To get Everything+, Google "Sprint EPR" & 383.
Googling “Sprint iPhone” gives one a ton of results, but of course you already know about it from our previous coverage. We’ve been less-than-enthused about this persistent rumor, but as October approaches, it’s looking more and more like a done deal.
TUAW is reporting that Sprint is training reps on supporting the iPhone. A generally reliable site with good sources, TUAW also notes, interestingly enough, that they’re training their staff on iPhone 4s, not on the still-mythical iPhone 5. It’s entirely possible that this is so as to not to leak details, but it’s also possible that we’re going to see an iPhone 4 in October, as widely reported, but no iPhone 5 anywhere until 2012.
The bigger picture reveals that Sprint may be prepping for the iPhone in other ways as well. Those on the underdog network tend to effuse about how they have the lowest rate and the best terms of service. That looks to be shifting and in big ways. It started with Sprint raising their Early Termination Fee (aka exit penalty) from $200 to $350, a substantial jump (incidentally, if you’re a Sprint user who wishes to terminate without hitting that pesky ETF, now’s the time). Now, Engadget reports that Sprint is nixing their Premier program as well as cutting their return policy from 30 days to 14. On the happier side of things, it’s also been widely reported that Sprint will offer their current unlimited data plan with the iPhone, instead of switching to tiered data like every other network.
When you measure total cost of ownership, Sprint remains the best value for an on-contract network, particularly if you’re lucky enough to have an old SERO or Everything Plus Referral plan. However, this flood of changes suggests you may want to read the fine print carefully before you sign.
The most insidious thing about the ETF fees, in my opinion, is that corporate America is largely willing to accept them without much question. While the individual consumer finds them really painful, I’m willing to bet that Sprint realizes the majority of their smartphone users are on corporate plans. (That’s exactly what I’m doing right now, in fact. And I can assure you that if I quit my job or was let go for whatever reason, I’d only be responsible for returning my handset – not paying any ETF fees related to it.) Cutting the return policy to 14 days is another one of those ways they can cut their costs, while not *really* upsetting that many people. After all, people who really want a new phone or really want to change carriers are likely to reason that “2 weeks is plenty of time for me to make sure the new phone they give me works properly”. Everyone who’s been using their equipment for over a month won’t care anyway.
I guess I feel like if these changes prevent more pervasive rate increases (such as eliminating unlimited data plans), I’m all for it as smarter places to find profits.