GNG News Guy
02-28-2008, 11:24 AM
http://i.dslr.net/urls/72/4172.gif (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Sprint-Unveils-99-Unlimited-Everything-Plan-92233)
In response to last weeks flurry of announcements by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile that they'd be offering unlimited wireless voice plans for $100 and up, Sprint has now announced (http://newsreleases.sprint.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=127149&p=irol-newsArticle_newsroom&ID=1113525) their $99 "Simply Everything" plan. The new plan, which Sprint had been cooking up for a while, offers users unlimited national calling, as well as unlimited SMS/MMS, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, and Sprint music & TV services. Is this a bold, unprecedented move, Mr. CEO?"This is a bold, unprecedented move," said Dan Hesse, president and CEO, Sprint Nextel. "Wireless today is about much more than just voice. It is about data services - texting, email, video, pictures, music, navigation, surfing the Web and more. Customers want these applications, but without complexity and without having to worry about their bill. The $99.99 Simply Everything plan delivers it all right to the palm of their hand now.
The service pricing soundly beats Verizon's offering (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/91984), given Verizon is charging $100 just for unlimited voice, $120 for unlimited text & video, and $140 for full unlimited service (voice, SMS, assorted Verizon content). Will Verizon's CEO stick to his promise that he won't participate in a price war (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/92184) with a $40 price difference?
While Sprint's plan isn't the $60-$80 unlimited voice plan some expected, it's going to be low enough to make Verizon execs think.
According to Sprint, each additional line added subtracts $5 from the cost of the new plan. Keep in mind that as with Verizon, real unlimited EVDO data access, BES, DUN and tethering is going to cost you extra. The new tier is available tomorrow to new and existing customers, who, thanks to the Minnesota Attorney General (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/10/mn_sprint.html), won't have to extend their contracts another one or two years to sign up for it.
Sprint's announcement seems to be overshadowing their release of fourth quarter earnings, which highlight the carrier's continued financial struggles (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200802281014DOWJONESDJONLINE000850_FORTUNE5.htm). Obviously a low service price-point isn't going to be of much use to consumers if the company that's offering it can't offer quality customer service -- or more troubling -- even stay afloat.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Sprint-Unveils-99-Unlimited-Everything-Plan-92233)
In response to last weeks flurry of announcements by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile that they'd be offering unlimited wireless voice plans for $100 and up, Sprint has now announced (http://newsreleases.sprint.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=127149&p=irol-newsArticle_newsroom&ID=1113525) their $99 "Simply Everything" plan. The new plan, which Sprint had been cooking up for a while, offers users unlimited national calling, as well as unlimited SMS/MMS, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, and Sprint music & TV services. Is this a bold, unprecedented move, Mr. CEO?"This is a bold, unprecedented move," said Dan Hesse, president and CEO, Sprint Nextel. "Wireless today is about much more than just voice. It is about data services - texting, email, video, pictures, music, navigation, surfing the Web and more. Customers want these applications, but without complexity and without having to worry about their bill. The $99.99 Simply Everything plan delivers it all right to the palm of their hand now.
The service pricing soundly beats Verizon's offering (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/91984), given Verizon is charging $100 just for unlimited voice, $120 for unlimited text & video, and $140 for full unlimited service (voice, SMS, assorted Verizon content). Will Verizon's CEO stick to his promise that he won't participate in a price war (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/92184) with a $40 price difference?
While Sprint's plan isn't the $60-$80 unlimited voice plan some expected, it's going to be low enough to make Verizon execs think.
According to Sprint, each additional line added subtracts $5 from the cost of the new plan. Keep in mind that as with Verizon, real unlimited EVDO data access, BES, DUN and tethering is going to cost you extra. The new tier is available tomorrow to new and existing customers, who, thanks to the Minnesota Attorney General (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/10/mn_sprint.html), won't have to extend their contracts another one or two years to sign up for it.
Sprint's announcement seems to be overshadowing their release of fourth quarter earnings, which highlight the carrier's continued financial struggles (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200802281014DOWJONESDJONLINE000850_FORTUNE5.htm). Obviously a low service price-point isn't going to be of much use to consumers if the company that's offering it can't offer quality customer service -- or more troubling -- even stay afloat.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Sprint-Unveils-99-Unlimited-Everything-Plan-92233)