Unlimited International Data on Sprint?

[Sonic McTails]

Hey all,
I'm a fairly frequent international traveler (travelling aboard upwards of once every two months), and I'm greatly irritated by both AT&T and T-Mobile's international roaming rates. Out of desperation, I googled Sprint and verizon, and while Verizon's rates suck less, I keep hearing mention of an unlimited international data plan with Sprint for $40 ontop of the normal Everything Else plans.

Does this plan still exist, and can someone shed some light on it? Do I need one of the worldclass Blackberries, or can I use the GSM SIM in anything with a SIM slot (assuming I'm roaming in a country that doesn't have a CDMA network)?

Any information you can provide would be most helpful ...

[Justen]

Yes, the "Data Worldwide" plan still exists, and is indeed $40 with any of the Everything Data or Simply Everything plans.

Here are the details as they currently appear on My Sprint (which are somewhat in need of updating, but the important points are still accurate):

With this great add-on, you have the ultimate travel companion. Take your PDA with you overseas, including countries like Canada, Mexico, China, India and more. For use with Windows Mobile or Palm operating system devices, this add-on includes unlimited international web access and email. You can find the nearest piazza on the go, reply while relaxing and keep up with your inbox beyond the borders.

This comprehensive coverage also includes access to your corporate email account with Microsoft Direct Push Technology via ActiveSync. Pair it with the Samsung ACETM, and you can connect to the widely used overseas GSM/GPRS networks in more than 110 countries.

Pricing
Data Worldwide — $40/mo.

The SOC (internal Sprint code) is PDSDWW40E, although you should just be able to ask for it when you purchase your smartphone (and I believe it shows up as an option when you order online). To truly take advantage of the service, you would probably want to go with one of the three current global smartphones Sprint is offering: the BlackBerry Bold 9650, the Samsung Intrepid, or the HTC Touch Pro2.

[Sonic McTails]

Yes, the "Data Worldwide" plan still exists, and is indeed $40 with any of the Everything Data or Simply Everything plans.

Here are the details:



The SOC (internal Sprint code) is PDSDWW40E, although you should just be able to ask for it when you purchase your smartphone (and I believe it shows up as an option when you order online). To truly take advantage of the service, you would probably want to go with one of the <a href="http://shop.sprint.com/en/stores/intl_phones/international_phones.html">three current global smartphones</a> Sprint is offering: the BlackBerry Bold 9650, the Samsung Intrepid, or the HTC Touch Pro2.

I can't stand Blackberries to be honest, but I have a ton of GSM phones in a box from years with T-Mobile. If its only available with these devices, this I must admit I'm less interested in breaking contract (the EVO 4G looks amazing, but it alone doesn't justify the $200 dollar contract fee).

[Justen]

The Data Worldwide option would still work with the Evo 4G, but only in countries where Sprint has CDMA roaming agreements, which is a smaller number of countries given that GSM is effectively the "global" standard.

[Sonic McTails]

The Data Worldwide option would still work with the Evo 4G, but only in countries where Sprint has CDMA roaming agreements, which is a smaller number of countries given that GSM is effectively the "global" standard.

I'm aware of that. I'm referring to getting the Sprint SIM card so I can use a GSM device even when the Evo 4G is on my account, I'm trying to determine if thats covered as well :-)

Is there a bandwidth cap, or a catch? This sounds almost too good to be true ...

[xchpstang]

Yes the Sprint SIM will work in any unlocked GSM phone. And yes Sprint's international data rates are the best in the industry.

[Sonic McTails]

You could get the EVO or whatever you want and ask for a SIM. When you travel just use any of your GSM phones.

There's probably a soft cap of some sort but unless your going to tether to a laptop and watch netflix abroad I doubt you'll have any problems.

Cool. I went to the Sprint store today, and looked at an EVO 4G in person, and I must say; I was really underwhelmed; Maybe it was the SenseUI, but I think I'd be happier with my Nexus One than the EVO 4G.

Still, I'm *really* tempted to go to Sprint, but with taxes and fees, I doubt I'll save a lot of money over T-Mobile expect when I roam (and there are still prepaid SIMs for that).

[al_capone_x3]

Yes, the "Data Worldwide" plan still exists, and is indeed $40 with any of the Everything Data or Simply Everything plans.

Here are the details as they currently appear on My Sprint (which are somewhat in need of updating, but the important points are still accurate):



The SOC (internal Sprint code) is PDSDWW40E, although you should just be able to ask for it when you purchase your smartphone (and I believe it shows up as an option when you order online). To truly take advantage of the service, you would probably want to go with one of the three current global smartphones Sprint is offering: the BlackBerry Bold 9650, the Samsung Intrepid, or the HTC Touch Pro2.

i really thought this unlimited international thing only applied to blackberrys not all world phones.

So what if im on a cruise from like long beach to cabo san lucas will i still get unlimited data on the ship or no. can someone please help me understand this better.

[keason]

You need to be careful about shipboard phone use if you want to keep your charges reasonable. Bills can be astronomical. Sprint's plans apply only to the countries listed on their web site. Here is a roundup of internet charges while on a cruise. I'd also make sure that you are well away from the ship while in port so you pick up a local tower.

In general, blackberries use the least amount of data if you are paying by the kb. Latency will be very high since all you get in satellite internet on a ship.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=45

[Mackdad]

Yes, the "Data Worldwide" plan still exists, and is indeed $40 with any of the Everything Data or Simply Everything plans.

Here are the details as they currently appear on My Sprint (which are somewhat in need of updating, but the important points are still accurate):



The SOC (internal Sprint code) is PDSDWW40E, although you should just be able to ask for it when you purchase your smartphone (and I believe it shows up as an option when you order online). To truly take advantage of the service, you would probably want to go with one of the three current global smartphones Sprint is offering: the BlackBerry Bold 9650, the Samsung Intrepid, or the HTC Touch Pro2.

Hmmmm I wonder if you add it and drop it as need. I have a windows device with gsm roaming device. I wonder I could add it to my I930. ?

[Sjs01]

I was curious about this $40 unlimited international data plan add on, does anyone know if this works with old legacy plans? Could I call Sprint and have them add this to my account for a month? I am taking a trip to Eastern Europe this July and was wondering if I could possibly add this onto my plan for that month, then just use my TP2. Any help is appreciated!

[keason]

There was a $70 plan for old plans, but the ED / SE plans are $40. If you travel frequently enough it might be worth upgrading.

[Sjs01]

There was a $70 plan for old plans, but the ED / SE plans are $40. If you travel frequently enough it might be worth upgrading.

Oh alright, thank you for the reply! I don't usually go out of the country for travel, this is just a one time thing. Do you know if they can prorate that? What I mean is if I am only going to be gone from July 20th to the 31st, can they just charge me for those days? Thanks again for your reply!

[al_capone_x3]

well that sucks if you cant use it on the ship. What company offers a good deal on the ship. Because when i went on a cruise, on the ship was boring to me. when docked and out that was fun. I really wouldnt wanna use the phone when not on the ship. Mainly to keep me entertained on the ship. Im guessing there no way to bypass your phone from picking up the ship signal and pick up something else some how.

[Evan702]

well that sucks if you cant use it on the ship. What company offers a good deal on the ship.

None of them.