Conflicting Info From Sprint - What's The Real Story?

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

I am considering switching to Sprint and signing up for the Free &
Clear 300-minute plan. I have been given conflicting info on a few
points by different Sprint Reps (internet, Cust Serv, and Sprint Store
via phone). So I thought I'd turn to actual users to try to get the
real story.

First, I've been trying to find out what my average total monthly bill
would be assuming I use the phone for nothing but calls (no 411, no
web or data services or other add-on options or services), do not
roam, and do not go over my monthly minutes allotment. Of course the
base price is $35/month, but the estimates I've been given for the
total monthly taxes+fees+other surcharges are $7, $15 (!), and a
refusal to even "guesstimate". I know this can vary some by state and
municipality, but I'd appreciate any ballpark estimates.

Second, one rep told me that it is impossible to use any phone's
voice-dial capability without subscribing to "Sprint PCS Voice
Command" at an additional $5/month. This has *got* to be wrong, but
I'd appreciate a confirmation.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Rick

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Rick <probabilities@email.com> wrote:

> First, I've been trying to find out what my average total monthly bill
> would be assuming I use the phone for nothing but calls (no 411, no
> web or data services or other add-on options or services), do not
> roam, and do not go over my monthly minutes allotment. Of course the
> base price is $35/month, but the estimates I've been given for the
> total monthly taxes+fees+other surcharges are $7, $15 (!), and a
> refusal to even "guesstimate". I know this can vary some by state and
> municipality, but I'd appreciate any ballpark estimates.

Somwhere between $5 and $7 per month in taxes and surcharges both here
in Southern California and back in the Cleveland, Ohio metro area where we
used to live.

> Second, one rep told me that it is impossible to use any phone's
> voice-dial capability without subscribing to "Sprint PCS Voice
> Command" at an additional $5/month. This has *got* to be wrong, but
> I'd appreciate a confirmation.

Uh, it's wrong. Voice Command, I believe, offers a couple features that
most phones don't have, but not paying for it doesn't mean you can't use what
your phone is equipped with.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / sjsobol@JustThe.net
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"Rick" <probabilities@email.com> wrote in message
news:6fdfe3c2.0406292139.53a26682@posting.google.com...
> I am considering switching to Sprint and signing up for the Free &
> Clear 300-minute plan. I have been given conflicting info on a few
> points by different Sprint Reps (internet, Cust Serv, and Sprint Store
> via phone). So I thought I'd turn to actual users to try to get the
> real story.

I concur with others, taxes and miscel fees add on another 15 ot 20%.

Conflicting info on rate plans is normal for Sprint, you are wise to poll
different reps. Coming here may or may not be much help, everyone has vastly
different experiences with Sprint..

One thing I would make sure you get the skinny on is the difference between
Free and Clear and Free and Clear America, they are NOT the same thing.
Also poll the reps closely on when exactly you can get nailed on roaming
charges, even when you think you are signing up for a plan that, supposedly,
does not have any roaming charges.

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <orac-A35639.21320530062004@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net>,
orac@mac.com says...
> That's certainly not true. I have a Samsung A500, and it has voice dial
> capability that doesn't depend on any service of Sprint's.
>

Exactly. If your phone does something without dialing anything, or
connecting to some service on the network, we do not charge for it.
I suppose it's possible we might, someday. But we definitely do not
now.

And the built in voice dialing meets that guideline. On some phones,
you activate it by pressing TALK, but no actual number is dialed.

--
RØß
O/Siris
I work for Sprint PCS
I *don't* speak for them

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

O/Siris <0siris@spr?ntpcs.com> wrote:
> In article <orac-A35639.21320530062004@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net>,
> orac@mac.com says...
>> That's certainly not true. I have a Samsung A500, and it has voice dial
>> capability that doesn't depend on any service of Sprint's.
>>
>
> Exactly. If your phone does something without dialing anything, or
> connecting to some service on the network, we do not charge for it.
> I suppose it's possible we might, someday. But we definitely do not
> now.
>
> And the built in voice dialing meets that guideline. On some phones,
> you activate it by pressing TALK, but no actual number is dialed.

You can't determine whether someone voice-dialed a number or keyed it in.

Unless, of course, you modify the phone's firmware somehow.

It can be done, but I don't think Sprint's that stupid.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / sjsobol@JustThe.net
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

ddm46@att.net wrote:

> I think O/Siris' point was that no, Sprint does NOT charge for voice
> dial if it is a built in function of the phone that does not access
> Sprint's services to accomplish the dial itself.

Yes, it was, but I wonder what his other comment was about.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / sjsobol@JustThe.net
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.