really? this entire post is complaining about a $10 fee and 3g not being unlimited? ...really?  who gives a fuck about 3g not being unlimited? Its 4g that IS unlimited. READ it. Its right here in there post but they just overshadow it. They say, "oh here look! its not unlimited. see? 5GB limit? oh noes they liez !!" ... that 5gb was for the 3G, not the 4G. Stupid ass. If you didnt see that, you truly buy into what everyone else says so easily and should be put down from your existence.

The 4G clearly stated it having unlimited, just like they've been stating. Also, that $10 extra you pay is IF you get a smartphone. IF. and besides, that $10 is a HELL of a lot cheaper than any roaming or 'going over your data' charges you would get with any other service provider. If you go over your data limit with any other company you have to pay like an extra 25 bucks and isnt truly unlimited. Not to mention, you will always have the thought in the back of your mind wondering how close you are to reaching your data limit each month. Pretty sad feeling since you're already paying $99.99 a mo. for your Verizon unlimited plan that truly doesnt have unlimited data. 

Better watch out, you just might be going over your data limit right now if you're reading this on your phone. Oops, guess you have to pay extra this mo. now dontcha? $10 sure beats the hell of having the 'how close am i to my limit this month' thought. The person who wrote this article and all the people who truly did not read the FACTS about 4g being unlimited are truly retarded.

1) 4G is unlimited. 3G is not.
2)  $10 is only for SMART PHONES
3) $10 is a hell of a lot cheaper than paying 'over your limit' charges with any other company
4) Never have the "how close am i to my limit this mo." thought.

Read the real facts and stop reading articles and believing what they say so easily.

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Glad I found you.  Sprint is advertising out the wazoo these days with the release of the iPhone 4S. Currently on TMobile who has recently pissed me off with their all of a sudden slowness of data.  (Been with them 4 years)  I hate At&T, but it seems they have us by the short 'n curlies.  Monopoly is the cornerstone of any fine democracy, eh?!    Perhaps I'll just wait, but seeing this and other information about these weird charges, Sprint is no longer on my radar.  My bullshit meter went off as soon as I saw that coupled with the "in our network" usage.      Thanks again for getting the word out! 

Article has it ALL completely nailed. Why do they sell it as unlimited, but then allow (no, force!) you to upgrade to a truly unlimited? How do you use MORE than unlimited? They expect people to use it excessively (which isn't possible), so they bill people for their overage ahead of time? If someone doesn't use it excessively (if it were even possible), do they get a refund?

Can a city with free parking tell me that I'm most likely going to park illegally and send me a ticket every month (and on top of that, not refund it when I don't)?

"We can offer unlimited data, as long as usage on the network is reasonable," Dan said. "But if I have an all-you-can-eat buffet, and the entire New England Patriots football team shows up for dinner, it's going to run me out of business."

But if you have and all-you-can-eat buffet and tell everyone they can't have all-you-can-eat after they've paid, it's also going to run you out of business. It's called bait-and-switch, and it affects more than just premium data subscribers. It affects everyone with an 'unlimited' plan.

If I sell you a car and give you a pen, it's going to run me out of business too.

When I bought the Evo and was informed of the extra $10 fee, naturally I was disappointed that my "Simply Everything" wasn't really everything, The Sales Rep. told me "I feel like I'm delivering bad news" and later "the $10 premium data add-on does lift the 5gb monthly limit." After reading through your blog today, I've decided I will also file a complaint with the BBB. Everyone like me who would have previously recommended Sprint to anyone, and no longer will, should also file a complaint with the BBB. The only way corporations fix something that is wrong or broken(recalls for example) is by doing nothing, until doing nothing will cost more than acting on the problem. Everyone has to speak up if there is any hope of this "fee" going away.

what does "in their network mean" for voice? Can you call anyone (even if they are not in your network?)???

But what does Unlimited really mean… not much. Our research shows that average daily use on an iPhone!

hell, there are so popular site !

What's up? Haven't seen a posting in a while now. Don't tell me you're giving up and giving in.

You are doing a great job of pointing out out the hypocrisy, keep up the good work. Eventually I do think it is going to reach a point of false advertising, in my opinion it's pretty much already there. Ultimately I think Sprint just wants to raise their plan prices, but this is such a stupid-fuck approach to doing it.

Here's what I'm going to do - I've already started as a matter of fact. At night when I plug my evo in to charge, I'm going to download a random Linux ISO - Every.Night. I'll do the same with my wife's Hero. After 4-5 nights, I should find out definitively if there's a cap on other phones without the "premium data" (hero). I'll share my results.

It's funny you mentioned that, because before the Evo came out, I discussed with my friend the idea of downloading Linux ISO's through bittorrent every day, just to use a ridiculous amount of data so I could say I got my $10 worth lol.

There is no usage cap, that's just a misinformed theory that is spread to help justify the fee. People have been using >5GB for a long time now, before 4G even came out.

A co-worker jumped on the HTC EVO. I decided not too because I jumped on the PRE and well.. I have been disappointed that PALM and SPRINT released basically BETA phones/OS's to the public and has been trying to fix it for over a year. While the phone works many of the improvements come from users who root/mod the phone to do what many belive it should be able to do, not what SPRINT wants it to do..

Anyway I found out about the $10 fee and I agree with the fact it is bogus to charge a premium for basically what the phone already does on its own (HD video, camera, kickstand, etc).

So I asked my co-worker to give me his data usage at the end of the month.
He uses his phone all day at work, watching youtube videos/listenign to music (family guy/comedians,etc), going to forums for xbox and posting on forums all the time. He literally has to charge his phone multiple times during the day (same with any phone when using ALL of its features).

Anyway he stated when he got his bill that he only used a little over [bold]2 GB[/bold] of data.

So I was wondering maybe we can take a poll on HOW MUCH DATA people are using on the EVO to see if it REALLY gives us a "richer experience" and the fact it MAY use MORE data?.

Just a thought.

P.S. also he stated that when he is at work in a building that the 4G signal is weaker and switches to 3G... I actually went to a near by window with the HTC EVO, Palm PRE, and a coworkers TMOBILE HTC she just got (looks like the EVO with buttons at the bottom instead of touch screen) and we all searched and clicked on the SAME VIDEO to see which was faster.
1) TMOBILE (maybe 2 sec faster loading)
2) HTC EVO/PALM PRE (pretty much the same)

Not sure if weather conditions or sun hitting the ground or any other anomalies could have caused what happened, but so far I don't see a HUGE upgrade on Data, but the PHONE is awesome as a device it self. SO far it has nothing to do with SPRINTS network.

Patterson, in regards to how much data people are using: not only are most Evo users probably using whatever amount of data they would use with any other phone, but I'm fairly positive that their usage will decrease as they stop playing with their phones so much. The Evo has been out for a little over a month and most people are still playing with their new toys. I bet if you survey data usage after the first 30 days, then after the first 90 days, you'll find that the Evo doesn't cause people to use any more data than they might normally be inclined to use, or at least not so much that Sprint should collect an extra $10 for it. People who use lots of data probably have those habits regardless of what phone they have, and the same logic applies to people who don't use lots of data.

Sprint does not have a data cap for its mobile phone plans, phone data (used by the phone in anyway except tethering or phone-as-modem) remains unlimited.. The only data cap is on the data-card, usb modem, and myfi type devices. That data cap is clear at 5GB on Sprint network or 300MB on roaming network (If you exceed either, there is a per MB fee of $0.25 that starts 7/11/2010 for those changing their plan)

$10 Premium Data REQUIRED "add-on" is deceptive as not only does Sprint continue to tell people it is required on top of an already existing unlimited data plan, but that it too provides unlimited data - yes, that may be true, but why do we need it? How has Sprint "enriched" 3G data on the premium plan that others dont already get on a 3G "Simply Everything" plan - should now the Simply Everything plan be renamed to Simply Almost Everything, Simply Something. Are we getting via 3G data on the Premium Data plan better TV channels not offered to other 3G customers? Are we getting better mail applications for pictures? Are we getting faster then 3G speed on a 3G phone then other 3G phones get? (I know the difference between EVDO 0 and EVDO A - most current smartphones are EVDO A now)

Thats the point we are trying to make here - Sprint is trying to say that the hardware is better (DUH WE KNOW!) and that it is required because of such, that we pay more per month because the data is better. Well my HDTV is bigger and better then my neighbors, does that mean I pay Comcast or Dish or DirecTV or even my local free stations a fee thats higher then my neighbor because my stuff is better? NO. Why? Because it doesnt cost more to broadcast to my TV then it does my neighbors 5 inches smaller TV. It doesnt cost Sprint to send data to my phone at the same speed as other phones that also are 3G (I do not live in a 4G area, and I will not for well over a year), nor is the data any "better" or "richer" then before - so why do I have to pay more for the same thing just because I pay more for my phone upfront then my roommates Hero?

Thats what we want answered.

Great job as always! Your investigative skills will certainly help all current Spring customers in dealing with their carrier and potential customers in general on what to stay away from.

You make very good points. Sprints terminology is misleading and unclear. As a Sprint customer for 4 years I can confirm when asking for clarification on prices, plans, billing..etc there are always multiple answers to one simple question. But instead of existing customers Sprint is now reeling in potentially new, ignorant and unwitting people into their web of hidden fees, lies, manipulative practices and deceptions.

File a class action lawsuit and I'll be the first to sign on!

I was on the phone with a rep yesterday and asked about the data cap, because Sprint's cap is 5 GB and T-Mobile is 10 GB (we are researching new carriers because our two-year contract has been up for quite some time now). She vehemently insisted that there was no data cap. I told her that I had read the fine print of the contract and that's what it sald. If I had the page up in front of me, I would have pointed her to it but I decided to drop the argument because it wasn't central to the point I was trying to make.

This just shows their reps don't know what they are selling. There is a disconnect between the website and the salespeople for sure.

The data caps are for the Mobile Broadband Devices (i.e. USB 3G/4G cards, PCMCIA Cards, Mobile Routers, etc..). The caps do not aply to the handsets. Most likely because so few people exceed those caps using a handset it's no issue for sprint to simply leave it be. The Mobile cards are only used on PC's directly. It's not at all odd for a home user to exceed 5GB/mo, especially with streaming radio/video/etc (i.e. Pandora, YouTube, Hulu, etc...). IMO, this 5GB cap is going to go away in the future as more and more people begin using more bandwidth and as phones make it easier and more desirable to access this content. The capability has been here for years. Sprint had no problem with me using it on my windows mobile phone for $49.99/month.. Why it's now an issue with the EVO is absurd. I still stream Pandora and my Slingbox yet on this phone it costs me $30 more per month. Plus, even if I return my EVO and go back to my old phone, I'll only save the $10 Premium Data fee, even though I was paying $49.99 for years. Had I not switched I would still be paying $49.99.

To get any company to bend to your will, doubtful, just look at AT&T with Iphone (Apple), they can do whatever they want period. So going back to the issue at hand, this is my take. Iphone 4 & EVO 4G are the Ferrari's of their respected carriers and to drive them on each respected networks there is a nominal monthly fee that will be required for activation. AT&T range from $30-$40 add on and Sprint $10. Now it's time to choose a plan, AT&T choose amount of data/text/nav/tv/ minutes etc needed for monthly use, now Sprint- choose an everything data plan with minutes needed or simply everything for monthly use. Tada, that's it.

Now if your desire is to have any major company comply to your will well then don't hold your breath but at the same time it's your time to use so go ahead and use it on your six and not everyone else's but if you needed to know what the $10 fee was all about then your question has been resolved.

@ Maverick

You are obviously missing the point. This site, this fee, and the objective of getting it explained have absolutely nothing to do with AT&T. Their prices and practices are completely irrelevant. The goal here is to get Sprint to explain this fee in a logical way that doesn't contradict themselves and/or make them look like shady cheats. In life you can't just misbehave then point to someone across the room and say, "He did it too," and expect any leniency. You just can't justify misleading and (in my opinion) taking advantage of people with the prior bad acts of others. They are charging a fee because they can get away with it, and validating it in a way that obviously make no sense at all. Of course people are angry and seeking an explanation. Compare this situation to driving a car that takes premium gasoline. None of us really mind paying the higher price for the better quality fuel. Well, we understand and accept it anyway. However, if we found out that it was exactly the same as the cheap gas, there would be a predictable outpouring of hostility. This would be especially true if we were then forced to continue paying for the "Premium", knowing it was no better than what everyone else was getting for less. This is the root of the problem with the "Premium Data" fee. If you can't wrap your head around that one then you really don't belong here, and I have a moron tax I'd really like to talk to you about.

I pay $45.00 a month to use this network with Clear and it is limited by the way. Read the Clear forums to see how often they throttle to less than dial up. Sprint uses the same rules as clear. They are ripping you off with extra fees. Clear is in dire financial condition. Sprint owns nearly half of Clear. So your paying extra to help keep it afloat a little time longer. Thank you from all us Clear customers for paying so much more for the same thing we get. The bad news is your getting ripped on everything you pay for. Just like you country has been sold to China. Yea I sound like a nut. Thats just what they like you to think. If people don't elect non politicians soon we will all be living in a feudal system in object poverty working for a rich family. They use lobby money to buy your rights and protective laws. Your govenment has been bought and paid for. What will you do to get it back? People died to provide us a better life. Will we let it go so easy as long as we have PS3 a flat screen, a computer and a car? Soon you won't have that. Wake up people and run for office yourself. You just might win.

@ Outrageousjon

You are obviously missing the point. The answer to the question is clear, end of story. Next!

Why are you even here? It is apparent that you are either clueless, a company shill, or just stirring up trouble for your own perverse amusement. In any case, you are bringing nothing of value to this forum, not even a semi-sensible opinion of why the policy is as it is. Nothing is "clear", as you say. In fact, every step of the way Sprint has clouded the truth with vague phrasing and double-talk, or equivocations about how they might still be cheaper than other carriers. A truthful and complete answer has yet to be given. Next? ...and you are a douche

It hasn't been resolved, except by consumers, sprint has not and will not give a direct answer

@Matt Ashbaugh

Yes it has. Next!

Maverick86, your quick replies stating that the issue has been resolved doesn't help anything. If you're going to claim that it's been answered, then please enlighten us. Give me an explanation that is clear, concise and makes logical sense. But please refrain from making comments such as, "Just because" or "that's how it is".

*sigh* I wish they could get you on Oprah or something lol...that would spread the word sooo quick and bring it to the public eye and let a lot more people know how foolish this $10 fee thing is. Now it's really hard to know if the fee is for possibly increased data usage (which technically still falls under "unlimited", the real "unlimited" - not Sprint's "unlimited") or if Sprint is just trying to get away with charging more for nicer phones. When you look at this post I just don't see how people can defend this fee. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!!! Plain and simple...it needs to go or Sprint needs to get their explanation straight. If Sprint wasn't so cheap and convenient for me, I would just get a Droid X and not have to fool with this perplexing situation.

You mentioned Sprint charging more for nicer phones.

1. Sprint is the only network with a 4G up-and-coming network that is LIVE at the moment. They are promoting it more then they have when "Vision" (1XRTT DATA) was launched in late 2001, and even more then "Power Vision" (EVDO DATA) launched in 2004. They REALLY are pushing to get people onto it not only to make money and satisfy demand for broadband speed, but because its WiMAX, a technology that is incompatible with LTE (what every single other carrier, even small regional carriers Sprint has roaming agreements in CDMA flavor with are going to). Sprint NEEDS DESPERATELY to succeed in a technology considered by many, "a flop", "Dead in the water", and "obsolete".

2. Sprint is adding the fee to ALL new Smartphones that are capable of 4G, even in NON-4G areas. They are doing this, because WiMAX is costly to deploy, in addition its very costly to have only a few hundred thousand phones manufactured with a technology that is extremely limited for production (WiMAX vs. LTE). Because of this, Sprint could either A) Have high 4G phone prices, stunting their 4G growth and adoption rate, or B) Have low cost 4G phones, promoting their 4G growth and adoption rate, but charge a surcharge disguised as something else - thus making back the high cost of the phone and network deployment.

Does this make it right - HELL NO. Is it ethical - BORDERLINE. Can they do it - SURE.

But for the record, dont expect Sprint to stop. ALL 4G CAPABLE PHONES will have this fee, even non-smartphones in the future. Currently all Android phones coming to Sprint are now 4G capable and will have this fee. To note - there are TWO more phones coming in less then a month, both carry the fee.

I think for most of us it's been pretty obvious from day 1 that this bogus fee was instituted to recoup the cost of 4G. Otherwise they'd have a harder time showing a profit for the next few years. What bothers most of us is 1) how Dan Hesse initially lied when he said 4G would be free and 2) how he had continued to snowball that lie with all the BS/contradictory reasoning for this fee. So yes, in effect he wants everyone to pay for his 4G network, even those who won't even see it in their area until long after they've replaced their EVO with a newer phone.

Unfortunately, the root of the problem here IMO is the fact that people are willing to pay this fee just to get the phone. If there were more of a backlash and people would just collectively pass on the Evo, they'd have no choice but to drop the fee.

That's why I respect this site very much. Hopefully at some point, someone with authority will get wind of what they're doing and come down hard on Sprint over this.

William, I agree with you 100%. After reading your comment, I realize the fee is more for the cost of paying Clearwire to use their network. The only phones with the fee are 4G phones. I know only 2 phones are out/coming out, but it's not a coincidence that 4G phone = $10 charge. The question is if they will make a 3g only smartphone as well featured as the Epic and Evo are, and then not charge the fee. Not a likely situation since such a phone would probably have high demand and Sprint would miss out on an opportunity to charge the $10 fee, but it would be very interesting. As someone who lives in a 4G area, I couldn't care less about 4G. I just want a nice phone that runs smoothly, and I don't see why I should have to pay an extra $10 monthly for something I don't need.

I've heard that it's not too difficult to modify a WiMAX network to work with LTE. In fact, Engadget even mentions that "It's no huge secret that the differences between LTE and WiMAX aren't exceedingly drastic," and Clearwire CEO has stated "that a move to LTE would be a simple software upgrade for much of its equipment, meaning Clearwire could almost literally change technologies overnight and with minimum expense." So apparently, the two are not as incompatible as you seem to think.

Would a non-smartphone benefit at all from 4G? And without all the bells and whistles of a smartphone, I don't see how Sprint would be able to justify the $10 "premium data" charge on a non-smartphone... Not that I'd surprised to see them try, but it seem that if they do that, they might as well just admit that the charge is for 4G.

Glenn, I don't think they'd care to justify it. Their current justification on the 4G phones out now is the hardware features of the device - I think they'd probably do something similar if they came out with a 4g non-smartphone.