Sprint Eliminates Loyalty Discounts
Sprint, along with the top two wireless carriers in the USA, is limiting the choices of plans available to subscribers who want to have the latest and greatest mobile handsets (i.e.: EVO, Hero, Droid, iPhone). If current subscribers want to upgrade to one of the newer so-called 'smartphones', they will have to pony up the additional $30 to $50 per month for the 'privilege' of using one of the devices. Sprint maintains (as does Verizon and AT&T) that the latest smartphones are data intensive, requiring an unlimited data plan (It does not seem to matter that Palm Treos and 3G Centros are smartphones, and many subscribers use them with their existing and lower cost unlimited data plans). At Sprint, this would require longtime subscribers to give up their 'Loyalty Discount' and perhaps other perks (6pm off-peak, bonus minutes, etc.) added over the years, resulting in higher monthly bills for fewer services.
Note: The 'Loyalty Discount' was recently removed from Sprint subscribers' accounts, resulting in an immediate increase in monthly charges.
At Verizon and AT&T, subscribers have long complained about the high-cost data plans that must be added to the basic subscription in order to purchase the higher end handsets such as iPhones and Droids. And all major carriers offer corporate discounts and off-sheet deals to their partners. But while Sprint has continued to bleed subscribers over the past few years, it seems to fly in the face of logic for them to eliminate existing discounts (without notification) for their most loyal subscribers.
Sprint has had a large number of pricing plans over the years, and within the past year has decided to pare their offerings to only a few...Everything Data and Simply Everything. They also offer family sharing plans as a part of the primary plans. And while many would argue that Sprint offers lower cost plans than their two larger rivals, others would state that Sprint's handset line was lacking in the 'wow' category (until the EVO was recently released) or that Sprint's coverage area was not as wide as their competitors'.
As with any product or service, consumers are often advised to vote with their wallet...(i.e.: If you are not satisfied, buy from someone else). Today, the no-contract carriers are offering all-inclusive plans starting at $40 per month, with taxes and fees included. Boost, which operates on the Sprint network, has a $50 plan and a Blackberry plan for $60. Metro PCS offers plans from $40 with unlimited calling and roaming in their markets. AT&T offers their 'go phone' with unlimited talk and text for $60 per month (web is an extra $20 for 100MB).
At some point, no-contract carriers will undoubtedly be offering Android-based handsets at unsubsidized prices, especially since the BB has broken the ice. Perhaps then, major carriers such as Sprint will re-think their policies to retain their long-term subscribers and also allow them the freedom to purchase and use any handset with their existing plan, and keep their loyalty discounts, too.
Note: The 'Loyalty Discount' was recently removed from Sprint subscribers' accounts, resulting in an immediate increase in monthly charges.
At Verizon and AT&T, subscribers have long complained about the high-cost data plans that must be added to the basic subscription in order to purchase the higher end handsets such as iPhones and Droids. And all major carriers offer corporate discounts and off-sheet deals to their partners. But while Sprint has continued to bleed subscribers over the past few years, it seems to fly in the face of logic for them to eliminate existing discounts (without notification) for their most loyal subscribers.
Sprint has had a large number of pricing plans over the years, and within the past year has decided to pare their offerings to only a few...Everything Data and Simply Everything. They also offer family sharing plans as a part of the primary plans. And while many would argue that Sprint offers lower cost plans than their two larger rivals, others would state that Sprint's handset line was lacking in the 'wow' category (until the EVO was recently released) or that Sprint's coverage area was not as wide as their competitors'.
As with any product or service, consumers are often advised to vote with their wallet...(i.e.: If you are not satisfied, buy from someone else). Today, the no-contract carriers are offering all-inclusive plans starting at $40 per month, with taxes and fees included. Boost, which operates on the Sprint network, has a $50 plan and a Blackberry plan for $60. Metro PCS offers plans from $40 with unlimited calling and roaming in their markets. AT&T offers their 'go phone' with unlimited talk and text for $60 per month (web is an extra $20 for 100MB).
At some point, no-contract carriers will undoubtedly be offering Android-based handsets at unsubsidized prices, especially since the BB has broken the ice. Perhaps then, major carriers such as Sprint will re-think their policies to retain their long-term subscribers and also allow them the freedom to purchase and use any handset with their existing plan, and keep their loyalty discounts, too.
posted by MM at 8:28 AM
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