Not eligible to upgrade on your voice line? You may be in luck if you have an Airave!

MidwestDrummer · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 09:54 PM

I've always prided myself on the extent of my wireless knowledge. I don't mean to sound ****y, but I, like many of you, scour tech blogs and forums to get the most up to date info, and to learn all of the tricks and trades of the industry. I've also been a VZW employee for a few years now, so I thought I had all of my bases covered. Well, I missed this one.

You might not have any voice lines that are currently eligible to upgrade, but if you're using an Airave, you may be in luck. An Airave requires a separate line of service, and it also has it's own mobile number. I'm not eligible to upgrade my voice line until August, but my Airave line is currently eligible, so come June 4th, I will be doing an alternate upgrade to get the EVO 4G for my voice line, but using the upgrade eligibility on my Airave line.

I've been familiar with the ability to do alternate upgrades for quite some time, but I never knew that Airave lines gained upgrade eligibility, until speaking with a Sprint rep yesterday (and then speaking with 2 more to confirm). VZW's network extender (same thing as Sprint's Airave) operates in a very different fashion. With VZW, you simply purchase the network extender, and as long as your have a high speed internet connection, your device works. VZW does not have a monthly feature cost to operate their network extender, like Sprint requires for the Airave. Likewise, VZW's network extender cannot gain upgrade eligibility, since it does not require a separate line of service.

Maybe this will help others out there who are limited on their upgrade options, but currently have an Airave in their home/work, etc.

EDIT: Really? I can't say c*ocky on PPCgeeks?

sikclown · #2 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 10:36 PM

Interesting.... Umm why do you have Sprint service if you work for Verizon? Just curious

interccessor · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 11:19 PM

My full upgrade is August. I asked for credit. They sent me an email that once I purchase the Evo they will credit 75.00 right away. Now I'll get my full upgrade. Sweet!!

MidwestDrummer · #4 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikclown

Interesting.... Umm why do you have Sprint service if you work for Verizon? Just curious

EDIT: The paranoid guy who doesn't wanna lose his job won out. I decided to clear all the number and the employee discount amount. I'll just say that I'm paying less with Sprint, than I would be with VZW, even as an employee. I mean, look at that EPIC WIN down there in my sig.

Quiksmage · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 02:17 AM

MidwestDrummer. My plan is almost identical to yours and I'm giving it up in 2 weeks for the EVO =(. Feels bad.

But **** YEAH EVO!!!!!!!

=D>

I have the airave as well. If i wanted to get the EVO from my airave's supposed phone upgrade thingy, how would I go about doing it from the sprint website? I'd like to save my $150 upgrade on my main line if possible.

ssteven365 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 05:33 AM

I may be mistaken, but doesn't the device have to be on a plan of a certain dollar amount or more to be eligible for an upgrade? Something like $39.99? If so, would the airrave be eligible to "upgrade"? I only pay 4.99/month for my airrave.

iwillfearnoevil · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssteven365

I may be mistaken, but doesn't the device have to be on a plan of a certain dollar amount or more to be eligible for an upgrade? Something like $39.99? If so, would the airrave be eligible to "upgrade"? I only pay 4.99/month for my airrave.

a lot of ppl have done this at slickdeals forum and documented the process. they've been doing it for awhile with other phones, i don't see why evo would be different.

ChrisH09 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 08:39 AM

So how much would the Evo 4G be with the Airave upgrade? I have one too and was at a Sprint Authorized dealer a few days ago and they said the same thing, and I even say it on there computer screen...I would like to know what the price would be due to the fact thats not my primary line?

Any Ideas?

ChrisH09 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssteven365

I may be mistaken, but doesn't the device have to be on a plan of a certain dollar amount or more to be eligible for an upgrade? Something like $39.99? If so, would the airrave be eligible to "upgrade"? I only pay 4.99/month for my airrave.

If your on Verizons Network, but not on Sprints. Also like he said with Verizon's network extender, it doesn't have a phyical phone number attached to it, unlike the Airave does...this happened not to long ago...when Sprint updated their website, they also did some changes to where if you have a Airave, it has a phone number attached to it...and by that being there its eligible for an upgrade..I don't know why Sprint did that but hell, if it means getting a Evo before my August 1st Primary line 1 year upgrade..then hell I might just do it..

ssteven365 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwillfearnoevil

a lot of ppl have done this at slickdeals forum and documented the process. they've been doing it for awhile with other phones, i don't see why evo would be different.

That's great news. Can you give me a link to the slickdeals post that describes this, or tell me the process?