Sprint announced recently that it will be discontinuing its unlimited data plans for its users, but the iPhone users will still be able to take full advantage of the unlimited data transfer, offered only by Sprint.
Sprint is the third US carrier that invaded iPhone users, joining in the action with AT&T and Verizon on the iPhone 4S launch. Also among those carriers, only Sprint offered unlimited data plans to it users. After the iPhone 4S launch, carriers witnessed huge load on there data servers and many users complained with slow data rates(especially on Sprint).
Other US carriers also implement data caps and Sprint will implement data caps on each customer’s next bill cycle, except for iPhone users. Sprint’s new data ploicy applies to tablets, netbooks, laptops, USB and PC ccard mmodems alomg with mobile hot spot devices.
The new data plan by Sprint as reported by Macworld is as follows :-
While capping data use on its 3G network to 3GB, 5GB or 10GB per month, Sprint has continued to offer unlimited 4G service. Now, the cap for each of these plans will cover the subscriber’s combined monthly data use on both 3G and 4G. All data use above the cap will cost $0.05 per megabyte.
The monthly allowance for data use while roaming on non-Sprint networks will be 100MB for the 3GB plan and 300MB for the other two plans, with each megabyte over those caps charged at $0.25.
For Mobile Hotspot plans on phones, data usage will be capped at 5GB per month of either 3G or combined 3G/4G service, depending on whether the phone can use 4G. Use above that cap will be charged at $0.05 per megabyte. Those plans will have a 300MB monthly cap for data roaming.
This policy change indicates that Sprint intends to discontinue its unlimited data plans for good, but since it had just invaded iPhone users it is much unlikely that they will put caps on iPhone users soon. Among other US carriers that support iPhone Sprint’s main attraction is unlimited data plans, without which its no different.
It’s much likely that Sprint changed the policy to satisfy its iPhone users with smooth data transfer rates, so that more customers get attracted to it. Time will tell why Sprint made this move and what it intends to do in future.
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