Sprint to Officially Switch to Tiered Data for Mobile Hotspot and Mobile Broadband [Smartphones Next?]
It’s been rumored for quite some time that Sprint would be switching to capped data for their mobile hotspot users (those using their phones as WiFi hotspots for other devices) but it’s now and official. And more than that, it looks like the fun (or the lack thereof) will be spreading to 4G mobile broadband users, those who use data cards and dedicated hotspot devices.
Simply put, you’ll have either 3GB, 5GB, or 10GB of allowed data, though going over those amounts on your respective plan will cost you mucho dinero. Details can be found in the chart above where Sprint had the common decency to break it down for all their customers to see (or weep at).
So the question remains – when are smartphones getting the treatment? Although much has been said about Sprint’s willingness to stick with unlimited data in order to separate themselves from the competition, their recent actions suggest it won’t be much longer before all that has gone the way of the dodo.
As Sprint gears up to launch their LTE network in the middle of next year, they may be moved to distance themselves from the very philosophy that has many sticking with them through the rough patches.
Perhaps it’s due to the iPhone 4S’ launch. Recent reports have suggested that Sprint’s network has unsurprisingly worsened since the iPhone 4S launched. Data speeds were already pathetic so they probably have no choice but to attempt to decongest speeds this way until their network vision upgrades are complete.
In any case, I’d be worried about the future of unlimited data on Sprint regardless of what they say in ads, official statements and press releases. No one ever really wants to say they’re bringing the cat out of the bag until they actually do it. [via, source]