Sprint to get the iPhone

Looks like next in line to get the iPhone is Sprint.

They've been dying without it, so it appears they will join Verizon &
T-Mobile as the next companies Apple will allow to sell their phones.

Congratulations Sprint!

---------------

Itıs highly probable that a Sprint iPhone will debut before the yearıs
end, according to Shing Yin, an industry analyst at Citadel Securities.

Because Verizon is ending its unlimited data plans Thursday, and because
Sprint features cheaper pricing for comparable plans on AT&T and
Verizon, the carrier ³could offer an attractive proposition for more
price-conscious users (a demographic that we think is increasingly
important to Apple following the rise of Android),² and ³could be a
relatively stronger seller than the Verizon iPhone,² according to Yin.

Yinıs report is careful to mention that he doesnıt think the actual
device will be priced less than an iPhone from a competing carrier ‹
just that Sprintıs service plans cost less.

Expanding to other carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile would help give
Apple a leg up against increasing competition from Android, which by
many reports show it outpacing Apple sales and taking up a large chunk
of the smartphone market.

Now that Appleıs exclusive partnership with AT&T is over, it makes sense
for the company to target the remaining big carriers in the United
States to increase the iPhoneıs presence.

Apple rumors have increasingly focused on the company potentially
releasing a more affordable iPhone for the masses. A statement by Apple
COO Tim Cook saying that the company is ³not ceding any market² seems to
be the catalyst for much of the speculation, including the idea that
there may be two new iPhone models in September. Currently, an unlocked
iPhone 4 without a data plan goes for a whopping $650.

Although Yinıs analysis is primarily speculation based on industry
trends, a May report from AllThingsD from another analyst, Peter Misek,
agrees that Appleıs next iPhone wonıt be limited to AT&T and Verizon.

³Industry checks indicate AAPL has or is about to announce new carrier
deals in time for the holidays with T-Mobile and Sprint,² Misek wrote.
³Additionally, we believe another China carrier could launch the iPhone
in the next 12 months.² On Appleıs last earnings call, management was
asked about launching the CDMA iPhone at other carriers, and responded:
³We are constantly looking and adding where it makes sense, and you can
keep confidence that weıll continue to do that.²

And although competitors Verizon and AT&T would likely be displeased by
Apple sharing the iPhone wealth with other carriers, they would be
³unlikely to attempt to block Sprint from getting the iPhone,² according
to Yin.

Yin also says he wouldnıt rule out T-Mobile from selling the iPhone in
the near future, as well. Since Sprint is the next largest carrier after
Verizon and AT&T, it makes sense that Apple would open the iPhone to
their customer base next. ³I would expect a T-Mobile iPhone soon after,
though,² Yin says.




http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/07/sprint-iphone/

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› See More: Sprint to get the iPhone

On 7/6/2011 10:43 PM, Oxford wrote:
> Looks like next in line to get the iPhone is Sprint.
>
> They've been dying without it, so it appears they will join Verizon&
> T-Mobile as the next companies Apple will allow to sell their phones.
>
> Congratulations Sprint!

Mixed bag, I think... Now it'll be even more likely that Sprint will
institute data caps and tiered pricing.

But it most definitely will create a user boost for them.

On 7/7/2011 5:47 AM, Ryan P. wrote:
> On 7/6/2011 10:43 PM, Oxford wrote:
>> Looks like next in line to get the iPhone is Sprint.
>>
>> They've been dying without it, so it appears they will join Verizon&
>> T-Mobile as the next companies Apple will allow to sell their phones.
>>
>> Congratulations Sprint!
>
> Mixed bag, I think... Now it'll be even more likely that Sprint will
> institute data caps and tiered pricing.
>
> But it most definitely will create a user boost for them.

Probably not much of one.

First, the big gains in iPhone sales have already occurred and now no
one with a grandfathered unlimited plan on AT&T or Verizon is going to
switch to a carrier that has far poorer coverage and that may not be
around for long if the acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T goes through.

Second, Sprint has tried being different in the past with "Fair and
Flexible," "Sprint to Home," and offering SERO to everyone, with little
success.

Third, unlike voice, where there is roaming onto other carrier's
networks (mainly Verizon) that mitigates Sprint's coverage issues, data
coverage will be very limited on Sprint and there is unlikely to be any
data roaming.

Fourth, while unlimited data sounds wonderful in theory, the reality is
that very few uses use even 2GB a month and in fact more than half use
less than 200MB.

Fifth, no business users would ever choose Sprint because their 4G
network is not LTE.

So for those that look only at "unlimited data," without looking at the
big picture, there may be a small boost that comes from being the only
carrier offering unlimited to new customers.

Don't forget, one reason for the elimination of unlimited data by the
other carriers was churn reduction of their least price-sensitive customers.

On 7/7/2011 8:50 AM, SMS wrote:

>> Mixed bag, I think... Now it'll be even more likely that Sprint will
>> institute data caps and tiered pricing.
>>
>> But it most definitely will create a user boost for them.
>
> Probably not much of one.
>
> First, the big gains in iPhone sales have already occurred and now no
> one with a grandfathered unlimited plan on AT&T or Verizon is going to
> switch to a carrier that has far poorer coverage and that may not be
> around for long if the acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T goes through.

Sprint's troubles for years wasn't because of its coverage issues...
it was because of their lack of attractive phones. They have a
fantastic lineup right now.

As for coverage, if you only consider native coverage, yeah, its
poorer. But they have a great roaming agreements. I actually get great
coverage in the middle of the forest up north and fantastic 3G data
speeds while roaming. My Verizon friends, roaming on to the same
signal, are unable to get voice mail notifications.

> Second, Sprint has tried being different in the past with "Fair and
> Flexible," "Sprint to Home," and offering SERO to everyone, with little
> success.

Again, I come back to the point that for years Sprint didn't have
"cool" phones, not to mention a rep for poor customer service. Those
days are over... They have great phones, and

> Third, unlike voice, where there is roaming onto other carrier's
> networks (mainly Verizon) that mitigates Sprint's coverage issues, data
> coverage will be very limited on Sprint and there is unlikely to be any
> data roaming.

I assume you mean 4G data coverage? Currently Sprint has more 4G
coverage than anyone else. They can't roam onto each other, of
course... but at the speed 4G is rolling out (both networks), I don't
think that matters for the next two years or so. AT&T, Verizon, and
Sprint will all have nearly identical 4G coverage in the US.

If you are an international traveler, that might actually change your
service of choice, though.

> Fourth, while unlimited data sounds wonderful in theory, the reality is
> that very few uses use even 2GB a month and in fact more than half use
> less than 200MB.

I question that data. I see it thrown around everywhere. I think
that the wireless companies are incorporating non smart phones into
"average" data usage features.

>
> Fifth, no business users would ever choose Sprint because their 4G
> network is not LTE.

See above. This is irrelevant now (except for international
travelers), and likely will be for the next few years. If a company is
issuing smart phones, one has to believe they are necessary for job
functions, which means more data usage. $20+ per line savings over
Verizon for basically the same coverage (for now), can add up to a lot
of money.

> So for those that look only at "unlimited data," without looking at the
> big picture, there may be a small boost that comes from being the only
> carrier offering unlimited to new customers.

Plus a savings of $20+ per line.

> Don't forget, one reason for the elimination of unlimited data by the
> other carriers was churn reduction of their least price-sensitive
> customers.

Sorry, I don't understand that last paragraph. You are saying that
people who don't care about price are less likely to leave Verizon and
AT&T now because they raised prices? I'm clearly not reading you right.

On 7/7/2011 4:24 PM, Ryan P. wrote:
> On 7/7/2011 8:50 AM, SMS wrote:
>
>>> Mixed bag, I think... Now it'll be even more likely that Sprint will
>>> institute data caps and tiered pricing.
>>>
>>> But it most definitely will create a user boost for them.
>>
>> Probably not much of one.
>>
>> First, the big gains in iPhone sales have already occurred and now no
>> one with a grandfathered unlimited plan on AT&T or Verizon is going to
>> switch to a carrier that has far poorer coverage and that may not be
>> around for long if the acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T goes through.
>
> Sprint's troubles for years wasn't because of its coverage issues.

Maybe that's true in some areas, but in Northern California coverage
issues were a huge issue. The way to solve the coverage issues was to
program your handset to roaming only, but Sprint got rid of that option
in newer handsets. Without that option, the handset will often get
enough of a Sprint signal to not roam onto Verizon, but not enough to
make or receive a call. And the coverage problem is not fixed. Coverage
is fine in urban cores, but it's not fine in suburbs because of so much
NIMBYism when it comes to new towers.

> As for coverage, if you only consider native coverage, yeah, its poorer.
> But they have a great roaming agreements. I actually get great coverage
> in the middle of the forest up north and fantastic 3G data speeds while
> roaming. My Verizon friends, roaming on to the same signal, are unable
> to get voice mail notifications.

So there is unlimited 3G data roaming onto Verizon?

> I question that data. I see it thrown around everywhere. I think that
> the wireless companies are incorporating non smart phones into "average"
> data usage features.

They are not including non-smart phones.

>> Don't forget, one reason for the elimination of unlimited data by the
>> other carriers was churn reduction of their least price-sensitive
>> customers.
>
> Sorry, I don't understand that last paragraph. You are saying that
> people who don't care about price are less likely to leave Verizon and
> AT&T now because they raised prices? I'm clearly not reading you right.

No one with unlimited data would leave AT&T or Verizon now because they
can never come back. These customers are also the early adopters of
smart phones who have willingly paid high monthly rates for data
service. They are stuck with their carrier forever.

On 7/7/2011 7:39 PM, SMS wrote:
> On 7/7/2011 4:24 PM, Ryan P. wrote:

> Maybe that's true in some areas, but in Northern California coverage
> issues were a huge issue. The way to solve the coverage issues was to
> program your handset to roaming only, but Sprint got rid of that option
> in newer handsets. Without that option, the handset will often get
> enough of a Sprint signal to not roam onto Verizon, but not enough to
> make or receive a call. And the coverage problem is not fixed. Coverage
> is fine in urban cores, but it's not fine in suburbs because of so much
> NIMBYism when it comes to new towers.

The roaming issue IS a problem. Sprint needs to adjust their firmware
to let go of the Sprint signal when it becomes unusable for voice
connections. No argument there.

>> As for coverage, if you only consider native coverage, yeah, its poorer.
>> But they have a great roaming agreements. I actually get great coverage
>> in the middle of the forest up north and fantastic 3G data speeds while
>> roaming. My Verizon friends, roaming on to the same signal, are unable
>> to get voice mail notifications.
>
> So there is unlimited 3G data roaming onto Verizon?

I don't know about unlimited. I have never been charged. I
consistently use 300-400MB of roaming data while up north... mostly
while tethered to my laptop to access my work servers.

But I know mobile companies charge each other for use of their
networks via roaming, so if its really a concern, data roaming packages
can be developed and plan options. I don't think its something the
majority of smart phone users would need, though, unless they already
live in a remote area, or frequently travel into remote areas (like
sales people, perhaps).

>> Sorry, I don't understand that last paragraph. You are saying that
>> people who don't care about price are less likely to leave Verizon and
>> AT&T now because they raised prices? I'm clearly not reading you right.
>
> No one with unlimited data would leave AT&T or Verizon now because they
> can never come back. These customers are also the early adopters of
> smart phones who have willingly paid high monthly rates for data
> service. They are stuck with their carrier forever.

No, they are only stuck with that carrier until their phone dies or
becomes obsolete for their needs. Its highly likely that they will
force the new terms on people who upgrade to new phones.

I'm not saying that Verizon/AT&T don't have an advantage because of
the size of their networks, I'm just saying Sprint (if properly managed)
isn't at as much of a DISadvantage as you allude to.

At a $20 savings per line per month, corporate customers would be
foolish not to consider Sprint if the vast majority of their workforce
never leaves the country.

On Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:33:28 -0500, "Ryan P."
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On 7/7/2011 7:39 PM, SMS wrote:
>> On 7/7/2011 4:24 PM, Ryan P. wrote:

>> So there is unlimited 3G data roaming onto Verizon?
>
> I don't know about unlimited. I have never been charged. I
>consistently use 300-400MB of roaming data while up north... mostly
>while tethered to my laptop to access my work servers.

I'm on Verizon unlimited data. There's no extra charge for domestic
data roaming. Likewise no extra charge for text roaming but of course
the text limit still applies. But my voice is around a buck a minute
when roaming so I obviously don't do much talking...

> But I know mobile companies charge each other for use of their
>networks via roaming, so if its really a concern, data roaming packages
>can be developed and plan options.

Course if I were data roaming 11 months out of the year Verizon would
likely call me in for a talk.

>I don't think its something the
>majority of smart phone users would need, though, unless they already
>live in a remote area, or frequently travel into remote areas (like
>sales people, perhaps).

I probably roam up to 1 month a year but I sure do like the data/text
freedom. I love to read hometown news and listen to hometown stations.
And most of the family comms can be handled by text, email and
facebook. Never going back...

On 7/9/2011 6:09 PM, AJL wrote:
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:33:28 -0500, "Ryan P."
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On 7/7/2011 7:39 PM, SMS wrote:
>>> On 7/7/2011 4:24 PM, Ryan P. wrote:
>
>>> So there is unlimited 3G data roaming onto Verizon?
>>
>> I don't know about unlimited. I have never been charged. I
>> consistently use 300-400MB of roaming data while up north... mostly
>> while tethered to my laptop to access my work servers.
>
> I'm on Verizon unlimited data. There's no extra charge for domestic
> data roaming. Likewise no extra charge for text roaming but of course
> the text limit still applies. But my voice is around a buck a minute
> when roaming so I obviously don't do much talking...

Me too. But you must have a really old voice plan or I am misremembering
what was it "Americas choice II" or something like that from long ago
where the PRL they push only allows roaming on a partner? I have never
been to an area that wasn't either native VZW or a partner but I thought
the idea was you could never incur voice roaming since if not native or
a partner the phone would not even let you know service was available.


>
>> But I know mobile companies charge each other for use of their
>> networks via roaming, so if its really a concern, data roaming packages
>> can be developed and plan options.
>
> Course if I were data roaming 11 months out of the year Verizon would
> likely call me in for a talk.
>
>> I don't think its something the
>> majority of smart phone users would need, though, unless they already
>> live in a remote area, or frequently travel into remote areas (like
>> sales people, perhaps).
>
> I probably roam up to 1 month a year but I sure do like the data/text
> freedom. I love to read hometown news and listen to hometown stations.
> And most of the family comms can be handled by text, email and
> facebook. Never going back...

On Sat, 09 Jul 2011 18:20:29 -0400, George <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On 7/9/2011 6:09 PM, AJL wrote:

>> I'm on Verizon unlimited data. There's no extra charge for domestic
>> data roaming. Likewise no extra charge for text roaming but of course
>> the text limit still applies. But my voice is around a buck a minute
>> when roaming so I obviously don't do much talking...
>
>Me too. But you must have a really old voice plan or I am misremembering
>what was it "Americas choice II" or something like that from long ago
>where the PRL they push only allows roaming on a partner? I have never
>been to an area that wasn't either native VZW or a partner but I thought
>the idea was you could never incur voice roaming since if not native or
>a partner the phone would not even let you know service was available.

I'm on an old grandfathered family plan that is no longer offered.
They now call it a Legacy plan on my bill. I get 100 shared minutes
for $15/mo per phone. Total with taxes and fees about $35/mo for 2
phones. I'm sure 100 minutes/mo wouldn't suit most people but I have
never gone over so it works for me. But as I said roaming is
expensive. But even when I've been forced to make short roaming calls
the added expense is seldom more than $20. Even with that added, the
total expense it is still cheaper for me than any current 2 phone plan
available. I'm just hoping they will keep letting me keep the plan
since there is never a guaranty at contract renewal time...

On 7/9/2011 8:33 AM, Ryan P. wrote:

> No, they are only stuck with that carrier until their phone dies or
> becomes obsolete for their needs. Its highly likely that they will force
> the new terms on people who upgrade to new phones.

No it isn't. AT&T has let their unlimited customers continue to receive
new subsidized phones without forcing them onto the newer, poorer,
plans. Verizon has let people continue on old plans for as long as they
desire, and there is no reason to believe that that will change.

> At a $20 savings per line per month, corporate customers would be
> foolish not to consider Sprint if the vast majority of their workforce
> never leaves the country.

It depends if the workforce also sticks to the core of urban areas where
Sprint has good coverage. When you send your employees to all corners of
a county, including rural and suburban areas, Sprint is not a good
choice. Or maybe it is a good corporate choice, because what actually is
that the employees end up using their personal phones when there is no
Sprint coverage. This is _exactly_ what happens at my wife's company
where the field employees have to go to homes in the most remote areas
of the county. They must be getting an incredible deal from Sprint
because at one point they were poised to move everyone to Verizon and it
never happened.

On 7/9/2011 4:09 PM, AJL wrote:
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2011 18:20:29 -0400, George<[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> On 7/9/2011 6:09 PM, AJL wrote:
>
>>> I'm on Verizon unlimited data. There's no extra charge for domestic
>>> data roaming. Likewise no extra charge for text roaming but of course
>>> the text limit still applies. But my voice is around a buck a minute
>>> when roaming so I obviously don't do much talking...
>>
>> Me too. But you must have a really old voice plan or I am misremembering
>> what was it "Americas choice II" or something like that from long ago
>> where the PRL they push only allows roaming on a partner? I have never
>> been to an area that wasn't either native VZW or a partner but I thought
>> the idea was you could never incur voice roaming since if not native or
>> a partner the phone would not even let you know service was available.
>
> I'm on an old grandfathered family plan that is no longer offered.
> They now call it a Legacy plan on my bill. I get 100 shared minutes
> for $15/mo per phone. Total with taxes and fees about $35/mo for 2
> phones. I'm sure 100 minutes/mo wouldn't suit most people but I have
> never gone over so it works for me. But as I said roaming is
> expensive. But even when I've been forced to make short roaming calls
> the added expense is seldom more than $20. Even with that added, the
> total expense it is still cheaper for me than any current 2 phone plan
> available. I'm just hoping they will keep letting me keep the plan
> since there is never a guaranty at contract renewal time...

It was the original America's Choice plan that supposedly charged for
roaming outside of the extended network. I was on that for years. Even
when the indicator on the phone said I was outside the extended network
I was never charged roaming.

When I compared the America's Choice map to the America's Choice II map
the main difference appeared to be that all the analog roaming was gone.
Of course now there is very little analog left in the U.S. so that
wouldn't matter much.

On Sat, 09 Jul 2011 18:11:48 -0700, SMS <[email protected]>
wrote:

>No it isn't. AT&T has let their unlimited customers continue to receive
>new subsidized phones without forcing them onto the newer, poorer,
>plans. Verizon has let people continue on old plans for as long as they
>desire, and there is no reason to believe that that will change.

That's what happened to me, I just never bothered to update my
expired contract, my bill never changed, so I went on forever.

Then I heard (months ago) about July7. No chance to get unlimited
later. I made my move, and ya know the rest. I even opt'ed for
the unlimited text, although I've yet to ever text anyone in my life.

Now, I can surf till I puke, text till I learn how, talk to I choke,
for the next 2 yrs, at a known price, that should go on afterwards
till I'm told otherwise. No way will I be a drain on their network,
I pay the bill on time now for years, and till I need a new free
phone, I can boogie till the cows come home, data/text/voice wise.

This Droid X is weird..need a case, I've dropped it twice, need to
turn
off so much, upload .mp3 ring tones, blah blah blah. Weighs a ton.

Cost: $ 0 USD



JJTj













COMING SOON

FRITZMANIA 2011

www.fritztronics.com

On 7/9/2011 9:36 PM, Luigi Vercotti wrote:

> Then I heard (months ago) about July7. No chance to get unlimited
> later. I made my move, and ya know the rest. I even opt'ed for
> the unlimited text, although I've yet to ever text anyone in my life.
>
> Now, I can surf till I puke, text till I learn how, talk to I choke,
> for the next 2 yrs, at a known price, that should go on afterwards
> till I'm told otherwise. No way will I be a drain on their network,
> I pay the bill on time now for years, and till I need a new free
> phone, I can boogie till the cows come home, data/text/voice wise.

I thought Verizon's "unlimited" plan was really capped at 5GB.

Which is a lot of data, and I'll admit most people wouldn't ever use
that much. But I seem to remember seeing that in the fine print when I
was considering Verizon a few years ago.

On Sat, 09 Jul 2011 22:36:14 -0400, Luigi Vercotti <gentry.con> wrote:

>This Droid X is weird..need a case, I've dropped it twice,

Be careful. I've personally seen a shattered screen on a Droid X. A
very very sad sight indeed...

On Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:57:11 -0500, "Ryan P."
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I thought Verizon's "unlimited" plan was really capped at 5GB.

Yes I think it is. I remember reading all the hoopla about Version's
limited/unlimited plan. IIRC Verizon claimed that using that much data
is no longer considered personal use.

> Which is a lot of data, and I'll admit most people wouldn't ever use
>that much. But I seem to remember seeing that in the fine print when I
>was considering Verizon a few years ago.

The fine print for sure. But IMO anybody that can even come close to
using 5GB on a phone must not have much or a life...