useage is no longer OK. I would disregard the info in the FAQ as outdated and not risk tethering without a plan.

[GigaTigga]

What's up with the hostility? Let me preface this response by saying I could care less who your cellular provider is. I have no love for either Sprint or VZW. The past couple weeks I've felt as is I'm choosing between the lesser of two evils. I'm giving you some free advice as someone who just left Verizon specifically because of the inability to continue tethering. Take it as you will. Your final choice makes no difference to me.

Having said that, it sounds like we're talking about two different things... and on two differrent levels.

First, it seems we're talking about getting tethering for free vs getting tethering on a paid modem plan. I've been on a modem plan since the day I joined Sprint, so if they cut off all tethering for those not on a modem plan, I'm not affected. If you're willing to join a modem plan with VZW, I don't see why you would compare that to not being able to get tethering for free with Sprint instead of comparing it to Sprint's data plan offerings.

Second, the 'core choice' plan is not a phone-as-a-modem plan. It's a plan specific to the Blackberry. The Blackberry is not an EVDO/VCAST capable device, and that is why you are allowed to tether with it. Any phones that can only operate at National Access/Express Network speeds can still be tethering without violating VZW's TOS. I've been tethering for the past 5 years using nothing but the $5 Mobile Web add-on, starting with a StarTAC and cable up through the v710 via BT.

The reason I left VZW is not because I woke up one day with a feeling of undying loyalty towards Sprint. It's because the v710 is the LAST BT phone that I can ever use on VZW's network and still be allowed to tether. Do a search for 'bluetooth' in the box on the main VZW page. Go to the BT FAQ, follow it to the tethering question, follow the link to the chart. It spells it out. Tethering isn't allowed on EVDO phones. The e815 is not allowed. BT DUN is disabled out of the box. It's easily re-enabled, but VZW caught on with the RAZR. At the time I left, it had been found that the RAZR could be tethered with a WinXP device by changing a certain setting under networking. This setting is not available on Windows Mobile devices, however, and so it would not have worked for me at all. I actually had this phone en route to me on a New Every 2 upgrade, which would have taken me out of my monthly status and locked me into a new 2 year contract. Good thing I found the info on Howard Forums before it arrived and I was able to return it unopened and cancel my service. Otherwise I would have been forced to spend the next two years with the v710. If it died, I'd have had to buy a used one. If I couldn't find a used one, I'd have had to take a step backwards in time and buy a non-BT non-EVDO phone and tether to my Pocket PC with a cable. Right.

What I'm telling you is that there is not even the option to spend an unreasonable amount of money with VZW for a phone-as-a-modem plan using an EVDO phone. It doesn't matter if you don't even live in an EVDO area. EVDO phones are not allowed to tether, period. They are making it harder to hack the phones to force it to work. Even if you're successful in hacking it, they're improving their system to detect it and serve you an ETF. If you only care about the Blackberry, then you're OK. If you want your data via laptop with air card, you're OK. If you're fine with buying a low-end non-EVDO phone and tethering your laptop via cable, you're OK.... at least for now. How long will it be before EVDO becomes like Vision and you simply can't buy a phone without it? And BT DUN is only ONE of the BT profiles that VZW is crippling. I can't tell you how disgruntled I was when I bought my v710 and then had to go buy a $30 software/cable package to transfer my contacts when I should have been able to do it wirelessly for free.

As of now I have a totally functional BT phone. I transferred all my contacts from my Pocket PC in minutes. Transferring files is a piece of cake. BT DUN works out of the box and I'm not violating any TOS. Sprint isn't perfect, and far from it from what I've seen the past couple weeks, but for what I want to do with my Pocket PC and phone, it's not only a better option than VZW, it's the only option. VZW no longer markets cellular phones to working adults. They market mobile entertainment devices to pre-teens. They're so afraid that someone might transfer a ringtone to their device at no extra cost that their business model no longer applies to me.

I didn't mean to seem hostile, if i did, i'm sorry for that.

I appreciate any information anyone has because with big ol' companies like sprint, verizion, etc, the only people the customers have on their side, are the other customers.

But here is how it went for me.

I got sprint back in june, with the treo650. I was told hat i could use it as a modem if i could figure out how to do it. I did this from june until i got my a900 on in december.

When i got my a900 in december, i was told the same thing, "if you know how to do it, you'll be fine". Mind you, all i had was the basic vision plan.

So, just a week or so ago, i get the text message "you need a phone as modem plan please call". So i call. I get put on the 39.99 unlimited tehtering plan and was told that would take care of everything.

Just yeterday i get my bill, 30.86 worth of "casual vision".

So its not that i'm not willing to pay, its that sprint wont let me! They said i can't have the unlimited tethering and unlimited vision, the computers won't let them do it. I get one or the other.

So i'm still talking back and fourth.

As far and vzw. i went in and got the xv6700. Was told it could be used as a modem. get home, its locked, but, found out how to unlock it. Called vzw asked them if i could use it as a modem, they say "if you can do it". This time i wasn't beating around the bush, i said "so if i get this done, and use 20 gigabytes a month, i'm covered?" their answer "yes".

I'm on the core choice, which includes 450 at minutes and "unlimited" data.

If sprint would come around and quit being jerks about using the web browser on the phone, i wouldn't worry about switching, but i'm not going to pay anymore than 39.99 to sprint when i don't have to pay anymore than that to vzw.

I'm still in contact with email support, so i'll post anything new i find out.

[stevenmh]

I didn't mean to seem hostile, if i did, i'm sorry for that.

I appreciate any information anyone has because with big ol' companies like sprint, verizion, etc, the only people the customers have on their side, are the other customers.

But here is how it went for me.

I got sprint back in june, with the treo650. I was told hat i could use it as a modem if i could figure out how to do it. I did this from june until i got my a900 on in december.

When i got my a900 in december, i was told the same thing, "if you know how to do it, you'll be fine". Mind you, all i had was the basic vision plan.

So, just a week or so ago, i get the text message "you need a phone as modem plan please call". So i call. I get put on the 39.99 unlimited tehtering plan and was told that would take care of everything.

Just yeterday i get my bill, 30.86 worth of "casual vision".

So its not that i'm not willing to pay, its that sprint wont let me! They said i can't have the unlimited tethering and unlimited vision, the computers won't let them do it. I get one or the other.

So i'm still talking back and fourth.

As far and vzw. i went in and got the xv6700. Was told it could be used as a modem. get home, its locked, but, found out how to unlock it. Called vzw asked them if i could use it as a modem, they say "if you can do it". This time i wasn't beating around the bush, i said "so if i get this done, and use 20 gigabytes a month, i'm covered?" their answer "yes".

I'm on the core choice, which includes 450 at minutes and "unlimited" data.

If sprint would come around and quit being jerks about using the web browser on the phone, i wouldn't worry about switching, but i'm not going to pay anymore than 39.99 to sprint when i don't have to pay anymore than that to vzw.

I'm still in contact with email support, so i'll post anything new i find out.

It sounds like your rep is saying the same thing mine was. But I wonder how that affects the $25/mo flexible data plan, if at all.

It's downright stupid they'll give you unlimited tethering on a laptop but not let that include handset-only useage. If I end up having to switch from the $25/mo to $40/mo plan to be able to tether, and not be able to use Vision, I'll be inclined to plug my phone and Pocket PC in on the nightstand, connect the Pocket PC to the internet via the phone, fire up some streaming music, turn the volume down to zero, and go to bed. Every night. For the remainder of my 2-year contract.

[GigaTigga]

Thats exactly what i was thinking :)

[hazlgreen]

I didn't mean to seem hostile, if i did, i'm sorry for that.

I appreciate any information anyone has because with big ol' companies like sprint, verizion, etc, the only people the customers have on their side, are the other customers.

But here is how it went for me.

I got sprint back in june, with the treo650. I was told hat i could use it as a modem if i could figure out how to do it. I did this from june until i got my a900 on in december.

When i got my a900 in december, i was told the same thing, "if you know how to do it, you'll be fine". Mind you, all i had was the basic vision plan.

So, just a week or so ago, i get the text message "you need a phone as modem plan please call". So i call. I get put on the 39.99 unlimited tehtering plan and was told that would take care of everything.

Just yeterday i get my bill, 30.86 worth of "casual vision".

So its not that i'm not willing to pay, its that sprint wont let me! They said i can't have the unlimited tethering and unlimited vision, the computers won't let them do it. I get one or the other.

So i'm still talking back and fourth.

As far and vzw. i went in and got the xv6700. Was told it could be used as a modem. get home, its locked, but, found out how to unlock it. Called vzw asked them if i could use it as a modem, they say "if you can do it". This time i wasn't beating around the bush, i said "so if i get this done, and use 20 gigabytes a month, i'm covered?" their answer "yes".

I'm on the core choice, which includes 450 at minutes and "unlimited" data.

If sprint would come around and quit being jerks about using the web browser on the phone, i wouldn't worry about switching, but i'm not going to pay anymore than 39.99 to sprint when i don't have to pay anymore than that to vzw.

I'm still in contact with email support, so i'll post anything new i find out.

Wait a sec, VZW is cool with tethering? Maybe it is time for me to move on from Sprint?

[GigaTigga]

They told me they were.

But i just had it confirmed. The phone-as-modem unlimited plan with sprint for 39.99 DOES include vision. Its in their brochure. So if they try to pull a fast one on me, i've got something in their writing to back me up.

[the2ndflood]

Wait a sec, VZW is cool with tethering? Maybe it is time for me to move on from Sprint?\\

No, Verizon is not cool with it. Their phones do not even have these types of features in them to act like a modem.

[stevenmh]

Do you have a copy of the brochure? If so, can you scan it in?

Not that I doubt you, but I'd be interested in seeing their exact wording. It seems like Sprint throws the term "Vision Data" around kind of loosely. With respect to the modem plans, they could be intending to say unlimited data over the Vision network, and giving people the idea that it includes unlimited Vision useage from the handset. I'm not saying it's logical or excusable. I'm just saying that a brochure written by clowns may not mean much.

Besides, didn't you say you signed up for the unlimited plan, but got charged casual useage for using the handset? Have you tried to dispute the charges with the brochure?

[mstbone67a]

I was told that with the SERO plan I have unlimited power vision. I asked 2 different times while on the call when them.. This means I can tether/use my phone as a modem Correct. "yep" was the answer both times.

speeds are good on my a900 :clap:

[DSDxp]

Verizon is definitely not OK with tethering unless you have a plan for it just like Sprint. I got the following email from them when I inquired about it:


Thank you for contacting our Verizon Wireless website. We are happy to assist you with your Broadband Access capable handset question.

The Mobile Office Kit contains software and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable to connect the handset to your laptop. It will allow you to access the Internet using your handset as a wireless modem. We currently have three mobile devices that can be used as Broadband Access tethered modems. Please see below for your options:

1. LG VX8100
2. LG VX9800
3. Motorola Razr V3c

In order to use the above listed devices as tethered modems you will be requires to have the following:

1. Mobile Office Kit
2. VZAccess Manger - VZAccess software must be installed on your PC and configured. (This software will be supplied with Mobile Office Kit)
3. Tethered access feature added to your account. - This feature allows you to use a Broadband Access capable handset as a tethered modem and to access the Internet on your PC. The price for this feature is listed below:

- Unlimited Tethered Broadband Access for $59.99 per month

With the Verizon Wireless Worry Free Guarantee, your satisfaction is guaranteed for 15 days on any equipment you purchase from us. You pay only for the service, airtime, toll and roaming you have used. If for any reason you are not satisfied, you may return your purchase within 15 days.

If you have further questions or concerns, please write to us again through www.VerizonWireless.com (http://www.verizonwireless.com/). We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless.

Sincerely,

Rose
Verizon Wireless
Data Technical Support

[GigaTigga]

Do you have a copy of the brochure? If so, can you scan it in?

Not that I doubt you, but I'd be interested in seeing their exact wording. It seems like Sprint throws the term "Vision Data" around kind of loosely. With respect to the modem plans, they could be intending to say unlimited data over the Vision network, and giving people the idea that it includes unlimited Vision useage from the handset. I'm not saying it's logical or excusable. I'm just saying that a brochure written by clowns may not mean much.

Besides, didn't you say you signed up for the unlimited plan, but got charged casual useage for using the handset? Have you tried to dispute the charges with the brochure?

I will try to find a way to scan it, my main machine went in for service, so i'm stuck using the multiple back up machines to get the job done of my main one so i'm not sure if i still have the drivers (or the scanner for that matter lol).

But the way its worded it definatly sounds like its included.

My email from customer care says it is, and the people at the branch location say it is.

I haven't gotten my invoice for this month to see if i have been charged specifically for that. The way i /think/ i was is that i rarely use data on the phone, and one day i did, say on 1/20 my "used credit" was 0.00, then i used the browser on the phone briefly and i look and now i have 3.76 of "used credit". I just assumed that would be what it was, since everyone was saying a charge may be possible, and i couldn't think of anything else i'd be being charged for.

When my invoice posts, i'll look it over and make dang sure i'm not being charged.

In the mean time, i'll look for the scanner and try to upload the brochure.

[GigaTigga]

Verizon is definitely not OK with tethering unless you have a plan for it just like Sprint. I got the following email from them when I inquired about it:


Thank you for contacting our Verizon Wireless website. We are happy to assist you with your Broadband Access capable handset question.

The Mobile Office Kit contains software and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable to connect the handset to your laptop. It will allow you to access the Internet using your handset as a wireless modem. We currently have three mobile devices that can be used as Broadband Access tethered modems. Please see below for your options:

1. LG VX8100
2. LG VX9800
3. Motorola Razr V3c

In order to use the above listed devices as tethered modems you will be requires to have the following:

1. Mobile Office Kit
2. VZAccess Manger - VZAccess software must be installed on your PC and configured. (This software will be supplied with Mobile Office Kit)
3. Tethered access feature added to your account. - This feature allows you to use a Broadband Access capable handset as a tethered modem and to access the Internet on your PC. The price for this feature is listed below:

- Unlimited Tethered Broadband Access for $59.99 per month

With the Verizon Wireless Worry Free Guarantee, your satisfaction is guaranteed for 15 days on any equipment you purchase from us. You pay only for the service, airtime, toll and roaming you have used. If for any reason you are not satisfied, you may return your purchase within 15 days.

If you have further questions or concerns, please write to us again through www.VerizonWireless.com (http://www.verizonwireless.com/). We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless.

Sincerely,

Rose
Verizon Wireless
Data Technical Support

That all sounds about right. But they're currently offering a discount on that 59.99 plan, making it the same 39.99 as sprint. The Core Choice to be specific. This is the data plans combined with voice plans for pda phones.

Now the problem is is that none of the new evdo phones work with tethering out of the box, except for the new black berry. But its extremely easy to get it working on the 6700, just a few codes easily found online, and it works like a charm.

[crackintosh]

I know ths I work at RadioShack and sell people on the Phone-as-Modem plans all of the time, and would never recomend #777 to any customer. That said I have used it quite a bit with Sprint for a short time, and ocasionally for a long time. I would understand if Sprint makes it impossible without a modem plan, but I keep hoping they go the other way. It would just be nice to know for sure where they stand on it and where there going with it.

[eskin]

Any idea when this $40.00 all-you-can eat data plan is going to hit the Sprint website? I've currently got a 2+ year account with the $100.00 for 2000 minutes, unlimited SMS, vision, 7 PM nights and weekends, and no roming charges. We've already met our 2 year obligation and could get another 2 year agreement. Phones are a Sanyo 4900 and my Treo 650. Since we only use about 500 minutes max on plan each month, and I really like the idea of EVDO DUN, I'd like to buy a Samsung A900 to use primarily as a EVDO gateway for DUN to my laptop and palmtops, keep the Treo 650 and the Sanyo on the account (3 phones total), have at least 800 primetime minutes, and still be able to send and get and occasional SMS and try to accomplish all this with about the same monthly bill, which with tax and protection plan ends up around $120.00. Is that even remotely possible?

Also, I do a lot with mail forwarding to my SprintPCS mail account from work and home, when I then receive on the Treo 650 using SnapperMail. Sort of a do-it-yourself Blackberry setup. I'm wondering, do the email messages I get from Sprint when an email is received at my SprintPCS email account count against my SMS balance if I have to buy a metered SMS service plan? If they don't, I could easily get by with 100 SMS a month, if they do, well then I'd have to get the unlimited SMS plan.

Thanks for any clarification. It truly amazes me that Sprint offers a "phone as modem" data plans on their site that has zero detail as to exactly how many megabytes per data are included in the plan, and the details are nowhere to be found before you finalize the order, even the whole "data on phone/data as modem" is left completely unclear. How in the world do they get away with this legally? I've never seen this kind of deliberate obfuscation of charges allowed in any other industry.

Cheers,

Michael Eskin
San Diego, CA

[stevenmh]

[b][color=black]

The Mobile Office Kit contains software and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable to connect the handset to your laptop. It will allow you to access the Internet using your handset as a wireless modem. We currently have three mobile devices that can be used as Broadband Access tethered modems. Please see below for your options:

1. LG VX8100
2. LG VX9800
3. Motorola Razr V3c



The last I heard, VZW will no longer even sell you a Mobile Office Kit with a VCAST/EVDO capable phone. Even if they do, look here:

http://dts.vzw.com/pdf/BT_Chart_Handsets.pdf

You can see that the 8100 and v3c don't include the BT DUN profile. That's a lot of money for a data plan where phone-to-laptop via USB is your only option. No BT tethering to laptop, and no tethering to a Pocket PC at all. Where the laptop is concerned, I suppose it's more the principle than actual problem, since anyone carrying a laptop around can carry a cable in the bag. But ordering the v3c and then finding out it wouldn't work with my Pocket PC was the final straw for me.

[jcfordham]

FWIW, VZW will let you tether (but not BT DUN) an EVDO BB 7130:

http://dts.vzw.com/devices/blackberry_7130e/faq.html?grp=3&faq=2

[hazlgreen]

Ok, it is time for today's dumb question: I can translate BT to Bluetooth, but I cannot translate DUN. Can someone translate DUN for me?

[hewlpac]

Ok, it is time for today's dumb question: I can translate BT to Bluetooth, but I cannot translate DUN. Can someone translate DUN for me?

Dial Up Networking....

[Joeyd2005]

Ok.. I think I get it now!.. Spoke to a sprint supervisor.... The 39.99 phone as a modem plan DOES include power vision web.. It does NOT include Picture Mail or video mail or sprint tv. Those items would be additional. $5/ month for picture mail, $5/month for video mail and 9.95/month for sprint tv. This is availble for people w/ a 2 year contract, apparently....
Plan #2: = $39.99 modem/power vision use, UP TO 40MB!.. after that it is $.001/per kb (not 1 cent, but 1-tenth of a cent, per kb)... of either data or phone vision use.. CAPPED AT $69.99 OR $79.99 (I cant find the notes I wrote to confirm the right figure, sorry)...
It seems to me that the important point here is that it CANT get out of control, and you can use all powervision options. It took a while to get someone to confirm this plan, and I was told that it was "pasted" on my notes of my account.
In regards to NVP discounts, discount is giving to the limited plan base (not the overages), and NOT to the unlimted plan, BUT..., given to the added picturemail/video, etc....This is the first supervisor that finally made sense of it all...,
I am happy that I am able to use my a900 features to the fullest!

[stevenmh]

Ok.. I think I get it now!.. Spoke to a sprint supervisor.... The 39.99 phone as a modem plan DOES include power vision web.. It does NOT include Picture Mail or video mail or sprint tv. Those items would be additional. $5/ month for picture mail, $5/month for video mail and 9.95/month for sprint tv. This is availble for people w/ a 2 year contract, apparently....
Plan #2: = $39.99 modem/power vision use, UP TO 40MB!.. after that it is $.001/per kb (not 1 cent, but 1-tenth of a cent, per kb)... of either data or phone vision use.. CAPPED AT $69.99 OR $79.99 (I cant find the notes I wrote to confirm the right figure, sorry)...
It seems to me that the important point here is that it CANT get out of control, and you can use all powervision options. It took a while to get someone to confirm this plan, and I was told that it was "pasted" on my notes of my account.
In regards to NVP discounts, discount is giving to the limited plan base (not the overages), and NOT to the unlimted plan, BUT..., given to the added picturemail/video, etc....This is the first supervisor that finally made sense of it all...,
I am happy that I am able to use my a900 features to the fullest!

I must be missing something between Plan #1 and Plan #2. Why would anyone choose 40MB for $40 when they could choose unlimited for $40? Is it that plan #2 doesn't require a 2 yr contract?

Based on what your supervisor told you regarding Plan #1, it sounds like the modem plan includes the Vision Access Pack. If you spend the extra $5 + $5 for video mail and picture mail, you've basically upgraded to the Plus Pack. Add the $10 for TV and you're at the Ultimate Pack. I'm assuming the TV he's talking about is the Sprint TV Ultimate that would come with the Ultimate Pack, and that you'd have to spend ANOTHER $10 to get Sprint TV Live. Of course, that all assumes he knows what he's talking about, so until Sprint either posts official information or people start getting bills that prove it one way or the other, it's still speculation.

[stevenmh]

Also, I'd like to know what happens if you don't add Video Mail or Picture Mail. Does this mean the phone won't allow you to do it? Does it mean you can do it but you'll pay a fee per message? If so, what is the fee? Fixed fee per message, or $0.02/KB while the message is being sent?

[Pocket Warrior]

I bought a PPC-6700 today with the $40 unlimited data plan. Only one of the three employees working in the Sprint store knew there was a "new brochure" with the updated plan.

Footnotes which didn't make it into the scan read:

2 Unless a Sprint PCS voice plan is selected, you will be charged $.20 per minute for service calls. Domestic off-network roaming calls are $.50 per minute with an extra $.25 per minute long-distance charge where applicable.

* Rates exclude taxes & Sprint Fees (including USF charge of up to 2.12% that varies quarterly, cost recovery fees up to $2.83 per line, & state/local fees that vary by area). Sprint Fees are not taxes or government-required charges.
David

[In The Office]

I bought a PPC-6700 today with the $40 unlimited data plan. Only one of the three employees working in the Sprint store knew there was a "new brochure" with the updated plan.



Please forgive the perhaps silly question, but once you tether to your "powervision" phone, is your connection the equivalent to a high speed dsl or cable modem connection?

I am about to renew my contract, and have been using a T-Mobile/Sierra aircard to provide me with slower than 14.4 dialup speed connectivity for on the road access. At the sale price of 39.99, this service seems to be an excellent value if the connection is indeed high speed.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

And, by the way, this is a great forum and one I am delighted to have found.

Cheers,
Ito

[mikesco]

If you live are in a EDVO area you will get high speed. My typical teathered speed as measured by speakeasy.net is about 750kbs download and 100kbs upload.
While it is high speed, I get much higher with my cable, it is typically 5900kbs download and 364kbs upload.

Mike Smith





Please forgive the perhaps silly question, but once you tether to your "powervision" phone, is your connection the equivalent to a high speed dsl or cable modem connection?

I am about to renew my contract, and have been using a T-Mobile/Sierra aircard to provide me with slower than 14.4 dialup speed connectivity for on the road access. At the sale price of 39.99, this service seems to be an excellent value if the connection is indeed high speed.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

And, by the way, this is a great forum and one I am delighted to have found.

Cheers,
Ito

[mstbone67a]

Yep It is awesome to have the EVDO and yep it is very comparable to the DSL SPEEDS.

If you can get on the SERO plan it would cover the voice/data.

;)

[bearyj]

What happens if you use your phone as a modem in areas that are not covered by EV-DO? Can you still connect under the unlimited plan? is it just at a lower speed?

What is the SERO plan?

[mikesco]

What happens if you use your phone as a modem in areas that are not covered by EV-DO? Can you still connect under the unlimited plan? is it just at a lower speed?

What is the SERO plan?


In non-Edvo Areas it will connect at the lower speed.

SERO is a Sprint Employee Referal Offer, it is suppose to allow Sprint employees a way to offer thier family and friends a discounted service plan.

Mike Smith

[slm95]

I would like to say that I got my invoice for this past month and I used my A940 two times as a modem for about 2min each time and there was nothing on the bill regarding it.

[Arkie]

I have the unlimited plan. I called twice to make sure. It works great!!!! I'm loving Sprint

[jivey]

I have the unlimited plan. I called twice to make sure. It works great!!!! I'm loving Sprint

I have it too! It's great!

[msswitch]

I had the $25 Power Vision plan for unlimited data on my phone (after a 30 day free trial), but wanted to use my phone as a modem. When I called up Sprint they told me that I'd have to switch my plan because I had a legacy plan that wouldn't allow the PAM option. I did like I always do and called back again later - spoke to someone else, got my $40 unlimited Power Vision / PAM Unlimited plan. I asked whether the $40 covered both Vision and PAM and I was told that it would. Also heard that the $40 plan was a limited promotion, normally $50... Anyone hear the same?

[jumonjii]

Okay, I have gotten lost reading through these threads.

If you are on a sero plan, am I correct in believing that PAM is not available?

Now...can you get a PAM plan and use it in conjunction with sero?

[kesi]

DO anybody knows what is the download speed if you use phone as Modem(LX550 or A900)?

[mhanton]

I just connected my laptop to my PPC-6700 to internet for the first time, it connects at 230kbps. The internet is actually pretty usable at this speed. I am using the USB cable that came withe phone between the phone & laptop.

[Vince22]

Who has the cheapest legal Phone as Modem plan? How did you get it?

[Hooper67]

I have read through this entire thread. Do you know something ? This convinces me just how moronic the industry can be. They offer all these plans, options, features, and even their own support staff doesn't know one from the other. It's as though they are crushed under the weight of their own inneptitude.

These companies spend gazillions of dollars trying to lure customers. Yet, they are so inept that they cannot provide clear service options. 1X, EVDO, Power Vision, Regular Vision, PAM, Bluetooth, NAI, 3G, blah, blah, blah... Good lord, they just rely on consumer ignorance to sign-up customers. Then they build an entire wing of industry known as "retentions" to try to keep us. The first company that makes it simple and straightforward won't need retentions.

Is it too goddamned much to ask that these companies do a little housekeeping and get their s**t together ? I don't think people would make sport of trying to screw them out of PAM fees if they a) created a fair and reasonable price structure for it. I mean, jeezus, $50 for unlimited data on top of the $40 or so for the usual plan ? Try $25 and I am IN b) Give us a 5 or 6 clear plans and perhaps 1 al-la-carte option.

Here's another thing. This whole business of SERO is a joke to me. Do you think Sprint is not aware of Sprintusers.com ??? Do you really think that they don't notice that 90% of their customers are "friends" of Sprint employees ? Sero is a way for Sprint to let you think you are getting an insiders edge. It is a marketing vehicle to make you think you are getting something that others are not. I assure you, Sero is going no where and there will be no witchhunt. As a matter of fact, my suspicion is that there is illegal collusion in the industry to fix prices. SERO may be Sprint's backdoor way of providing a lower price than the industry (re: Verizon, T-Mobile, Cingular, etc) would like to see for a given service because it is not "offered to the public".

[the2ndflood]

I have read through this entire thread. Do you know something ? This convinces me just how moronic the industry can be. They offer all these plans, options, features, and even their own support staff doesn't know one from the other. It's as though they are crushed under the weight of their own inneptitude.

These companies spend gazillions of dollars trying to lure customers. Yet, they are so inept that they cannot provide clear service options. 1X, EVDO, Power Vision, Regular Vision, PAM, Bluetooth, NAI, 3G, blah, blah, blah... Good lord, they just rely on consumer ignorance to sign-up customers. Then they build an entire wing of industry known as "retentions" to try to keep us. The first company that makes it simple and straightforward won't need retentions.

Is it too goddamned much to ask that these companies do a little housekeeping and get their s**t together ? I don't think people would make sport of trying to screw them out of PAM fees if they a) created a fair and reasonable price structure for it. I mean, jeezus, $50 for unlimited data on top of the $40 or so for the usual plan ? Try $25 and I am IN b) Give us a 5 or 6 clear plans and perhaps 1 al-la-carte option.

Here's another thing. This whole business of SERO is a joke to me. Do you think Sprint is not aware of Sprintusers.com ??? Do you really think that they don't notice that 90% of their customers are "friends" of Sprint employees ? Sero is a way for Sprint to let you think you are getting an insiders edge. It is a marketing vehicle to make you think you are getting something that others are not. I assure you, Sero is going no where and there will be no witchhunt. As a matter of fact, my suspicion is that there is illegal collusion in the industry to fix prices. SERO may be Sprint's backdoor way of providing a lower price than the industry (re: Verizon, T-Mobile, Cingular, etc) would like to see for a given service because it is not "offered to the public".

Sprint's data prices are not bad.$10 and $15 for PDA/Phone and $40 for tethering and $50 for modem card unlimited data. Those are the best prices you can get for that type of access. I do agree wireless companies need to be more upfront with their customers. But for the most part it has been getting better overall. With customers having the ability to effect churn, JD Power, CR, BBB, FTC, ect ratings, users have more leverage now against companies that wrong them. But I still hate the fact that any carrier can make any claim without having any real proof behind it. I thought that was false advertising?

For the most part though, it is up to the customer to take the time to learn about these features. If you are going to sign a 2 year contract, then you should understand what you are getting into. When I left T-Mo years ago I studied wireless for months before I came over to Sprint. I made sure I knew as much as I possibly could before locking into another contract.

[Kriss]

I, too, would also like to know where you got these plans and what they include because all Sprint offers right now at this moment for phone as a modem are 39.99 and 49.99 prices.. PSA doesn't say anything about power vision packs offereng any type of tethering whatsoever because I'm looking at it now.

[Kriss]

The $25.00 EVDO plan DOES NOT include ANY tethering MB at all.. . PSA pricing doesn't show anything ANYWHERE about this "plan"... 39.99 phone as a modem plan does not include any power vision features i.e.: Sprint TV, or picture mail... that is separate. PSA stands for Plans and Service Agreements.

[meggatron]

I am weighing the options of upgrading my old Sanyo VM4500 with $15 vision.

? A while back it was stated that early EVDO phones (A940,900,920) allowed Grandfathered vision users to enjoy tethering (or phone as modem as I will be wanting) with no limits or at least no new limits over my old phone.
Is it true that any newer phone will trigger Sprint to shut off or meter my Phone As Modem use? Because I have been waiting for the newer Samsung's to come out when perhaps I should just pick up the last A940 before it is too late.

[the2ndflood]

The $25.00 EVDO plan DOES NOT include ANY tethering MB at all.. . PSA pricing doesn't show anything ANYWHERE about this "plan"... 39.99 phone as a modem plan does not include any power vision features i.e.: Sprint TV, or picture mail... that is separate. PSA stands for Plans and Service Agreements.

Which plan are you talking about?
There is 3 Power Vision (EV-DO) plans for phones and PDA's. A $15 for unlimited data, and some PV content. $20 for unlimited data and more PV content. And $25 for all PV content.
There is also a $10 and $15 dollar Visions (1x) access for phones and PDA's. These plans do not include tethering, but some people have been able to get away with some usage.
Then there is an unlimited tethering plan for $39.99 http://www.sprintpcs.com/common/popups/pop-HandsetAsModem.html
Or you can get an unlimited modem card plan for $59.99 without a voice plan.

[the2ndflood]

I am weighing the options of upgrading my old Sanyo VM4500 with $15 vision.

? A while back it was stated that early EVDO phones (A940,900,920) allowed Grandfathered vision users to enjoy tethering (or phone as modem as I will be wanting) with no limits or at least no new limits over my old phone.
Is it true that any newer phone will trigger Sprint to shut off or meter my Phone As Modem use? Because I have been waiting for the newer Samsung's to come out when perhaps I should just pick up the last A940 before it is too late.

That is not true. Only grandfathered Visions access plans from years ago could get away with tethering. When you upgrade your phone to an EV-DO phone, and EV-DO is in your area, you will be charged $15 for EV-DO access. If EV-DO is not in your area, then you might be able to just keep your $10 Visions access. But you don't have to add data access to your account. If all you want is an EV-DO phone, with no data access, then you will not be forced to add it to your plan.

[meggatron]

After reading Sprint Users forums for another 2 hours, allow me to ask this question in a more technical way...
NIA Disable - were the Samsung A940,900,920 the last phones to allow users to disable NIA?
Any other known phones after that?
Maybe M500, RAZR, A960, M610?

[meggatron]

Sorry NAI.

[alicee]

I just bought a laptop and currently own a Samsung A920. I unfortunately live in an area that does not (yet) have EV-DO. I am confused as to how to connect to the Internet via my laptop using Sprint's service. I know the "speed" is extremely limited since I do not have EV-DO service, but I wanted to know if the Mobile Broadband Card runs solely on the EV-DO service (which is expensive and would serve no purpose since it's not available here, yet), or if I should use it as a PAM (slightly cheaper option, though still will be slow, I presume)?

If anybody has any suggestions as to the broadband card or pam, it would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Alicee

[weyland]

After reading Sprint Users forums for another 2 hours, allow me to ask this question in a more technical way...
NIA Disable - were the Samsung A940,900,920 the last phones to allow users to disable NIA?
Any other known phones after that?
Maybe M500, RAZR, A960, M610?

Pardon me if this is a blazingly stupid question, but the signal to noise
ratio on a search of it makes it unlikely I'll find an answer very soon, so -

What exactly is NAI and why is it desireable (needed?)
to disable it for tethering a phone one wants to surf with?

Thanks,

Weyland

[schettj]

What exactly is NAI and why is it desireable (needed?)
to disable it for tethering a phone one wants to surf with?

NAI is a three letter acronym for - well something - depends on what your google finds. Let's call it Network Access Id.

You need one to log into EVDO or even 1x data networks

http://www.cellphonehacks.com/viewtopic.php?p=153431&sid=c203211db5d0ddf0fbce0ef54fff255b

The question is, does your device have TWO NAIs or just one - if it has two, then the second one is used whenever the phone is used as a MODEM attached to a pc. And that second one should be rejected by Sprint (IE, you should not be able to connect) or you'll get billed, or Santa won't come to your house, or whatever horrible thing you can think of will happen.

Unless you buy the Phone As Modem (PAM) plan for $40. Then you can do all that without a care.

Basically, NAI closes a loophole whereby people use their phones as modems without paying any more then what they already pay for 'unlimited data' with PowerVision.

If you are using your phone to surf on your phone with Vision/PowerVision, none of this applies to you. Just use the phone as nature (and Sprint) intended.

[V_eastern_wa]

I am subscribed to the F&F 1400 Shared min. plan with my husband. I recentley added Unlimited Data PAM plan for $39.00 to my phone. I have the OPTION to upgrade to the Sprint Power Pak starting at $15.00. Without it I will be charged for vision useage.
In the beginning when the data plan was first added they somehow got it confused and my account reflected that I was subscribed to the SPV with .20 voice call plan and they removed me from the shared minute plan we were already subscribed to, but had it corrected.

Vera

[Hott2Death]

Also, if you add pam to your existing account it extends your contract for 2 years. i called yesterday to add it but from what i was told was that i'd have to pay for power vision on my phone as well as the pam price. that's 60 bucks right there. now i'm debating on getting an aircard.

[V_eastern_wa]

You only need to pay for PV if you want it.
If you are already on an existing 2 year voice contract you only need add the PAM...for instance we renewed our 2 year contract beginning November but didn't add the PAM until just before X-Mas.

Vera

[Hott2Death]

Is that because you had renewed your contract less than 3 months before you added pam and you are allowed to make changes penalty free? or is it treated like a plan add on? so if i wanted pam and pv on my phone would i have to pay for both or just pam?

[V_eastern_wa]

No there isn't any penalty. It was treated as an add-on because we were already subscribed to a 2 year voice agreement....it would be just like adding a PV pack, or Voice Command to an existing voice plan. The only time there is a penalty is if you change (lower your voice plan) or terminate your services ($200 early termination fee). There is never a penalty fee for upgrading a voice plan or add-ons

Vera

[Hott2Death]

I sure hope you're right about that. now as far as the mystic question. to be able to have unlimited pv on my phone and pam, do i need both services to my plan or just pam?

[V_eastern_wa]

As it stand now on my account I would need to pay the extra fee to access PV from my phone.
With PAM you are accessing your PC or Laptop with a USB port (phone to PC) or Bluetooth and with PV you are using phone only. The plus to using via USB port is that the phone charges while connected to the PC...it's your choice to use either UBS or Bluetooth to connect.
I don't fully understand the difference between connection card or PAM. The website is worthless. All your get for answers when you ask a question or click a link regarding specific services is a list of phones!! LOL! What a crock. I think they want to keep us confused....hmmmmmm

[meggatron]

Is the bluetooth conection much slower than USB for net access?

[V_eastern_wa]

I have no idea because I'm not connecting with bluetooth :D
I'm not connecting very fast with with the USB (12Mbps...however that translates into kbps?) but much faster than the dial up at 28.8 kbps which I was getting with a 56k modem. I would connect faster but we still have yet to get the really high broadband speeds in our area + I'm 33 miles out of the city.

Vera

[V_eastern_wa]

Have just got off the phone (*2) and asked the general question "Is any Vision pak included with the Unlimited Data PAM plan?" There answer was still "NO"! If you choose to included it you will need to pay extra.

[crak]

On the bluetooth deal I get disconnected after a while but on the cable i get speeds over 400kbs. I have an a900m.

[V_eastern_wa]

On the cable I'm only connecting at 12 MB....how do I break that down to Kbps? I know at this very moment I am downloading the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader and estimated time bounces back from 3 hours to 54 minutes....but at this rate I'm thinking 2 hours LOL! Good grief.

Vera