Starting 5/27, new smartphones will be subject to current rate plans...

**cookedgoose** · 04-23-2012, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Churner

Don't lose sight of the big picture or take this so personally, folks. Your wireless company is not your friend. We've already discussed here that your wireless company's corporate parent is having serious money troubles and it's looking to customers to bail it out.

If you want a post May 27 phone, you must pay more. This is similar to the line in the sand that was drawn when the Intercept was announced. The beauty here is that you're not under contract, so you're not handcuffed to your grandfathered account. If you want to go to another provider, go!

This helps me make my decision. Looks like I'm going with T-Mobile.

Time to sell my plan. Somehow, my $25 VM plan felt like a few shares of stock in a troubled gold mining company with potential. Now that weather forecasters are predicting severe storms and tornadoes on the horizon, I'm dumping.

I said good-bye to VM once and came back temporarily when it seemed like things could get better. But I don't see $35/month for a 300 minute plan as a good deal even with Wimax when I can most certainly get comparable or better speeds on T-Mobile with an HSPA+ 42mbps phone and pay less than $0.10 per minute as needed.

I don't blame Sprint for wanting to make money. But they didn't have to stiff grandfathered customers!!!

**vmobi** · 04-23-2012, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Churner

Don't lose sight of the big picture or take this so personally, folks. Your wireless company is not your friend. We've already discussed here that your wireless company's corporate parent is having serious money troubles and it's looking to customers to bail it out.

If you want a post May 27 phone, you must pay more. This is similar to the line in the sand that was drawn when the Intercept was announced. The beauty here is that you're not under contract, so you're not handcuffed to your grandfathered account. If you want to go to another provider, go!

It's a good start, we now have a better time frame for the New Virgin Mobile launch. I think there will be plenty of changes that will probably satisfy most subscribers.

If Sir Richard's quote is accurate there will probably be a new smartphone monthly service option without minutes ( a real "pay as you go" option w/$0.10 cpm) but it will include unlimited text and unlimited data. "Why pay for minutes when its unlimited data..." I wonder what this new entry level price point will be???
$15??? $20!??? Remember Sprint's other prepaid brand just introduced Unl Talk & Text for $30 (after "shrinkage" on the talk & text brand)...

With AT&T, T-Mobile, and now even VZW competing for prepaid smartphone subscribers, Sprint/VM will have to offer a better service plan option.

Sent from my LG-VM701 using HowardForums

**billm261** · 04-23-2012, 06:14 PM

Sprint did the same thing a while back on postpaid.

At first there was a 10.00 add on for a 4G smartphone. It did not matter if you lived in a 4G area or not.

Then later on, they included all smartphones and it took effect when you changed or upgraded your phone.

I didn't think they would allow the rumored EVO 3D on the 25.00 BT plan, I just didn't.

However, IF you live in a decent Wi-Max coverage area and IF there is no additional fee for it, 35.00 a month is a good deal (not withstanding data caps if any on Wi-Max) to have an EVO 3D on VM with Wi-Max.

As much as people bellyache and moan about paying more, it very well may be 10.00 well spent.

ST is no bargain (nor is Simple) if you like to use data and especially use it as you see fit. Those experiencing having your data throttled on VM will most likely end up being terminated on ST or SM.

T-Mobile (if you can live with 100 minutes) and have 4G coverage will be your only option on budget based plans it seems.

**cookedgoose** · 04-23-2012, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by billm261

As much as people bellyache and moan about paying more, it very well may be 10.00 well spent.

ST is no bargain (nor is Simple) if you like to use data and especially use it as you see fit. Those experiencing having your data throttled on VM will most likely end up being terminated on ST or SM.

T-Mobile (if you can live with 100 minutes) and have 4G coverage will be your only option on budget based plans it seems.

Maybe. I'm worried about the usability of Wimax considering the battery drain and the (potential) instability of the connection when indoors.

My one other concern if I were to stay is the data cap. VM needs to make an announcement if they're going to lift the monthly cap to at least 5gb!

**QE2** · 04-23-2012, 06:18 PM

This news has removed any lingering doubts for those of use who have moved on to T-Mobile, and removes the incentive for anyone holding on to their $25 grandfathered plan to stick with it.

**tcross8361** · 04-23-2012, 06:20 PM

Richard Branson says "We're gonna change your relationship with your phone company". You got that right, a divorce. They have officially p****d me off.

**cookedgoose** · 04-23-2012, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by tcross8361

Richard Branson says "We're gonna change your relationship with your phone company". You got that right, a divorce. They have officially p****d me off.

It's not that bad really...$25/month for 300 minutes plus wimax would've been shortchanging Sprint. $35/month (assuming it won't rise to $45) if Wimax proves to be decent at least in the major cities won't be a bad deal.

Bigger question: Will Sprint permanently throttle down VM customers to prioritize BM customers? If not, isn't it about time Sprint merged the two brands?

**tcross8361** · 04-23-2012, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by cookedgoose

It's not that bad really...$25/month for 300 minutes plus wimax would've been shortchanging Sprint. $35/month (assuming it won't rise to $45) if Wimax proves to be decent at least in the major cities won't be a bad deal.

True, but with VM that's a big IF. I'll stay till my Triumph totally implodes. I'll have about a year left on the warranty. If it quits, I'll probably swap it under warranty and sell it. It will give me a chance to feel VM out and see what they come out with. We'll see what happens.

**jhood2323** · 04-23-2012, 07:13 PM

It's crazy people crying about paying $35 for 300 min, unlimited text and data . I'm paying $90 for 450 mins, unlimited text and 2 gb of data smiling

**cookedgoose** · 04-23-2012, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by jhood2323

It's crazy people crying about paying $35 for 300 min, unlimited text and data . I'm paying $90 for 450 mins, unlimited text and 2 gb of data smiling

Different strokes for different folks. Is this on a contract or prepaid?

**stljason1** · 04-23-2012, 07:20 PM

I just want to make sure, I dont know if anyone has been able to confirm this yet. I currently have a Intercept, so if I sawpped to the Triumph tomorrow, I could still stay on the $25 grandfathered plan as long as my triumph continues to work?

Thats the way Im reading it, but its tough to be sure....

**bamx2** · 04-23-2012, 07:22 PM

I don't need the newest model of phone . I will start looking for a spare .

**Testshoot** · 04-23-2012, 07:29 PM

There were rumours about the earth phone on earth day on both Sprint and VM, but that didn't happen, at least not on VM. I was hoping to move up to a better phone, not that I hate my OV. Got the same text as the rest of you.

It wouldn't matter with my current phone, but I will be moving a place that doesn't have Clear 4G service.

**Churner** · 04-23-2012, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by stljason1

I just want to make sure, I dont know if anyone has been able to confirm this yet. I currently have a Intercept, so if I sawpped to the Triumph tomorrow, I could still stay on the $25 grandfathered plan as long as my triumph continues to work?

Thats the way Im reading it, but its tough to be sure....

What's to confirm? You seem to have read the message the way everyone else did. If you feel the need to confirm, Facebook or Twitter would be good places to do it.