Comments on: Sprint Hopes Android Plus 4G Equals Subscriber Wins

By: Jasen

Jasen — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:52:42 +0000

I have been nothing but happy on Sprints network since I switched, having been on all three of the other four major carriers. T Mobile wasn’t bad, but they coverage wasn’t enough for me, my G1 would too often go into “paperweight” mode. Verizon was great but expensive, and ATT, well, they have significant problems from their plan values to their CS to their coverage, and the iPhone was not enough of a positive to outweigh those negatives for me. I hope Sprint keeps moving onward and upward, and I see their company as being aggressive enough and flexible(which can’t be underestimated in this mobile environment) enough to move forward into the 4G space, whether it be WiMax or, more likely, LTE.

By: Virtuous

Virtuous — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:14:42 +0000

Sprint should gain even more customers through their new partnership with Best Buy. I’m thinking of switching from a combination of AT&T and Verizon to just T-Mobile. For my needs T-Mobile is cheaper than Sprint.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:57:20 +0000

First Sprint has to get the 4G up to snuff.

By: TimB

TimB — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:09:41 +0000

My experience is roughly the same as yours. There has been a tech press theme for a year or so along the lines of “Sprint is doomed using WiMax because LTE is the only way forward”. This blog hasn’t done it, but it’s been played extensively elsewhere in the GigaOM world.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:07:58 +0000

I’ve had Sprint coverage since last year (when I purchased a Palm Pre). Due to hardware issues with my Pre, I’ve had several occasions to interact with Sprint and their customer service has been outstanding!
Their service plans are far more affordable than the big guys, are more inclusive, and they’re easy to understand.
My EVO experience has been excellent, and I’m happy the phone’s on Sprint.
Years ago, Sprint’s service was not very good. Their coverage was shoddy, and their customer service was, well, non-existent. That’s no longer the case. I’d recommend them over any other carrier located here in the U.S.
They’ve really turned things around.

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:58:55 +0000

I have had a Sprint account (f/k/a Sprint PCS – the first all digital network – remember that?) since the Fall of 1997. I have also had other lines on other carriers from time to time, but always kept the Sprint line active as it ultimately proved a better overall value and experience than any of the other carriers. I am a power user and have had almost every smartphone to come along since the Treo 180. Sprint has always had the best data plans and pricing. As for coverage, none of the GSM carriers – regardless of their name at the time – had the voice and data quality combo. Also, both ATT and T-Mo have given me surprise charges on my bills and their pricing was never as good of a value. As for Verizon, its pricing is insane and it locks down devices, a non-starter for me. Also, Sprint and Verizon allow roaming on each others towers so coverage is a non-issue in my mind. BTW – I have had to travel to as many as 40 cities som years on business and have rarely had a coverage issue with Sprint. Now with 4G, Sprint is again ahead of the competition. With all of the pros, I struggle to understand how the company is always viewed as knocking on death’s door. The only gripe WAS customer service, but the CS is now industry best according to some reports. Finally, Sprint often has the best devices (save for the void of the iPhone which is shared by everyone save ATT). If Sprint doesn’t succeed, I would go with T-Mo, but I really believe that Sprint is the best overall and should succeed. It just needs to shake up its image and get folks to try the service!

By: worldbfree4me

worldbfree4me — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:52:00 +0000

Not worried one bit. I have been with Sprint since 1997 and will remain with them unless the Company goes under or they start to nickel and dime me to death like ATT or Verizon and if that happens, hello Moto on T-Mobile. I suspect others are in my camp as well (Loyal to the Company and not Hardware), with the exception being iPhone lovers. If Metro PCS was the only carrier with an iDont, they would no doubt give them the business thus sinking Ma Bell IMO.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:18:48 +0000

That’s a fair interpretation. I do feel that Sprint is rushing these phones to market for a reason.

By: TimB

TimB — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:14:00 +0000

James – “desperately” seems to be an odd choice of adverb there. If Sprint has manufacturers with phones and the 4G network today – why would they not be pushing them?

I think Sprint will be competitive against Verizons LTE for two reasons:
1) Verizon will have to be very aggressive to create the same footprint any time soon,
2) Verizon has already said they will implement usage-based pricing with LTE. If Sprint/Clear can hold-the-line on their current pricing schemes – they will compete well on price.

By: Tark

Tark — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:19:05 +0000

all numbers are not created equal, Sprint has far higher percentage of non-family plan subscribers (which are much more profitable) than VZW or ATT. when you look at actual accounts the gap narrows considerably, but Tmo is still left in the dust.