Data in Europe

[MacWilder]

Regarding the updates. Sprint offers a plan that has "unlimited" data for around $70 a month (i.e., $2.50 a day). However, it can be pro-rated, so that you turn it on when you go and turn it off when you return. You can still turn it on by calling +1-817-698-4199, option 3 from your mobile phone. Service is available at that number 24/7 and there is no charge for that call.

Regarding "I went to Menu / Settings / Connections / Connections, but I don't see an option to go under "Modems"" that may be becauseI made a mistake. I should have noted that,under the last "Connections", you should see a tab for "Tasks" and one of those tasks is "Manage existing connections". That yields a screen also with several tabs. Under one of the tabs, "Modem", you would see the choice of modems "Sprint", hopefully another modem, and then an "Auto Pick" selection. It is the APN for that other modem I am seeking.

[eryeal]

1) $70 unlimited doesn't exist anymore - ended earlier this month, and there's no discount data plan you can buy. Stuck with the per KB charges. I was able to call into Sprint CS and they credited me $25 for the excessive data use of the weather program, which I thought was nice. I also shut off data completely at this point, as there were other times I saw the data icon transmitting data, yet no programs were running, and I don't have any programs that automatically download data. It's a bit odd.

2) All I have in the "Modem" tab listed above is "Sprint World". No other modem listed, and no number next to that modem on that page. When I click on "Edit" for "Sprint World", I get the following selected in Modem: "Cellular Line (GPRS, 3G)"

[MacWilder]

Really. I ordered the unlimited data plan about 2 weeks ago without problems. That's sad as one gets absolutely killed on data use overseas without it, as you noted. Thanks for the information.

[eryeal]

Sounds like you just made it with the data plan - that's what they told me that it just ended about 2 weeks ago!

[MacWilder]

Originally Posted by eryeal

Sounds like you just made it with the data plan - that's what they told me that it just ended about 2 weeks ago!

Maybe. Upon reflection, I'm inclined to think that what the Sprint tech told you is total bs. Frequently, when you ask questions that the Reps cannot readily answer, they will just say anything to get rid of you quickly. For example, when I was talking to a Rep regarding my data problem, they told me that, as of a given date in February, Sprint was no longer supporting data of any sort in The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Greece, which were the three countries about which I inquired. The stated reason: they were having too much trouble with fraud. It develops that none of this was true at all, but they were very specific. I therefore recommend that you call up as if it were the first time to request the plan. If they say the same thing, you should call up again, and maybe even a third time (separating each call from the others by a few hours, of course, to minimize the chance of getting the same rep.) The other way they deal with customers asking complicated questions is to say they are going to transfer you to somebody else and then drop the call entirely. Both happen frequently. In fact, one should hang up on any Rep who appears not to be knowledgeable and start again, as an unknowledgeable rep can cause all sorts of problems when messing around in your account. They may be friendly, but they are not your friends.

[aiiee]

Originally Posted by MacWilder

Really. I ordered the unlimited data plan about 2 weeks ago without problems. That's sad as one gets absolutely killed on data use overseas without it, as you noted. Thanks for the information.

It's been reported by someone here that the data plan was being 'retired' as of 7/11/2010. As far as I know VZW still has theirs for $65/mo, same terms as Sprints , pro-rating etc.

[eryeal]

Originally Posted by MacWilder

Maybe. Upon reflection, I'm inclined to think that what the Sprint tech told you is total bs. Frequently, when you ask questions that the Reps cannot readily answer, they will just say anything to get rid of you quickly. For example, when I was talking to a Rep regarding my data problem, they told me that, as of a given date in February, Sprint was no longer supporting data of any sort in The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Greece, which were the three countries about which I inquired. The stated reason: they were having too much trouble with fraud. It develops that none of this was true at all, but they were very specific. I therefore recommend that you call up as if it were the first time to request the plan. If they say the same thing, you should call up again, and maybe even a third time (separating each call from the others by a few hours, of course, to minimize the chance of getting the same rep.) The other way they deal with customers asking complicated questions is to say they are going to transfer you to somebody else and then drop the call entirely. Both happen frequently. In fact, one should hang up on any Rep who appears not to be knowledgeable and start again, as an unknowledgeable rep can cause all sorts of problems when messing around in your account. They may be friendly, but they are not your
friends.

It has officially been canceled as of this month - I found many news articles about it. No more international data plans - period. Pay per KB.

[jerryyyyy]

OK, I called them at: Inside USA: 1-888-226-7212.

Unlimited data is cancelled. This is the pricing from their web site confirmed by them (for France):

Voice Pricing: $1.29/minute
Data Pricing: $0.016/KB ($16 a MB).
Text Pricing: Send: $0.50/recipient; Recv'd: $0.05/msg

Looks like no more Skype, but I can check e-mail.

A pain, guess there were too many like me using Mobile Skype rather than their voice plan....

[MacWilder]

I believe you. It's terrible. One of the reasons I stayed with Sprint was because of that pricing plan. Verizon had a similar plan and is retaining it. As others have pointed out, you can get absolutely killed without even knowing it on data plans. I suggest that everybody concerned should complain loudly. I personally am considering dropping Sprint and refusing to pay any penalty on the grounds that they know longer offer the feature of importance to me.

[aiiee]

Originally Posted by MacWilder

I believe you. It's terrible. One of the reasons I stayed with Sprint was because of that pricing plan. Verizon had a similar plan and is retaining it. As others have pointed out, you can get absolutely killed without even knowing it on data plans. I suggest that everybody concerned should complain loudly. I personally am considering dropping Sprint and refusing to pay any penalty on the grounds that they know longer offer the feature of importance to me.

That's an excellent argument. You signed up based on their offerings, you signed a contract, based on the state of the offerings at that time. They changed the offerings, I would think that nullifies the contract. I'd like to find out here if you try it.