T&C on PCS Wi-Fi Access

Regarding the promotional snail-mailer I recently received announcing
the free trial of PCS Wi-Fi Access:

In the terms and conditions at https://wifi.sprintpcs.com/terms/ ,
they have the following statement:

<<<
You agree to abide by all applicable local, state, national and
international laws and regulations and are solely responsible for all
acts or omissions that occur under your username or password,
including the content of your transmissions through Wi-Fi Access. By
way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:

....

d. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any
non-personal purpose;
>>>

What is that supposed to mean? That I can't use Sprint PCS WiFi for
commercial purposes? Then how am I supposed to do work supporting my
business, supposedly like all the people in the nice pretty
photographs on the advertising circular are doing? This clause, and
other obsfucated T&C's in the industry like this, are completely
meaningless***.

Another clause prohibits surveys or "duplicative" messages:

<<<
By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:

a. Use Wi-Fi Access in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid
schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or
unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise);
>>>

IANAS** but I occasionally send surveys or "duplicative" messages to
our consulting clients - so this puts me in the doghouse with Sprint?

Apparently there's the problem of them only saying simply: "you can't
spam" and have that be it - because no one can agree on an iron clad
definition of spam - so they just throw everything they can think of
plus the whole kitchen sink in there***.

I've written pretty much this same letter to Sprint and they claim
they'll reply within 48 hours - I will post the ignorebot response I
get as soon as it comes in.

Do Sprint even enforce these types of T&C's?




** I am not a spammer
*** F---'in lawyers

---

› See More: T&C on PCS Wi-Fi Access

I got the same flyer. I am wondering where online they show they have
hotspots??? Does anyone have a list of their hotspot locations??


"Jim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Regarding the promotional snail-mailer I recently received announcing
> the free trial of PCS Wi-Fi Access:
>
> In the terms and conditions at https://wifi.sprintpcs.com/terms/ ,
> they have the following statement:
>
> <<<
> You agree to abide by all applicable local, state, national and
> international laws and regulations and are solely responsible for all
> acts or omissions that occur under your username or password,
> including the content of your transmissions through Wi-Fi Access. By
> way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
>
> ...
>
> d. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any
> non-personal purpose;
> >>>
>
> What is that supposed to mean? That I can't use Sprint PCS WiFi for
> commercial purposes? Then how am I supposed to do work supporting my
> business, supposedly like all the people in the nice pretty
> photographs on the advertising circular are doing? This clause, and
> other obsfucated T&C's in the industry like this, are completely
> meaningless***.
>
> Another clause prohibits surveys or "duplicative" messages:
>
> <<<
> By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
>
> a. Use Wi-Fi Access in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid
> schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or
> unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise);
> >>>
>
> IANAS** but I occasionally send surveys or "duplicative" messages to
> our consulting clients - so this puts me in the doghouse with Sprint?
>
> Apparently there's the problem of them only saying simply: "you can't
> spam" and have that be it - because no one can agree on an iron clad
> definition of spam - so they just throw everything they can think of
> plus the whole kitchen sink in there***.
>
> I've written pretty much this same letter to Sprint and they claim
> they'll reply within 48 hours - I will post the ignorebot response I
> get as soon as it comes in.
>
> Do Sprint even enforce these types of T&C's?
>
>
>
>
> ** I am not a spammer
> *** F---'in lawyers

Try this link

http://tinyurl.com/v6qf

....

"Kash76" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:OsDtb.164000$9E1.834030@attbi_s52...
> I got the same flyer. I am wondering where online they show they have
> hotspots??? Does anyone have a list of their hotspot locations??
>
>
> "Jim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Regarding the promotional snail-mailer I recently received announcing
> > the free trial of PCS Wi-Fi Access:
> >
> > In the terms and conditions at https://wifi.sprintpcs.com/terms/ ,
> > they have the following statement:
> >
> > <<<
> > You agree to abide by all applicable local, state, national and
> > international laws and regulations and are solely responsible for all
> > acts or omissions that occur under your username or password,
> > including the content of your transmissions through Wi-Fi Access. By
> > way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
> >
> > ...
> >
> > d. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any
> > non-personal purpose;
> > >>>
> >
> > What is that supposed to mean? That I can't use Sprint PCS WiFi for
> > commercial purposes? Then how am I supposed to do work supporting my
> > business, supposedly like all the people in the nice pretty
> > photographs on the advertising circular are doing? This clause, and
> > other obsfucated T&C's in the industry like this, are completely
> > meaningless***.
> >
> > Another clause prohibits surveys or "duplicative" messages:
> >
> > <<<
> > By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
> >
> > a. Use Wi-Fi Access in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid
> > schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or
> > unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise);
> > >>>
> >
> > IANAS** but I occasionally send surveys or "duplicative" messages to
> > our consulting clients - so this puts me in the doghouse with Sprint?
> >
> > Apparently there's the problem of them only saying simply: "you can't
> > spam" and have that be it - because no one can agree on an iron clad
> > definition of spam - so they just throw everything they can think of
> > plus the whole kitchen sink in there***.
> >
> > I've written pretty much this same letter to Sprint and they claim
> > they'll reply within 48 hours - I will post the ignorebot response I
> > get as soon as it comes in.
> >
> > Do Sprint even enforce these types of T&C's?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ** I am not a spammer
> > *** F---'in lawyers
>
>

Jim <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> d. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any
> non-personal purpose;
>>>>
>
> What is that supposed to mean?

Probably means you're not allowed to use your wifi connection to
spam a million people's e-mail boxes or send Windows Messenger Service
popup spam or stuff like that.

> IANAS** but I occasionally send surveys or "duplicative" messages to
> our consulting clients - so this puts me in the doghouse with Sprint?

It's probably aimed at spammers, but they could come up with a better
definition of spam than what they have. Other ISP's have done it; so can
they.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services
22674 Motnocab Road * Apple Valley, CA 92307-1950
Steve Sobol, Proprietor
888.480.4NET (4638) * 248.724.4NET * [email protected]

I suspect they want to protect themselves from SPAMMERS and SCAMMERS clogging
up their bandwidth.

Didn't SprintPCS buy Boingo Wireless or became a partner. I'd assume the
coverage is the same as Boingo.


"Kash76" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:OsDtb.164000$9E1.834030@attbi_s52...
> I got the same flyer. I am wondering where online they show they have
> hotspots??? Does anyone have a list of their hotspot locations??
>
>
> "Jim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Regarding the promotional snail-mailer I recently received announcing
> > the free trial of PCS Wi-Fi Access:
> >
> > In the terms and conditions at https://wifi.sprintpcs.com/terms/ ,
> > they have the following statement:
> >
> > <<<
> > You agree to abide by all applicable local, state, national and
> > international laws and regulations and are solely responsible for all
> > acts or omissions that occur under your username or password,
> > including the content of your transmissions through Wi-Fi Access. By
> > way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
> >
> > ...
> >
> > d. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any
> > non-personal purpose;
> > >>>
> >
> > What is that supposed to mean? That I can't use Sprint PCS WiFi for
> > commercial purposes? Then how am I supposed to do work supporting my
> > business, supposedly like all the people in the nice pretty
> > photographs on the advertising circular are doing? This clause, and
> > other obsfucated T&C's in the industry like this, are completely
> > meaningless***.
> >
> > Another clause prohibits surveys or "duplicative" messages:
> >
> > <<<
> > By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
> >
> > a. Use Wi-Fi Access in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid
> > schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or
> > unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise);
> > >>>
> >
> > IANAS** but I occasionally send surveys or "duplicative" messages to
> > our consulting clients - so this puts me in the doghouse with Sprint?
> >
> > Apparently there's the problem of them only saying simply: "you can't
> > spam" and have that be it - because no one can agree on an iron clad
> > definition of spam - so they just throw everything they can think of
> > plus the whole kitchen sink in there***.
> >
> > I've written pretty much this same letter to Sprint and they claim
> > they'll reply within 48 hours - I will post the ignorebot response I
> > get as soon as it comes in.
> >
> > Do Sprint even enforce these types of T&C's?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ** I am not a spammer
> > *** F---'in lawyers
>
>

In article <[email protected]>,=20
[email protected] says...
> Didn't SprintPCS buy Boingo Wireless or became a partner. I'd assume the
> coverage is the same as Boingo.
>=20
>=20
> "Kash76" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:OsDtb.164000$9E1.834030@attbi_s52...
> > I got the same flyer. I am wondering where online they show they have
> > hotspots??? Does anyone have a list of their hotspot locations??
>=20

http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/pr...rvices/data/wi
fi/locator.html

From the main SPCS web page, click on Business Center, then=20
"Voice and Data", then "PCS Wi-Fi Access", then=20
"Locations."

--=20
-+-
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for SprintPCS
I *don't* speak for them.

http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/pr...i/locator.html

is now at

http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/pr...ifi/index.html
======================
Strange they don't mention Macintosh, since Apple Macintosh computers have had
802.11b capability built in for about 5 years now, and were first in the
Industry to have it built in. Apple used Agere/Lucent/Orinoco/WaveLan hardware
in its "Airport" wireless products, and years ago had firmware updates to make
them 100% WiFi compatible when that standard was promulgated.
===
Apple now uses 802.11g which can be 5 times faster, but is fully backward
compatible with 802.11b.

So here is SprintPCS' reply by email to my original query posted here.
It's awfully nice that 'Betty V.' sounded concerned enough to say
that SPCS wants to 'personally' talk to me regarding this - I'm
invited to call the front-line customer service phone number (instead
of 'personally' being able to talk to 'Betty V'****). Surely the
'specialist' at the main CS number will have no specific knowledge of
this particular email/issue and probably won't care? What should I
reasonably expect a front line CS 'specialist' will even be able to
"do" or even say about T&C other than repeating scripted drivel? This
response is nothing more than a brush-off, and it's purely laughable.


**** 'Betty V.' is probably a bot anyway

>>
Dear Jim,

This is in response to your concern regarding the PCS Wi-fi Access.

We would personally like to talk to you regarding this issue.
Please contact us by dialing 1-888-211-4727 from a landline phone.
Our specialists will be glad to assist you.

I appreciate your cooperation in this regard.

Betty V.
eCare

Sprint strives to provide you with the best customer service
possible. Based on your experience with this particular interaction,
please take a few minutes to fill out a customer satisfaction survey
by selecting the link below. Thank you very much.

https://esurvey.advanis.ca/ecare/

Need to get a phone number or information? Just dial 411 on your PCS
Phone to access a variety of convenient services.

PCS Directory Assistance simplifies your life. Get phone numbers,
theatre locations, show times, driving directions, local event
information, and much more.
For only $1.25 per call, plus airtime, get up to three phone numbers
or requests answered and get connected to a number at no additional
charge.


[no flames for top posting - I don't care]

[email protected] (Jim) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Regarding the promotional snail-mailer I recently received announcing
> the free trial of PCS Wi-Fi Access:
>
> In the terms and conditions at https://wifi.sprintpcs.com/terms/ ,
> they have the following statement:
>
> <<<
> You agree to abide by all applicable local, state, national and
> international laws and regulations and are solely responsible for all
> acts or omissions that occur under your username or password,
> including the content of your transmissions through Wi-Fi Access. By
> way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
>
> ...
>
> d. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any
> non-personal purpose;
> >>>
>
> What is that supposed to mean? That I can't use Sprint PCS WiFi for
> commercial purposes? Then how am I supposed to do work supporting my
> business, supposedly like all the people in the nice pretty
> photographs on the advertising circular are doing? This clause, and
> other obsfucated T&C's in the industry like this, are completely
> meaningless***.
>
> Another clause prohibits surveys or "duplicative" messages:
>
> <<<
> By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
>
> a. Use Wi-Fi Access in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid
> schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or
> unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise);
> >>>
>
> IANAS** but I occasionally send surveys or "duplicative" messages to
> our consulting clients - so this puts me in the doghouse with Sprint?
>
> Apparently there's the problem of them only saying simply: "you can't
> spam" and have that be it - because no one can agree on an iron clad
> definition of spam - so they just throw everything they can think of
> plus the whole kitchen sink in there***.
>
> I've written pretty much this same letter to Sprint and they claim
> they'll reply within 48 hours - I will post the ignorebot response I
> get as soon as it comes in.
>
> Do Sprint even enforce these types of T&C's?
>
>
>
>
> ** I am not a spammer
> *** F---'in lawyers

In article <[email protected]>,=20
DSL [email protected] says...
> Strange they don't mention Macintosh,
>=20

Not really, if you look at our history with Mac. I think=20
we've stopped supporting that with Connection Manager for=20
some time now. I doubt we'd *now* add Mac support back in.

--=20
-+-
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for SprintPCS
I *don't* speak for them.

> I doubt we'd *now* add Mac support back in.

But the point is that's its less than trivial to upport Macs for Wifi as they
all now have their antennas built in, and Apple has been supporting it for 5
years already. You're just refusing to accept customers for whom zero real
support would be required.

In article <[email protected]>,=20
DSL [email protected] says...
> But the point is that's its less than trivial to upport Macs for Wifi as =
they
> all now have their antennas built in,
>=20

True, but I don't think support is the issue. We'd have to=20
redevelop PCS Connection Manager for the Mac, and, at less=20
than 10% of the PC market, and perhaps even less of the PCS=20
market, our developers (or the managers who run them) don't=20
see a real benefit to adding that in. Or, at least, not=20
*enough* benefit for the cost.

But I'm speculating on this.

--=20
-+-
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for SprintPCS
I *don't* speak for them.

Looks like Sprint PCS Wi-Fi hot-spots are same as "Wayport" hot-spots.
(Much less than Boingo)

Troubleshooting web page even shows "Wayport_Access" SSID !
http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/pr...eshooting.html

Maybe Sprint has stake in Wayport?


"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> Didn't SprintPCS buy Boingo Wireless or became a partner. I'd assume the
> coverage is the same as Boingo.
>
>
> "Kash76" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:OsDtb.164000$9E1.834030@attbi_s52...
> > I got the same flyer. I am wondering where online they show they have
> > hotspots??? Does anyone have a list of their hotspot locations??
> >
> >
> > "Jim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > Regarding the promotional snail-mailer I recently received announcing
> > > the free trial of PCS Wi-Fi Access:
> > >
> > > In the terms and conditions at https://wifi.sprintpcs.com/terms/ ,
> > > they have the following statement:
> > >
> > > <<<
> > > You agree to abide by all applicable local, state, national and
> > > international laws and regulations and are solely responsible for all
> > > acts or omissions that occur under your username or password,
> > > including the content of your transmissions through Wi-Fi Access. By
> > > way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
> > >
> > > ...
> > >
> > > d. Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any
> > > non-personal purpose;
> > > >>>
> > >
> > > What is that supposed to mean? That I can't use Sprint PCS WiFi for
> > > commercial purposes? Then how am I supposed to do work supporting my
> > > business, supposedly like all the people in the nice pretty
> > > photographs on the advertising circular are doing? This clause, and
> > > other obsfucated T&C's in the industry like this, are completely
> > > meaningless***.
> > >
> > > Another clause prohibits surveys or "duplicative" messages:
> > >
> > > <<<
> > > By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to:
> > >
> > > a. Use Wi-Fi Access in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid
> > > schemes, chain letters, junk email, spamming or any duplicative or
> > > unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise);
> > > >>>
> > >
> > > IANAS** but I occasionally send surveys or "duplicative" messages to
> > > our consulting clients - so this puts me in the doghouse with Sprint?
> > >
> > > Apparently there's the problem of them only saying simply: "you can't
> > > spam" and have that be it - because no one can agree on an iron clad
> > > definition of spam - so they just throw everything they can think of
> > > plus the whole kitchen sink in there***.
> > >
> > > I've written pretty much this same letter to Sprint and they claim
> > > they'll reply within 48 hours - I will post the ignorebot response I
> > > get as soon as it comes in.
> > >
> > > Do Sprint even enforce these types of T&C's?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ** I am not a spammer
> > > *** F---'in lawyers
> >
> >
>
>

Macintosh market penetration is different from Macintosh market penetration of
the laptop market, and then the 802.11b laptop market has even a fuller
Macintosh presence, as Macintosh has had 802.11b built in for 5 years now.

And even using the 10% figure, SprintPCS as a money losing outfit shouldn't so
cavalierly dismiss the chance to add customers.

Macintosh has had 802.11b BUILT-IN for 5 years, it requires no extra software
from SprintPCS to work, unlike PCs where it's an add-on and needs extra
"Connection Manager" software. A Macintosh laptop can trivially connect to a
Hotspot without "Support", just needs to know the WAP name and password if any.
Thus if SprintPCS didn't dismiss Macintosh users, it could sell it's Hotspot
service to them with virtually no support required.

In article <[email protected]>,=20
DSL [email protected] says...
> And even using the 10% figure, SprintPCS as a money losing outfit shouldn=
't so
> cavalierly dismiss the chance to add customers.=20
>=20

the fact that they might be "dismissed", Phil, does not=20
mean it was done cavalierly. You may be right, but you've=20
got absolutely no basis in fact for declaring it so.

--=20
-+-
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for SprintPCS
I *don't* speak for them.