Sprint

gene

New member
Sep 29, 1999
2,215
0
0
Mike , and Mark

It looks like on the west coast that Sprint wants to charge extra for Fax /
Data / Modem connections. The info that Glen got seems to be the same I
get from the sellers. The 500 min on the $50 plan cannot be used for Data
unless you pay an additional fee. Is this the way it is on the Right Coast
? or are we missing the elevator and just getting the shaft out here on the
Left coast.
( I hope I have my port and starboard correct).

It also seems that you have to get the internet service even if you only
want the data connection.

Has anyone actually used the data connection ?

gene
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
I will check today to confirm, but... Sprint now offers 'bundled' Internet
access with many of the plans. This is a big marketing deal, since no other
technology supports it as well.

Sprint's definition of bundled: Sprint is the ISP

Subject to check, you just need the modem adapter cable, not the Sprint
Internet. You can use your own ISP service on the road.

As far as I know, there are no restrictions on who you call, but Sprint is
creating mucho confusion by trying to sell a 'bundled' product of the cable
and their own "Internet service."

This is further confused by the 'mini browser' Internet service on some
phones. I did see this the other day; the CSR training materials just go on
and on about this wonderful new feature. Obviously, bundling the phone,
cable and Internet service produces more revenue from the customer, and
simplifies support, etc. so I can't beat Sprint over the head too hard.

For the enlightened, 'net enabled (and thrifty minded) GMC list member,
however, the Sprint bundled Internet deal isn't as good as the simple
combination of their current ISP and the modem cable. Sprint's deal isn't
total crap, but just not as good as someone with a GMC would expect.
[got to save every penny for the coach, eh?]

I'll see what I can find out today and report back tonight. For the moment,
stick to this party line with the sales rep:

I just need the modem cable, not the Internet service.
Don't even use the word Internet.

I think that will get the job done at the price points you seek. As we
touched on earlier and Mike F. pointed out a long time ago, Sprint makes
money when you don't use your plan minutes. (like that's a big surprise)
Remember, Mike advised us that he doesn't use all his minutes talking,
that's where he gets such a good deal.

I can't say for sure without checking, but Sprint may have created the
'bundle' which is offered whenever someone mentions the word Internet simply
to drive up the revenue per handset.

That would make sense, since the result is that you face a more difficult
challenge getting the adapter cable without the service. You need to break
this 'bundle' open and just get the modem cable.

Mike may add more, and I'll check next door or with KC today and see what's
going on.

mg

|-----Original Message-----
|From: owner-gmcmotorhome
|[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of gene
|Sent: Friday, December 03, 1999 5:54 AM
|To: grady; songtekpub; gmcmotorhome
|Subject: GMC: Sprint
|
|
|Mike , and Mark
|
|It looks like on the west coast that Sprint wants to charge extra for Fax /
|Data / Modem connections. The info that Glen got seems to be the same I
|get from the sellers. The 500 min on the $50 plan cannot be used for Data
|unless you pay an additional fee. Is this the way it is on the Right Coast
|? or are we missing the elevator and just getting the shaft out here on the
|Left coast.
|( I hope I have my port and starboard correct).
|
|It also seems that you have to get the internet service even if you only
|want the data connection.
|
|Has anyone actually used the data connection ?
|
|gene
|Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
|GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
|mr.erf
|http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
did you try the data access ??

gene

>Here in the midwest, (no coast).
>
>Sprint has a separate plan for the internet access, and I went up the chain
>of command here at Sprint to make sure I wasn't getting the run around and
it
>all checked out the same. 500min/$50 doesn't cover the internet access.
>
>Did get the Sprint phone and am happy so far with their coverage. Took it
>with me last week to Arizona and had good coverage up Phonix to south of
>Tucson.
>
>Chuck D
>Stillwater Mn
>way above normal (temp wise at least)
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
>
>service; you can use any one you want. BUT, when you use your Sprint phone
>with the cable, Sprint can detect a data signal (it is different from voice)
>and you will be charged at the data rate, which is 3 or 4 times the voice
>rate. OR, you can buy their data plan; so many minutes for so many bucks.
>At least that's the way the Sprint manager at the San Leandro (CA) Sprint
>store explained it to me. The brochures are confusing.

The rates and plans depend very heavily on where you are located. The San
Jose area has a plan for $50/month 500 voice minutes per month. You can add
data for 9.90 per month with 50 minutes of data connect. Additional data
connect minutes are 30 cents each (about 3 times the bulk voic rate).

You can also choose the wireless web 500 minutes per month plan for
$90/month. They also have a 300 minutes per month plan for $60 - voice or
data.

Here's my typical remote usage in the past using a land line: When I
traveled last summer I used both a wireless modem and my ISP's 800 number.
About half of my total Internet usage during July and August was via the
800 number. I pay 10 cents per minutes for those connections. I used 83
minutes in July and 157 minutes in August. So, if I adjust for the usage of
the wireless modem, I would have used about 170 minutes in July and 350
minutes in August.

Which plan to choose depends on your usage patterns. For my normal voice
calls, I don't often exceed the 650 minutes per month of my voice plan with
GTE. My daughter doesn't come close to using her 500 minutes of Sprint
time. FWIW, because I call clients using the cellular, more than 80% of my
voice calls are long distance - and I pay close to the same for a land line
as I do for cellular.

My on-road data usage is mostly to queue up e-mail going out and download
inbound e-mail. Even with the high volume of mail that I get in a day, my
total upload and download times combined are usually less than 5 minutes
per day.

If I were to use Sprint PCS for Internet connection on a demand basis (I'd
pay the 30 cents per minute for extra data minutes) the difference between
the 800 number that I call now and the Sprint rate would be 20 cents per
minute or about $1 per day.

YMMV.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (831) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (831) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com/ http://www.henry-davis.com
 
Just decided to take the plunge and go with sprint PCS. Seems to work good
with phone service, and since I do some traveling by plane, seems it will work
great in the cities I am traveling to. I will try email next year sometime...
when I have time. Liked the plan and will give it a try. When I called them
today they said they just started web stuff... Dec 6. So, I will wait and see
what happens next.
al