Develop Bugs

For those who like to data roam...

So I got home today and checked my mailbox. Inside was a love letter from sprint complaining about how I'm using "an unusual amount of roaming data" over the past 6 months and how I should adjust my usage habits to comply with their limits.
Wanna know what my AVERAGE roaming data use was over the past 6 months? I did, too, so I went to the Sprint website and looked it up.
Over the past 12 months, my average ON-network data use was 329MB/month.
Over the same period, my average ROAMING data use was 87MB/month. My highest amount of roaming data was in November at 529MB. In December I had 363MB. I haven't exceeded 300MB any other time in the past 12 months, and most likely no other time in the past 10 years with Sprint!
Somehow, in their minds, I am "in violation of the terms and conditions by consistently exceeding the roaming limits" of my contract.
I hardly ever roam, and I get nailed right away. Other people here use several GB of roaming data, and do it for months and months with nary a peep from Sprint.
WTF?

I been with Sprint about two years and use roaming data every month, I'd say around 200 to 300 megs typically. That's weird they singled you out like that.

I roam like 5gbs a month for 3 months I'm still here no letter.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Dalmus said:
Wanna know what my AVERAGE roaming data use was over the past 6 months? I did, too, so I went to the Sprint website and looked it up.
Over the past 12 months, my average ON-network data use was 329MB/month.
Over the same period, my average ROAMING data use was 87MB/month. My highest amount of roaming data was in November at 529MB. In December I had 363MB. I haven't exceeded 300MB any other time in the past 12 months, and most likely no other time in the past 10 years with Sprint!
WTF?
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When I first got my SGS2 in October, I remember having tons of problems staying on network over the 4 miles I travel during the day (home - work - etc) and would almost constantly be roaming data. I initiated a chat online just to verify that my plan included unlimited data roaming so I didn't end up with a crazy bill. Towards the end of the chat, the rep said something to the effect of "Unlimited, as long as you don't exceed 20% of your total data usage". To which I replied that they need to work on the data coverage (sparse 3g, no 4g) in this market area for that to even be possible. Unfortunately I didn't have the log sent to me.
I've been exceeding this threshold ever month since and I haven't received any nasty-grams. Hopefully I won't because my off network is 80%. Sorry I can't answer your WTF....I'm still scratching my head on how 20% = unlimited.

speedracersdead said:
When I first got my SGS2 in October, I remember having tons of problems staying on network over the 4 miles I travel during the day (home - work - etc) and would almost constantly be roaming data. I initiated a chat online just to verify that my plan included unlimited data roaming so I didn't end up with a crazy bill. Towards the end of the chat, the rep said something to the effect of "Unlimited, as long as you don't exceed 20% of your total data usage". To which I replied that they need to work on the data coverage (sparse 3g, no 4g) in this market area for that to even be possible. Unfortunately I didn't have the log sent to me.
I've been exceeding this threshold ever month since and I haven't received any nasty-grams. Hopefully I won't because my off network is 80%. Sorry I can't answer your WTF....I'm still scratching my head on how 20% = unlimited.
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Now THAT is interesting... if 20% of total data usage is really their bar, then that explains the letter. Although if that's the case, that means I'm being penalized for spending the majority of my time on wifi.
Month: On-Network / Roaming
Oct: 845,774KB / 37,814KB = 4%
Nov: 1,067,868KB / 529,707KB = 50%
Dec: 342,044KB / 363,405KB = 106%
Jan: 235,102KB / 78,215KB = 33%
However, as you can see, I am in NO way what you would consider a data hog. I spend the vast majority of my time on wifi at work and at home.
I just got a reply back from customer service, and after parsing the bad English, they claim I exceeded the limits in Nov - Jan. I clearly did not exceed 300MB in January.
I think I may have to initiate on online chat... I will still likely have to parse the bad English (or at the very least ask the question 4 different ways so they understand), but at least I should get an answer on how they actual determine me to be a roaming abuser.

I manage a store in Cleveland.
If you look closely in the plan booklet (yea I know, its the small print ) it states that for roaming you are "limited to 300 MB/mo. or a majority of kilobytes".
Even though your not using much data in roaming, your probably using a majority of your data in roaming.
I didn't read through all of the details in your post to see if this is the case, but this is something that I have seen in the past so I figured I'd post the info.

Dalmus said:
Although if that's the case, that means I'm being penalized for spending the majority of my time on wifi.
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No. Wi-fi is not counted towards the data usage in question. On-Network, obviously, is Sprint data usage. Roaming data usage is only counted if the data used is being pulled from a Sprint roaming partner, usually Verizon (though in some areas it may be another carrier). The reason they are strict about roaming data is because they have to pay the partner for the usage, and so try to minimize the cost by having the option to cancel contracts if roaming usage is excessive.
Using wi-fi, be it at home or in a coffee shop, hospital, etc., does not use any cellular data and does not count towards any data usage on Sprint's end. When the usage is calculated, they look to make sure that:
a) You have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, and
b) If you have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, that your roaming data does not exceed your on-network data.
Personally, I don't know how often they calculate data or how they determine if a person needs a letter. I live in a spotty coverage area, but am careful not to use data if I'm roaming, because Sprint is the lesser evil where I am.

speedracersdead said:
....I'm still scratching my head on how 20% = unlimited.
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Nowhere does it say "unlimited roaming", it says "free roaming" (which isn't free for them) and "unlimited Sprint Network data".
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

darthstewie said:
No. Wi-fi is not counted towards the data usage in question. On-Network, obviously, is Sprint data usage. Roaming data usage is only counted if the data used is being pulled from a Sprint roaming partner, usually Verizon (though in some areas it may be another carrier). The reason they are strict about roaming data is because they have to pay the partner for the usage, and so try to minimize the cost by having the option to cancel contracts if roaming usage is excessive.
Using wi-fi, be it at home or in a coffee shop, hospital, etc., does not use any cellular data and does not count towards any data usage on Sprint's end. When the usage is calculated, they look to make sure that:
a) You have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, and
b) If you have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, that your roaming data does not exceed your on-network data.
Personally, I don't know how often they calculate data or how they determine if a person needs a letter. I live in a spotty coverage area, but am careful not to use data if I'm roaming, because Sprint is the lesser evil where I am.
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Read for clarity, not just the verbiage, before you go into such a long winded reply. He was saying he's being penalized, because his WiFi usage, keeps his on-network data usage down, causing him to exceed more than 20%.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the info, guys. I do know that they have the "300MB or majority of KB" in their fine print. I'm just annoyed that I got singled out with such a low usage level, when there are clearly others costing them far more money.
Here is the relevant part of the transcript from my chat session. (I did edit out portions where he told me helpful things like "let me show you how to track your data usage" in response to the first statement by my below).
You: Okay. I understand that I did indeed exceed the 300MB usage over the course of two months. However, an email response from
customer service also claimed I exceeded the 300MB cap in January. According to the Sprint.com website, by usage was only 76MB.
Raymond D: I am happy to assist you by locating that information.
You: I want to know if there is a ratio of "on network" to "roaming" that I need to maintain. For example, if my roaming usage is only 10% of ALL my data usage, but still exceeds 300MB, am I safe?
Raymond D: Yes, you are safe in this case.
Raymond D: Also, we will notify you in case you exceeds your limit in future.
Raymond D: Will that be fine with you?
You: I don't mind being alerted. I was offended that I was threatened with account termination when I use far less 3G than the average Sprint smartphone user.
Raymond D: This was for the connection card plan.
Raymond D: However with phone data plan unlimited data roaming is included.
You: Are you saying that I received the warning letter in error?
You: (I do not have a connection card)
Raymond D: Your plan includes unlimited data roaming .
Raymond D: Please do not worry no additional charges will be charged.
You: So if I exceed 300,000KB of data roaming on my phone, I am *NOT* in violation of any limits as long as the majority of my 3G data is on-network?
Raymond D: Yes.
You: I just want to be clear, as the ecare representative AND the letter stated that there is a 300MB limit on data roaming, no exceptions.
Raymond D: I understand.
Raymond D: Please be assured and do not worry no additional charges will be charged.
Raymond D: Also, the letter which you receive please send the copy of the same letter to us so that we will investigate the issue for you.
You: I understand I will not be charged. And my account will not be terminated if I exceed 300MB in data roaming as long as the majority of my data usage is on-network.
Raymond D: Yes, you are correct.
You: Thank you very much for clearing this up.
Raymond D: You're welcome.

azyouthinkeyeiz said:
Nowhere does it say "unlimited roaming", it says "free roaming" (which isn't free for them) and "unlimited Sprint Network data".
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
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I'm actually one of the people here that has been knocked in the past for criticizing the 00001.prl folks. Yes, I use Roam Control with 11115.prl, but I actually only use it when Sprint's network truly fails me. The proof of that is the fact that my average roaming usage is 76MB/month over the past 12 months.
And while the chat guy said unlimited data roaming is included on my plan, I know that there is the '*' that says "while on the Sprint network.
That's why I specifically ignored "unlimited roaming" and specified "as long as the majority of data is on-network."

well at least you have something to fight back with if it should ever come down to it and you wanted to stay.

patrao_n said:
well at least you have something to fight back with if it should ever come down to it and you wanted to stay.
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I like to call Sprint the lesser of the evils, like another poster said.
I have land in Northern Wisconsin where Sprint is the only reliable national carrier. Verizon gets roaming voice service, but no data (not even to get notification of voice mails). Its a former Alltel service area, but Verizon had to divest it to Cellcom when they purchased Alltel. So, I'm one of the lucky few that can get "legitimate" 3G roaming without any PRL tricks when I go on vacation.
AT&T and T-Mobile don't even get voice service there. US Cellular works well, but they are even more expensive than Verizon, and not national.
I know Sprint will do what they want to do, but I don't have to go quietly if they do something I don't like.

azyouthinkeyeiz said:
Nowhere does it say "unlimited roaming", it says "free roaming" (which isn't free for them) and "unlimited Sprint Network data".
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
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When I log into my account and check my data usage, it says Data Roaming: Current XXXXXX MB, Remaining: Unlimited. However I was informed that there was a ratio/limit to unlimited. [edit: nevermind, I see what everyone is talking about] I understand the reasoning behind the ratio in business practice, but I cannot meet the ratio based on the signals available where I live, work, and play as I am constantly roaming with no change to my PRL, etc. I use wifi at home, and roam on whatever network I get when out and about. I guess I'm going to get one of these letters when I hit 6 months with this phone (march).

speedracersdead said:
When I log into my account and check my data usage, it says Data Roaming: Current XXXXXX MB, Remaining: Unlimited. However I was informed that there was a ratio/limit to unlimited. [edit: nevermind, I see what everyone is talking about] I understand the reasoning behind the ratio in business practice, but I cannot meet the ratio based on the signals available where I live, work, and play as I am constantly roaming with no change to my PRL, etc. I use wifi at home, and roam on whatever network I get when out and about. I guess I'm going to get one of these letters when I hit 6 months with this phone (march).
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Given my virtually non-existent data roaming prior to getting this phone (other than obvious spikes where I was up north), I'm forced to consider two options:
1) My Samsung Moment had a MUCH better radio, and I was able to pull in Sprint 3G data more consistently when I wasn't on WiFi (same 11115 prl I'm using now).
2) Sprint has lost a significant amount of network coverage starting around August of last year.
Neither prospect is very appealing!

How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

abhaxus said:
How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I take it you didnt like my atitude

abhaxus said:
How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Sounds like a McDonald's in the hood.

abhaxus said:
How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I cannot count how many times I've had this happen. Even had a guy call Customer Service, complain that we were rude, and wouldn't let his kid use the bathroom (even though there is a big sign that says "No Public Restroom"). He just walked into the back of the store and would not understand why that was a security measure (the office where contracts are stored is adjoining the bathroom), and then used this experience to try to get out of his contract. All the while yelling and cussing, and we did nothing but apologize and ask him to try to keep his cool. He said at one point, "I pay Sprint so much money for my cell service, I just wanted to use the bathroom. My kid had held it for 45 minutes prior to entering the store."
(How is it our fault, when there is a gas station right next door, that he just passed by?)

Uhg.. At my store we tend to kick people like that out and tell them never to come back.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Is this true?

Thank you for contacting Sprint regarding the roaming services and Newtwork Vision.
The plan active on your account is Everything Data Share 1500. This plan includes unlimited 3G data roaming and America Roaming option.
However, Sprint's Terms & Conditions limit domestic roaming data and voice usage:
-300 Megabyte (MB) data roaming. -5 Gigabyte (GB) in-network data. -800 minutes per month.
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that is the case for roaming usage. They won't throttle you or cut off your data but if you reach that limit you will be contacted by Sprint threatening to terminate your contract/service.
As for the 5gb limit? I don't know about that one.

Yea the 300mb was I knew but 5gb? I hate reps
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1

donsh00tmesanta said:
Yea the 300mb was I knew but 5gb? I hate reps
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1
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This was chat online? They don't know anything. For a more reliable experience, you'll have to get them on the phone.
EDIT: The 5GB cap is for hotspots, not cell phone plans. Cell Phones are unlimited data.

Email
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1

Cell phone plans are not truly unlimited. Roaming is capped at 300mb or a majority of data usage in a month. On network usage is a little tricky. They will let you use A LOT, but there is a point where they'll send you a letter for excessive usage.
Attached is a copy of the letter I got from Sprint last month for roaming. I was under the impression, as it is advertised, that ALL data usage was unlimited. I sent an email to Dan Hesse's CSR team and they called me back to explain the truth. The truth being, even though it's listed as unlimited in ads and on your bill, you in fact signed TOS agreeing to this limitation.
If you are ever having trouble with the regular CSRs, have a horrible experience, or feel you were wronged or not listened to, send an email to [email protected]. They have more authority and will call you to ry solve the issue.
FYI: I was using Roam Control when I visited my girlfriend on weekends because she lives in the sticks and Sprint coverage sucks.

I haven't received anything over data usage but I did get a nasty letter telling me I was violating my roaming.
I immediately called sprint and asked them why I received the letter. I was told it was due to roaming agreements. I knew it was 300mb so I made them pull my account and verify every month since the day I have been with them and I never went over 300. Maybe 290 but it isn't over 300. After that fun conversation I told them not to threaten cancelling me when I have done nothing wrong. I am within my agreement and do not appreciate being treated as such. I was then told that everyone under the new policy would receive the letter. To ignore it, and sorry for any inconvenience. My wife has yet to receive a letter, as she would fall under the "everyone" catagory.
No problems since then. Just know where you stand and if you truly are in the wrong. If not, tell them to kiss your ass until you are wrong. Then...deal with it haha

Sprint Epic Touch 4G on Ting..?

My contract is getting ready to expire with sprint in the next couple of months. I wanted a new phone upgrade but refused to renew my two year contract with sprint. Instead, i fully payed for brand new Epic touch 4G at a drastic discounted price. I love my phone. I recently found out about Ting (on the sprint network). are there any development towards getting sprint phones over to Ting..? I would just hate to buy anouther galaxy S2 just to get on Ting.

newalker91 said:
Can you explain why? People come on here a thousand times a day complaining about Sprint's network, and yet we're getting threads like this to flash to a subsidiary company borrowing pieces of Sprint's network which will end up further diluting your speeds and decreasing your coverage, all for about 20 bucks less per phone per month.
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Click to collapse
If you use any data the plans suck 3GB for 60 .... Wow its cheaper on boost ,virgin, cricket etc ....
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

newalker91 said:
Can you explain why? People come on here a thousand times a day complaining about Sprint's network, and yet we're getting threads like this to flash to a subsidiary company borrowing pieces of Sprint's network which will end up further diluting your speeds and decreasing your coverage, all for about 20 bucks less per phone per month.
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Click to collapse
I wasn't complaining about sprint network. In fact, it is the only network that gets me the best reception where i live. My only concern has been my monthly payments (family plan). When conparing what we pay and use with sprint or "any" other carrier for that matter, it is crazy high! I don't know about you but I'm looking to save. Ting makes sense for us. $20 savings for you equals to a savings of $240 per year. Me, on the other hand, saves me over a thousand. Going to Ting keeps me on Sprint's network without going broke.

mclain1 said:
I wasn't complaining about sprint network. In fact, it is the only network that gets me the best reception where i live. My only concern has been my monthly payments (family plan). When conparing what we pay and use with sprint or "any" other carrier for that matter, it is crazy high! I don't know about you but I'm looking to save. Ting makes sense for us. $20 savings for you equals to a savings of $240 per year. Me, on the other hand, saves me over a thousand. Going to Ting keeps me on Sprint's network without going broke.
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Click to collapse
You should be very specific with your math.
1. I didn't find on ting site anything about free night and weekend minutes.
Does it mean that 1000 or what ever minutes I buy will aply to any call made/recived.?
If yes than for my family plan with 4 lines we getting thru 4500-5000 min easy every month. I should plug that number in.
2. Data is 3GB max available. And I'm alone going thru 2-2.5GB a month.
4 of us together are using about 8-10GG a month.
I just plugged those number into ting savings calculator:
4lines 4000 min. 2000 sms/mms 10GB data (combined usage) and got monthly bill of $321.50. Try it yourself if you want.
My montly bill with sprint including $8 insurance on each phone ($32 that's alone) is about $226 a month.
In my case sprint still the cheapest solution.

agat63 said:
You should be very specific with your math.
1. I didn't find on ting site anything about free night and weekend minutes.
Does it mean that 1000 or what ever minutes I buy will aply to any call made/recived.?
If yes than for my family plan with 4 lines we getting thru 4500-5000 min easy every month. I should plug that number in.
2. Data is 3GB max available. And I'm alone going thru 2-2.5GB a month.
4 of us together are using about 8-10GG a month.
I just plugged those number into ting savings calculator:
4lines 4000 min. 2000 sms/mms 10GB data (combined usage) and got monthly bill of $321.50. Try it yourself if you want.
My montly bill with sprint including $8 insurance on each phone ($32 that's alone) is about $226 a month.
In my case sprint still the cheapest solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't we love to have smart phone that wet don't use ..... Must be that way for him I can go through 10+GB in a month not trying Pandora Netflix etc .....
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

Epix4G said:
Wouldn't we love to have smart phone that wet don't use ..... Must be that way for him I can go through 10+GB in a month not trying Pandora Netflix etc .....
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5
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I said "combined usage" for 4 phones/lines.
I think 2-2.5GB data per phone is not too much and you can go easy thru it.
Any weather widged take 15-20MB a day which will make about 450-600 MB a month. Check your emails, reply to post on forum, use gps/navigation and you done. Ne need to use google music, pandora, netfilx or hulu.
With those apps you will go over 5-6GB alone.
I have 2 kids in mid 20's and they are on FB/Twitter/Mail/Pandora/Google music all day long.
So 10GB data for 4 lines is not too much.
Just went on sprint site and checked my account. Bill was paid 2 days ago and it was $225.14 for following usage:
2850 minutes talk
8.35GB data used
3450 SMS/MMS sent/recieved.
So I was pretty close with my estimate of monthly usage and price for my family plan.
And if I plug this numbers into ting calculator my bill will go up by quite a bit.

agat63 said:
I said "combined usage" for 4 phones/lines.
I think 2-2.5GB data per phone is not too much and you can go easy thru it.
Any weather widged take 15-20MB a day which will make about 450-600 MB a month. Check your emails, reply to post on forum, use gps/navigation and you done. Ne need to use google music, pandora, netfilx or hulu.
With those apps you will go over 5-6GB alone.
I have 2 kids in mid 20's and they are on FB/Twitter/Mail/Pandora/Google music all day long.
So 10GB data for 4 lines is not too much.
Just went on sprint site and checked my account. Bill was paid 2 days ago and it was $225.14 for following usage:
2850 minutes talk
8.35GB data used
3450 SMS/MMS sent/recieved.
So I was pretty close with my estimate of monthly usage and price for my family plan.
And if I plug this numbers into ting calculator my bill will go up by quite a bit.
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Click to collapse
I know I have 3 epic touch and a 3d on my account and I know how bad we were with data and it will only get worse with lte ....he must not use his epic touch for anything but calls to think that is going to save him money....I usually use lots more data than minutes..Hardly use the phone but to talk to wife...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

Epix4G said:
I know I have 3 epic touch and a 3d on my account and I know how bad we were with data and it will only get worse with lte ....he must not use his epic touch for anything but calls to think that is going to save him money....I usually use lots more data than minutes..Hardly use the phone but to talk to wife...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5
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Click to collapse
He's better sticking with sprint or if hes gotta change to try to save some $ then he should try
for talking alot and data usage:
Boost mobile + theres a guide on step by step on how to flash to boost already made and the monthly bill is only $50 then you also get the shrinkage plan
if he mainly text's/mms/ and uses data mostly instead talking on the phone all the time he should go with
Virgin Mobile which i believe has been done and there should be a guide on how to do it and the plans on that are like $30xmonth (correct me if im wrong)
atleast thats my opinion ..

General, usketse
I did some digging around and found a few post of people using Sprint phones on Ting. It seems that a flash has been done with varying success.
On Ting's website under the Ting Help & Support Forum there is a thread called "Can I Bring my existing device to Ting?" (sorry im a newb and not allowed to post links just yet)...
That thread does indicate that a few users have purchased Ting's lower-end phones (as a donor) and use its' ESN number along with a program called CDMA Workshop in order to flash rooted Sprint phones to work on Ting.
Can anyone shed some light on how this procedure is done or what is involved..? Can the phone be re-flashed to be used on Sprint network again or is this a one time process?
Thanks guys..

mclain1 said:
I did some digging around and found a few post of people using Sprint phones on Ting. It seems that a flash has been done with varying success.
On Ting's website under the Ting Help & Support Forum there is a thread called "Can I Bring my existing device to Ting?" (sorry im a newb and not allowed to post links just yet)...
That thread does indicate that a few users have purchased Ting's lower-end phones (as a donor) and use its' ESN number along with a program called CDMA Workshop in order to flash rooted Sprint phones to work on Ting.
Can anyone shed some light on how this procedure is done or what is involved..? Can the phone be re-flashed to be used on Sprint network again or is this a one time process?
Thanks guys..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for a thread about cloning esn to use on boost and it's officially a federal crime too...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

[Q] Will Sprint Kick Me?

Hello. Not sure if I should post here or somewhere else, so if it is in the wrong section, feel free to move.
So, basically, I am getting kind of worried. I have been with Sprint for well over 2 years, and have enjoyed being with them. However, the recent Vision upgrades have left signal in my house completely non-existent. They recently upgraded the tower about a block away from my house, and I have not been able to get a consistent signal since. I am constantly roaming within my house. Here recently I have been needing to use my phone for its data more and more. I have read that using too much roaming data will get you kicked off of Sprint, and I am kind of worried that I am going to be kicked. I currently have 3 lines on my account. My line has used over 2.5GB of data so far this month, and 2GB of that has been roaming. The second line (my mother's) has used 600MB of data, and 500MB of it is roaming. The third line (my brother's) has used 200MB of data, and only 20MB of that is roaming (he lives elsewhere). Last month's data usage were similar in terms of data ratios, but nowhere near as much data was used (had access to WiFi most of the month) I AM NOT using a Verizon PRL, and have tried updating profiles and PRLs on all of the phones.
Hearing this, am I going to be kicked? I really don't want to be, but if I can't pull a signal in my house, I might as well switch. If they do decide to kick me, what will they do about my brother's line? I don't want to have to switch that one line to its own line and pay 2 different cell phone bills. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I haven't received a letter or anything yet, but I have a feeling that it is only a matter of time.
PS: I won't be able to use an Airave, because I haven't had a consistent internet connection (hence the excessive data usage this month).

stompysan said:
Hello. Not sure if I should post here or somewhere else, so if it is in the wrong section, feel free to move.
So, basically, I am getting kind of worried. I have been with Sprint for well over 2 years, and have enjoyed being with them. However, the recent Vision upgrades have left signal in my house completely non-existent. They recently upgraded the tower about a block away from my house, and I have not been able to get a consistent signal since. I am constantly roaming within my house. Here recently I have been needing to use my phone for its data more and more. I have read that using too much roaming data will get you kicked off of Sprint, and I am kind of worried that I am going to be kicked. I currently have 3 lines on my account. My line has used over 2.5GB of data so far this month, and 2GB of that has been roaming. The second line (my mother's) has used 600MB of data, and 500MB of it is roaming. The third line (my brother's) has used 200MB of data, and only 20MB of that is roaming (he lives elsewhere). Last month's data usage were similar in terms of data ratios, but nowhere near as much data was used (had access to WiFi most of the month) I AM NOT using a Verizon PRL, and have tried updating profiles and PRLs on all of the phones.
Hearing this, am I going to be kicked? I really don't want to be, but if I can't pull a signal in my house, I might as well switch. If they do decide to kick me, what will they do about my brother's line? I don't want to have to switch that one line to its own line and pay 2 different cell phone bills. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I haven't received a letter or anything yet, but I have a feeling that it is only a matter of time.
PS: I won't be able to use an Airave, because I haven't had a consistent internet connection (hence the excessive data usage this month).
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Wait, I must be confused. You're on sprint right? Like as in sprint in the united states? You are asking if you should be concerned about an American company asking you to leave? They're gonna say "no no, you're money is NO LONGER GOOD HERE, you're using Way Too Much data?" is this a serious question? I'm really confused. Please help.
You really think they will drop you, release you from your contract because of this? This is either a joke or just hysterical.
Let us know what mean of sprint decides to do with such a problem customer as yourself.
/sarcasm
---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------
I'm still rotflol...
In this country, if a big business earns $0.01 more than you cost them, you will remain a customer until you are no longer profitable. And trust me...data is air. And last time I checked, air was free (thus far). I honestly think you'll be just fine.

tucstwo said:
Wait, I must be confused. You're on sprint right? Like as in sprint in the united states? You are asking if you should be concerned about an American company asking you to leave? They're gonna say "no no, you're money is NO LONGER GOOD HERE, you're using Way Too Much data?" is this a serious question? I'm really confused. Please help.
You really think they will drop you, release you from your contract because of this? This is either a joke or just hysterical.
Let us know what mean of sprint decides to do with such a problem customer as yourself.
/sarcasm
---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------
I'm still rotflol...
In this country, if a big business earns $0.01 more than you cost them, you will remain a customer until you are no longer profitable. And trust me...data is air. And last time I checked, air was free (thus far). I honestly think you'll be just fine.
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According to Sprint's contract:
Off-network Roaming: The primary use of your Device must be for domestic purposes within the Sprint-owned network. Domestic means use in the 50 United States and U.S. Territories (except Guam). Sprint reserves the right, without notice, to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if off-network usage in a month exceeds: (1) voice: 800 min. or a majority of minutes; or (2) data: 300 megabytes or a majority of kilobytes. The display on your device may not always be on and will not indicate whether you will incur roaming charges. You can monitor usage online through My Account. Roaming is not available with single-band phones, or to customers who reside or whose primary use is outside an area covered by the Nationwide Sprint Network. Sprint may limit or terminate service if you move outside of the Sprint owned-network.
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Hate to bump my own topic, but does anyone have any ideas?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

stompysan said:
Hate to bump my own topic, but does anyone have any ideas?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
I can tell you that Sprint will kick you from your contract, it happened to me. Twice!
I used just under 1GB of roaming per month over a two month period, my phone number became 'blacklisted' in their system and was turned off with no warning one day. I called support, fought for hours and was told the only option I now had was to port my number to a different carrier. I now have a Nexus on Verizon....
Even though the bill I received each month had a line that said 'Sprint 3G Roaming-- Used ###MB's of UNLIMITED' their contract does say in tiny letters that using over 300MB in a month will get you booted.

lswartzevo said:
I can tell you that Sprint will kick you from your contract, it happened to me. Twice!
I used just under 1GB of roaming per month over a two month period, my phone number became 'blacklisted' in their system and was turned off with no warning one day. I called support, fought for hours and was told the only option I now had was to port my number to a different carrier. I now have a Nexus on Verizon....
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I figured, but I wanted some assurance. Did you have more than one line on the account? Do you think they will drop all of the lines on my account (the main line is mine, the one that has done the most roaming)?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Stop roaming and get them to give you a repeater... or whatever those things are called.

Mgamerz said:
Stop roaming and get them to give you a repeater... or whatever those things are called.
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Don't have a consistent connection to the internet. Otherwise I would have gotten it a month ago.

Call sprint tell them the problem and have them send you an airave. They should send u 1 for free.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I would consider it a blessing to be released from my wireless contract. That would be awesome

Esteway.619 said:
Call sprint tell them the problem and have them send you an airave. They should send u 1 for free.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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See
StompySan said:
Don't have a consistent connection to the internet. Otherwise I would have gotten it a month ago.
Click to expand...
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EDIT: Should clarify. Don't have a consistent ethernet connection.

stompysan said:
See
EDIT: Should clarify. Don't have a consistent ethernet connection.
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I also did not have a high speed internet connection at home so was unable to go the airave route.
I had two lines, the first (secondary line) was dropped about a year before my primary line was canceled.

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but do you think they would drop me for using say..........171 GB of 4G?

Anyone know if they kick you off quicker for exceeding data or minutes while roaming on verizon?
all our phones constantly roam at home (sprint signal is unusable at home). So far one user is at 2500 minutes roaming and 3.5 gigs roaming data.

[Q] Is this the truth about T-mobile prepaid service?

I will start by saying I am a very happy Samsung Galaxy S III owner and an extremely un-happy Sprint customer (due to the lack of 4G and my paying for 4G for the past 3 years). I have started looking at terminating my contract with Sprint and doing a prepaid service like StraightTalk, that is until I recently read on Android Central that T-Mobile now has unlimited prepaid service. I spent some time tonight at a T-mobile store and the sales rep told me some things I would like to run past you fine people who may no more than this guy (I know he works for them, but they will also say anything to get you to buy what they want you to buy... er at least Sprint does). So here are the things he told me that I would like your input on.
1) The highest prepaid plan is unlimited talk, text and data at $70/month. However, your HSPA+ data ends after 5GB of data and beyond that amount, your data speeds will be throttled to "go so slow that web pages will time-out before they load, yes I am serious" (I am quoting the sales rep here)
2) "T-mobile has separate towers that are specific for pre-paid customers. They are fewer and more far between then our contract towers and as such, your coverage area is decreased and the data speeds you can achieve on HSPA+ (up to 5GB) is slower. You cannot access the towers that our contracted customers use, these towers cover more area and with greater bandwidth"
3) "With pre-paid you cannot roam. Period." He told me that with contract service you have truly, un-throttled, uncapped data on any T-mobile tower and truly unlimited roaming (voice, text and data) on any AT&T tower.​
All in all, the sales rep was quite intent on stating how terrible and useless the prepaid service is, and that I can have all the amazing, truly unlimited, un-throttled, roam-anywhere, zoom-bang-wow service at the exact same cost of a contract plan ($70/month - since I am bringing my own device - I have an unlocked GSII Skyrocket). I just don't know if this guy is lying to me about some of these things in order to make me go contract or if he really is telling all truth here. After all, it is better for T-Mobile if I guarantee I pay them the cost of service for 2 years (or a contract cancellation fee) as opposed to having me on a string for only 1 month at which time I can leave at no cost.
I believe the no roaming part (what I mean to say, is that I can see how this can and would be possible) but I really cannot see how they have separate towers for the pre-paid and contract customers as they all operate on the same GSM frequencies (to my knowledge at least). This is only my idle speculation of course, I am hoping some of you can confirm/dispel some if not all of these statements I heard today and help me make an informed decision on where I go next with my service provider.
As a final note, I should explain to you that the truly unlimited and un-throttled data is important to me as I stream almost all my content and upload (via DropBox) a high volume of photos, all in addition to the usual stuff that eats up data (lots of email, video chatting, VoIP, MMS, etc). I currently use between 6-8GB of Sprint data per month. That is saying something considering how awfully slow their data is in my area (Denver, CO). So I anticipate needing even more than that once I am on a network with greater speeds as I naturally will be using it even more.
Thanks for all your input!

I do not believe anything I just read was correct..lol not to you, but to the rep.. Starting on January 9 their $70 unlimited plan was upped from 5gb to truly unlimited uncapped data.. Also I am not positive on the roaming as I do not leave.. And as far as them having their own towers go that is a lie because when a phone gets blacklisted because you haven't paid you bill you can't just put it on prepaid.. You have to unlock the phone and go on another carrier.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

I am on the $30/mo plan available from walmart. It includes unlimited text and data (4g up to 5gb) and 100 minutes. I believe it is by far the best deal going for cell service. At $.10 a minute if you go over it's still the best deal going if you use under ~600 minutes a month on average.
The $70 plan you are talking about is actually unlimited 4G AFAIK.

Why not just buy a month or so of pre-paid, try it out - see how it goes - and if you think the contract service would work better for you, switch - there's no penalty for switching from pre-paid to contract, so why not ?
You're throttled to 50kb/s after your limit. Yes, it's slow, but pages not loading before they time out ? Maybe if you're loading super-heavy pages, but the guest WIFI at my school is throttled to the same and it's quite easy to browse the web. No, you're not going to be streaming video or anything on 50kb/s, but it's not the end of the world, either.
It looks like the $70/mo pre-paid doesn't have a data limit. If they're being sneaky and hiding it, I don't know - read the contract, but the ones where throttling does happen are worded differently.
I'm on pre-paid T-Mobile and never had coverage issues. Pretty sure there is some roaming. No, you're not going to get data-roaming, but that's kind of a given for any pre-paid service.

Don't forget. $70 plus taxes (~$10~) plus activation fee ($35 and only if done in-store). Your first month bill will skyrocket (I chose the value plan with two lines + down payment ($170/mo) when I extended my service with T-Mobile; the bill for the first month came to a close total of $300). Afterwards you'll pay a flat rate of ~$80~(taxes).
What the rep said were both true and false. The Value Plan (unlimited text + call + data with no throttle) is the better plan of the two options provided to you if you're looking for long-term but the only difference between the two is there will be a data throttle (5GB) for the Prepaid and unlimited data with no data for The Value Plan but only acquirable with a 2 year contract.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Thanks for everyone's input. I took the plunge and went with T-Mobile prepaid $70/month. I did a lot of reading and went back to a different store. Turns out that as of 1/9/13 the $70/month prepaid is unlimited data and no throttle. Your sim gets service from the exact same towers as a contracted T Mobile customer. There also was not an activation fee. I had an approx. $6 sim start fee and then taxes. After everything it was $81.56 out the door. I do also get roaming on AT&T but I have yet to use it. I plan on using it for the rest of the month that I paid for before making any final decisions. This is about $25/month cheaper than what I am paying for sprint service right now AND I have HSPA+ data. The speeds are nothing to brag about at all but SOOO much faster than sprints data. Glad I researched this further before looking elsewhere.

Pre-paid is only charged state sales tax - which is usually much less than the taxes imposed on the contract plans. They still pay the taxes - you're just not paying for them on top of your bill.
My taxes on my $40 Sprint bill were like, $6. I pay only $1-something in state sales tax on the $30 refills. Not a huge difference but would add up quite a bit if the bills were higher.
$70/unlimited is a great deal if you have good coverage in your area (we have 4G all over the city here).
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

There are Classic, Value, and Prepaid options.
Classic - You get a subsidised phone + a 2yr contract.
Value - You take the same phone subsidy that classic has but you apply it to your montly bill. As such you have the option to buy a phone at full price or bring your own. You still have the 2 yr contract.
Prepaid - No Contract.
Classic and Value are exactly the same.
The prepaid plan does have an unlimited data package, but the difference between the other packages is that prepaid customers DO NOT get ROAMING.
Over here in chicago, tmobile is partnered with ATT. If i go to an area that does not have tmobile service, I am allowed to use ATT towers. With prepaid you will simply have no service in this area.
(Note that roaming includes VOICE+TEXT but not high speed DATA. This means you will only get 1G or EDGE while roaming)
I am not sure about getting access to less tmobile towers, but less towers sounds like bull****. Keep in mind you still DO NOT get access to ROAMING towers. The rep might of misunderstood the tower explanation when she was in training but who knows, it might be true. I doubt it.
I do not work for Tmboile. Hope I explained everything.

I have a galaxy s4 sgh-m919 t-mobile variant I bought without a contract.
I purchased tmobile prepaid unlimted 70 a month plan.
While I am in the city I get 4g data, ive never seen the LTE badge appear.
My tmobile account says I have an incompatiable data plan for my device.
My actual home is about 13 miles outside town and I get extremely bad signal issues. My phone will connect to at&t and verizon towers but I do not get a data connection at all, sms is hit or miss, phone calls seem to work okay most of the time.
I am very upset with my tmobile service and plan to try net10 prepaid unlimited 4g, for 50 a month. Net10 uses at&t towers so I should get much better service at my home.
I wish there was a way to force data roaming.
I'm paying 70 a month, I should at least get 3g wherever I go.
I am open to suggestion, thanks; just wanted to share my tmobile opinion.
Slower test is tmobile prepaid 4g
faster is net10 at&t 4g

Late to the zombie thread. Our experience as a Tmobile customer, is you'll roam most likely onto ATT. Our 2nd home is in Montana, where Tmo doesn't exist. First, your data is throttled on roam from the get go, to what's tantamount to HSPA. After you use a few hundred megs (turning on your plan) bam, throttle down to G2. It's not a pretty picture ... but for some, it beats paying ATT's higher monthly fee.