What's This Guy Talking About?

I have been a Sprint PCS customer for about 1-1/2 years now and I am
looking to dump my wired phone service and go wireless, using my cell
phone connected to my laptop via a data cable for internet
access. From what I have read here, Vision is not a viable solution.
I have been looking at Verizon National Access and T-Mobile Internet
which offer digital wireless service for reasonable prices. In looking
around the web I stumbled across this recent message posted in a Yahoo
Group:

"I have Unlimited Anytime data connection with Sprint PCS... not sure
what they are offering these days, but my service includes 300 Daytime
minutes, Unlimited evenings and weekends... for only $29.99 a month and
for only another $10, get the Unlimited Anytime data
connection for the internet at speeds of up to 140kbs... mostly tho, I
get connected at 50 to 60 kbs on their 3G (#777) internet connection."

Can anyone tell me if this guy is for real or is he blowing smoke?

Thanks in advance.
Ted/

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› See More: What's This Guy Talking About?

In article <[email protected]>,
Badaboom <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have been a Sprint PCS customer for about 1-1/2 years now and I am
> looking to dump my wired phone service and go wireless, using my cell
> phone connected to my laptop via a data cable for internet
> access. From what I have read here, Vision is not a viable solution.
> I have been looking at Verizon National Access and T-Mobile Internet
> which offer digital wireless service for reasonable prices. In looking
> around the web I stumbled across this recent message posted in a Yahoo
> Group:
>
> "I have Unlimited Anytime data connection with Sprint PCS... not sure
> what they are offering these days, but my service includes 300 Daytime
> minutes, Unlimited evenings and weekends... for only $29.99 a month and
> for only another $10, get the Unlimited Anytime data
> connection for the internet at speeds of up to 140kbs... mostly tho, I
> get connected at 50 to 60 kbs on their 3G (#777) internet connection."
>
> Can anyone tell me if this guy is for real or is he blowing smoke?

When "Vision" first came out it was $10, so maybe thats all he's paying.
Its now $15/month

SprintPCS has a sort of Dont' Ask, Don't Tell policy for cell phone for
modem use, and if one's use is moderate (whatever that means) it slides
by. If its excessive they'll cut off your Vision.

"Badaboom" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have been a Sprint PCS customer for about 1-1/2 years now and I am
> looking to dump my wired phone service and go wireless, using my cell
> phone connected to my laptop via a data cable for internet
> access. From what I have read here, Vision is not a viable solution.
> I have been looking at Verizon National Access and T-Mobile Internet
> which offer digital wireless service for reasonable prices. In looking
> around the web I stumbled across this recent message posted in a Yahoo
> Group:
>
> "I have Unlimited Anytime data connection with Sprint PCS... not sure
> what they are offering these days, but my service includes 300 Daytime
> minutes, Unlimited evenings and weekends... for only $29.99 a month and
> for only another $10, get the Unlimited Anytime data
> connection for the internet at speeds of up to 140kbs... mostly tho, I
> get connected at 50 to 60 kbs on their 3G (#777) internet connection."
>
> Can anyone tell me if this guy is for real or is he blowing smoke?
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Ted/

As to being for real, yes and no. As to Yes, he's on a prior plan, that's no
longer available for current and new customers. As to his inference he can
tether up his phone to a laptop on an unlimited basis, that's a definitive
NO, per the TOS (terms of service).

SPCS does allow (unofficially) casual usage right now. What's defined as
casual is undefined. Quite a few of us here, do casually tether up (TM) and
haven't had any negative feedback from SPCS ... yet. One of the SPCS who
posts here, unofficially, said that we casual users are under SPCS's radar
right now.

Vision was not designed to replace your regular ISP service, unless you took
one of their specific data plans and use a pcmcia card. On the consumer
side, it's pretty expensive. On the business side (if you can qualify for a
business account), it's expensive, but they do offer unlimited data, via a
pcmcia card, for $80/mo.

Bob

Bob Smith wrote:

> As to being for real, yes and no. As to Yes, he's on a prior plan, that's no
> longer available for current and new customers. As to his inference he can
> tether up his phone to a laptop on an unlimited basis, that's a definitive
> NO, per the TOS (terms of service).
>
> SPCS does allow (unofficially) casual usage right now. What's defined as
> casual is undefined. Quite a few of us here, do casually tether up (TM) and
> haven't had any negative feedback from SPCS ... yet. One of the SPCS who
> posts here, unofficially, said that we casual users are under SPCS's radar
> right now.
>
> Vision was not designed to replace your regular ISP service, unless you took
> one of their specific data plans and use a pcmcia card. On the consumer
> side, it's pretty expensive. On the business side (if you can qualify for a
> business account), it's expensive, but they do offer unlimited data, via a
> pcmcia card, for $80/mo.
>
> Bob
>
Thanks Bob (and Robert M) for taking the time to reply.
Ted/

In article <[email protected]>,
Badaboom <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
> Bob Smith wrote:
>
> > As to being for real, yes and no. As to Yes, he's on a prior plan, that's no
> > longer available for current and new customers. As to his inference he can
> > tether up his phone to a laptop on an unlimited basis, that's a definitive
> > NO, per the TOS (terms of service).
> >
> > SPCS does allow (unofficially) casual usage right now. What's defined as
> > casual is undefined. Quite a few of us here, do casually tether up (TM) and
> > haven't had any negative feedback from SPCS ... yet. One of the SPCS who
> > posts here, unofficially, said that we casual users are under SPCS's radar
> > right now.

Kind of a "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" policy. Officially its totally against
the rules.

"Unlimited PCS Vision plans/options are only available with phones or
PCS smart phones where the device is not being used as a modem in
connection with other equipment (e.g., computers, PDAs, etc.) through
use of connection kits or other phone-to-computer/PDA accessories, or
Bluetooth or other wireless technology."

http://www.sprintpcs.com/common/popu...msPrivacy.html

> >
> > Vision was not designed to replace your regular ISP service, unless you took
> > one of their specific data plans and use a pcmcia card. On the consumer
> > side, it's pretty expensive. On the business side (if you can qualify for a
> > business account), it's expensive, but they do offer unlimited data, via a
> > pcmcia card, for $80/mo.

Bob is correct, but If one clicked the wrong place, the SprintPCS
website would tell you you only get $300 MB for $80

http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/pl...ss_laptop.html

> >
> > Bob
> >
> Thanks Bob (and Robert M) for taking the time to reply.
> Ted/



Elsewhere in too common bad webpage logic, SprintPCS says otherwise:

http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/pr...ited_data.html


"Now, with PCS VisionSM, employees no longer have to wait for a landline
connection. They can do work from anywhere, anytime on the nation's
fastest and largest data network -- and for a limited time, Sprint offers
ALL the wireless data you need for only $80 a month!
On the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, employees will enjoy:

* Fast data speeds averaging 50-70 kbps, with peak speeds of 144kbps
* Secure transmissions
* A simple installation process -- just plug in the PCS Connection Card
and you are working wirelessly
* The most complete nationwide wireless data coverage in the industry
* A simple monthly fee of only $80 for a limited time

This offer is available to new and existing customers adding a new line
of service.

Offers only for corporate-purchased lines and, except as otherwise
provided herein, are subject to the terms of a wireless services
agreement with Sprint. Service Plan: Only includes data usage and
requires PCS connection card from Sprint. Voice calls made with
voice-capable PCS Connection Cards will incur a charge of $0.20 per
minute (roaming charges also apply to calls made off the enhanced Sprint
Nationwide PCS Network). Taxes, surcharges or other fees -- call 1 877
510-3733 for more information. PCS Vision: Sprint may deny or terminate
service without notice where use is in connection with server devices,
host computer applications or other systems that drive continuous heavy
traffic or data sessions, or as substitutes for private lines or frame
relay connections. Unlimited access to company email and server with
advertised plan requires access to company server via a
company-established remote access method. Not available while roaming
off our enhanced PCS network. Premium content not included.
Offers may not be combinable with other promotions and are subject to
change without notice. Additional restrictions apply. Copyright 2003
Sprint Spectrum L. P. All rights reserved. Sprint, PCS Vision, PCS
Connection Card and the diamond logo are trademarks of Sprint
Communications Company L.P. Any and all other marks are the property of
their respective owners."