Sprint Decides To Charge ALL Smartphone Customers An Extra 10 Bucks

So when I got my Evo I was really pissed to see that it came with an additional $10/month "premium data" surcharge.  I called Sprint I complained, I questioned and tried to reason with them, but no luck if I wanted a 4G capable phone I had to pay the fee. I tried to reason that I didn't have 4G coverage but Sprint insisted that it wasn't 4G that I was paying for; they said that it was to cover the increased data consumption that my super phone would pull down. Well it looks like they will be expanding this concept to ALL of their smart phone devices, starting January 30, 2011 all smartphones will require an additional $10/month data surcharge increasing all of their Everything Unlimited plans by 10 bucks.  It should be noted however that even with this increase Sprint is still cheaper than its competitors, but I know that doesn't make this pill any easier to swallow. Existing customers will not be effected by the changes, at least not until you get a new phone, do an ESN swap, or make any changes to your plan.  This definitely makes getting a 4G phone all the more enticing if you are going to be charged the $10 regardless.  If you were considering getting a new 3G smart phone any time soon you better do it before January 30th or you'll be paying an extra 10!


Key quotes from the press release:

"The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for a richer mobile experience."

"Sprint’s decision to apply the Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones going forward recognizes the enhanced user experience that today’s smartphones deliver, which, in turn, drives substantially higher data usage and cost."

"Building, maintaining and expanding wireless data networks isn’t free – there are real costs involved. In effect, Sprint has chosen to increase the price of its unlimited Everything Data plans, which is still below that of its major competitors, for the segment of customers – smartphone users  – who are using wireless data the most and are driving up cost."

Smartphones, as defined by Sprint, are handsets with "robust operating systems that deliver a rich wireless experience by bringing the full function of mobile applications and programs to life." This includes all Android, Palm/webOS, Windows Mobile/Windows Phone 7, and BlackBerry phones.

Source: Good and Evo, Sprint