Rumor Confirmed - Android phones will be available for SERO 10/1
 

Users on sprintusers.com forums claim sprint reps confirm that Android will be available for SERO and other legacy Sprint plans for a $10/month up-charge (plus an additional $10 for "flagship devices" like evo, epic).

This post [sprintusers.com] begins the discussion which will play out for a while on several forums, but there should be more details to come in a press statement by Sprint, rumored to be released to legacy users on 9/1.

The rumored details:
1) October 1st, the restrictions on legacy plans will be lifted
2) Android will cost $10 extra per month for my plan
3) Evo4G would cost an additional $10 per month, for $50 total ($30+10+10)
4) Information will be printed in upcoming bills
5) Customer care received this information recently, but wasn't supposed to say anything until 2 days ago.


If this is posted in the wrong section please forgive me and move the thread. Thank you for your patience.

This post can and should be edited by users like you :)
 

Adding this info in regards to all the forthcoming questions on the recently announced additional $10 fee
http://mcguireslaw.com/2011/01/18...mium-data/
I’ve gotten lots of comments and notes today asking an obvious question for those long-term customers that either already have or are considering upgrading to the SERO Premium plan - does this mean that SERO Premium customers will have to pay another $10 on top of the $10 step up just required on October 1 so that SERO customers could enjoy smartphones?

Good news - the answer is no. You will not be charged another $10 Premium Data charge for most smartphones - it’s included in SERO Premium.

As we’ve discussed at length here, the SERO Premium plans were introduced for precisely the same reason the Premium Data fee is being extended to all smartphones - in recognition of the higher cost associated with devices that naturally drive lots more traffic onto our network. Today’s announcement is just following the same logic for Sprint’s current postpaid plans that was applied for SERO Premium.

To upgrade to SEROP from SERO or if your plan went from SERO to Fair and Flexible and you want Sprint to switch you back:
- call 888-876-8381
- or email : everythingreferral@sprint.com]

Russ McGuire's blog if you have a question you need answered:
http://mcguireslaw.com/2009/07/24...hing-plus/

Russ Says:
October 7th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
TJ - I just verified. Customers can switch from SERO Premium back to SERO Basic with no problem. Not just in the first 30 days. Of course, you can’t use an iconic device on a SERO Basic plan, but other than that, no problem switching.



I am a SERO customer considering an upgrade and understand SERO rate plans aren't compatible with all devices. What devices aren't compatible with these plans?

The Samsung Instinct, Samsung Instinct S30, Samsung Instinct HD, Samsung Moment, HTC Hero, Palm Pre, Palm Pixi, HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Epic 4G are not compatible with current SERO rate plans. If you are considering an upgrade to one of these devices, you will need to also upgrade your rate plan to one of the Everything Plus Data (Individual or Family) rate plans. HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Epic 4G also require the $10 Premium Data add-on. Effective 10/1/10, new SERO Premium rate plans will be available which will be compatible with the devices listed above. Only customers on a current SERO rate plan as of 10/1/10 will be eligible to swap to a SERO Premium plan.

What are the plan details of the new SERO Premium rate plans?

As of 10/1/10, there will be two SERO Premium plans available, SERO Premium 500 at $40/month and SERO Premium 1250 at $59.99/month. SERO Premium plans will match current SERO rate plans with two added features, Any Mobile Anytime and Unlimited GPS Navigation. SERO Premium rate plans will be compatible with all devices offered by Sprint. Only customers on a current SERO rate plan as of 10/1/10 will be able to swap to a SERO Premium rate plan. 4G handsets such as HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Epic 4G will also require the $10 Premium Data add-on.

LINKY [sprint.com]
Just to summarize...

This is only for current SERO plan holders. The wording specifically states "by 10/1/10" so if you can find another current SERO user from possibly this thread..
http://slickdeals.net/forums/show...4&t=931400
..to duplicate their line (cloning) and transfer it out to you before October 1st, you may be eligible for the new SERO Premium when it comes out. It's highly YMMV though.

The SERO 500 $30 plan (the one most of us are currently on...) will still be available "as long as the plan code is available" as stated by a CSR. This could mean anything, but it should stick around hopefully.

The new plan will be called SERO Premium it includes Any Mobile Anytime (free calling to 280m+ people on on any mobile phone on any network) and GPS navigation, in addition to whatever you currently have on your SERO plan (unlimited text, data..all stay etc.).

You should think of this as a three tiered plan.

• SERO 500 - $30
• SERO Premium 500 - $40
• SERO Premium 500 $40 +$10 "Premium data" fee for 4G devices for a total of $50

For SERO 1250 users, your plan will be $9.99 more across...$49.99 SERO Premium 150...$59.99 with 4G data fee.
This is especially nice since you will be saving money originally anyway. I believe you still can stay on SERO 1250 @ $50 if you wanted..but I don't see why since the new SERO 1250 Premium starts at $49.99...so you get more for less.

@ $30 (your current rate plan)-You get Windows Mobile smartphones plus any other phones they have on their line-up excluding Android/WebOS/4G devices
@ $40 (SERO Premium)..you get their full line-up but...
@ $50 you get their 4G devices. Remember though it is not a tier, though you can consider it as one, because it is actually SERO Premium @ $40 with the $10 Premium data add-on (which is for all Sprint plans and is not just a SERO designated fee.)

BlackBerry users should have received a letter in the mail by now..or very soon..that they will have to upgrade to SERO Premium @ $40 with BIS. You will not be able to stay on SERO 500 @ $30 if you had BIS waived. This is the only downside of the new plans...BIS was supposed to be a $10 add-on but if you got it waived by a CSR, then it will suck for you.

Currently looking at the Sprint Upgrade list, to give you an idea of which phones cost what here is a list:
@ $30 plan phones
-HTC Touch Pro 2

@$40 plan phones
-Samsung Moment
-HTC Hero with Google
-Motorola i1
-Blackberry Bold 9650

@$50 plan phones
-Samsung Epic 4G
-Evo 4G


The text from this link [sprint.com]:
It seems that changing to the new plan offers:
+ Access to any Sprint phone
+ Any Mobile Anytime
+ Unlimited GPS Navigation (meaning free access to Sprint's GPS software,redundant on Android/Windows Mobile phones)
- No more additional discounts
- $10 more per month, or $20 for 4G devices

Success

Called Sprint this morning from my house phone at 888-211-4727. I spoke to a lady and told her that I wanted to switch my Blackberry to a HTC Hero. She said ok and asked for the ESN (DEC #). She activated it, I made a test call and I was able to use the phone. She said that my plan is $40, including Any Mobile to Mobile and Sprint Navigation. She told me to keep my old phone off for 24 Hours, and that the data could take up to an hour to work on my Hero. 5 minute wait time and 5 minutes on the phone.

To upgrade to SEROP:
- call 888-876-8381
- or email : everythingreferral@sprint.com




Before everyone starts asking, NO, you can not sign up for a new SERO line. The only current way to obtain one is to buy a line off of somebody who currently has one (or get it transferred from a friend/relative).

This thread pertains to current SERO customers only.

This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.

Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Assuming you're getting an android or something for 50 bucks per line if that's the case. If you have more than two lines of it, it might be better off getting the fam data plan instead with referral discount... idk

this will be very nice :)

Luv it.
Thanx.

No freaking way!!! Was going to get the TP2 but will now wait! :)

Can we still tether for free?

just got rid of my sero for evo 20 days ago...
I'll be kinda mad if its true >_>:(

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG KICKASS!!! FARK YEAH!! :whee: Been sitting on my my upgrade since last December. Was planning to upgrade for the Evo..but said it wasn't worth it. Now THIS I WILL DO!! :clap:

OP...you are getting a huge rep from me :D

I knew Dan had to do something. I've been :ranting: on him this entire time for being a douche not helping out us SERO users.

I had to think that there must be a significant enough number of users on SERO to justify something...but I guess he just didn't care.

If this is all true...then Dan.....touche..I tip my hat to you :nod: You proved me wrong.

BUT IT DOESN'T END THERE!! :clap:

"With the $10 add on you will also get GPS navigation, any mobile to mobile as well as some other options. There will be an email or notification sent to us legacy/sero plan holders on Sept. 1st."

awesome :thumbup:

I've been telling myself (as sure others have) that I really couldn't justify the stupid cost.

I would be paying $70 + $10 "Because I'm Dan Hesse" fee.

$80 + tax...ugh. It's more than 2x the cost of what I'm paying right not for essentially the same service (I don't use my minutes up..plus I have Pick 3 anyway..).

I just couldn't do it. Even if I could pull a 25% or something employee discount..I'd still be paying around $62.50 not including tax. (discount doesn't apply to $10 fee)

Even if I somehow got them to EPRP @ 59.99/month..with the $10 fee..i'm still at $55 no incl. tax. and that was a stretch since they don't do discounts on EPRP.

And even that was even a further stretch because i'm not eligible for the 25% and I would have to sneak my way in to do it. Via my employer..I only get 17% I think.

Now @ $50..I think I can swallow it :nod: But by then..I might not want an Evo and just pay the extra $10 to get some other non-4G phone or something :D

awesome news

this won't be very nice :mad:

COOL. good thing i didn't upgrade my TP2 to an EVO

This is pretty awesome news, but now I'm faced with a quandary. I was contemplating hitching up to my family's VZW share plan for about $50 a month and getting a Droid X. Oh well, guess I have some time to decide :).

SERO (with all droid buy-ups) is around the same price-wise vs a VZW family share or Sprint Everything Data with a corp discount. Sprint, though, has the best individual option with SERO of any phone plan around.

It is kind of crazy that you have to pay $10 to buy up for a device that is license-free (vs WM devices), but no other carrier in the country is selling top notch droid phones at 50 a month all inclusive.

Hot diggity

i hope this is true!!!!!!!!!!!!!! october is a long way from here

Sweet!!! I've been wanted an Android phone.

I don't know, seems like $20 increase, kinda kills the point of SERO. Same time, my phone is nearing 3 years, so kinda need to upgrade

Well you have to compare it to the cost of a regular plan with the additional $10 on top as well. I think it still comes out cheaper for us on SERO.

Ya, that's a good popint. I just have to weigh the following

paying what I pay now, versus what android brings and whether its worth it.

i can also trying buying used motorola moto q9c off ebay if mine dies to maybe prolong this for next few years?:P

Isn't the whole point of this though to make it sort of enticing to people to get off SERO? With all of the things Sprint has thrown at people in credits each month to get people off SERO, I'm honestly not surprised they're making it closer to the cost of things like EPRP or whatever.

ya, that's my point, we have 3 lines and paying $82 for it :)

Exactly. That is the spot all of us are/were in. The choice used to be pay double what we pay now for the ability to use an android phone but now the choice is a hell of a lot easier being only $10 more a month for vanilla Android. As for the EVO and most likely the Epic, only $20 more a month. Depending on the phones avail, I think I would do it for $10 extra a month. I still need to think about it for $20 a month though.

ya, i need/want a smartphone, so thats the kicker :\

to me it seems like a very reasonable compromise.. It lets the sero user have a choice, and if people don't want to shell out an extra 20, there are plenty of good phones for an extra 10 ("vanilla android", BIS upgrade) and if they don't want to shell out an extra 10 there are plenty of other good smart and dumb phones available for 30 a month on sero.. If people want to complain, let them complain and go to any other carrier and pay 80/mo.
If sprint can get through this deal without screwing it up then i offer them a big congrats on a good decision and a good way to increase their margins by over 60% on legacy users.

Try calling and getting back on it... within 21 or 25 or 30 days they might do it? Maybe even longer.

Still did the math though... $69.99+$10=$80

The highest corp discount I have seen with Sprint is 27%..but you're unlikely to get that..25% is more probable. If you did get it at 27% anyway...it would be only on the main plan..not the $10 add-on fee.

$69.99-$17.50=$52.49+$10=$62.49, not incl. tax. And NO I do not need to call everyone in America :lol: So unlimited minutes are useless to me.

I think it's a great compromise. $10 extra for SERO premium. $10 for "Dan Hesse" fee (aka 4G fee).

The best part of it is that we have CHOICE. For anyone on an Everything Data plan...they pay the same $69.99 for all phones, but an extra $10 for the Evo and some other 4G (I think it's the Samsung) coming soon.

With SERO...for $30 we get the choice of most phones + windows mobile. For $10 more..we can include BIS data services (all carriers charge this..except it's $30 in most cases so $10 is a very good deal..). or we can get a Palm Pre or some other non-4G device. If we want a 4G device..we have to pay an additional $10 fee...just because it's all "magical" apparently.

But anyway..if this all pans out like how it was said on the forums...it's very nice. $50 individually I think is a very good deal for practically unlimited everything (someone on the forum said the $10 "Sero Premium" fee also includes the unlimited m2m calling like on their Everything Data tier plans..).

Regardless..I think it's still a great deal for individual users. Some no-names and Sprint subsidiaries offer $50 unlimited everything..but it's restricted to their expensive crappy phones.

Remember..there's still the Hero and moment if you wanted Android..those will probably only $10/more vs. $20 more for the Evo.

I think it still balances out as a good deal at the end of the day for individual users :nod:

Remember..you can always get the Hero/moment if Android is your only concern..and only $10 more :P
Wow..great deal! Is it SERO w/corp? Or some family plan? Unlimited data and text?

yes

sero + 25% corp stacked
all unlimited and free calls 7pm on hence why i wanna savor it!

You have unlimited minutes? How the hell did you pull that off? Never seen someone do that before :lol:

7pm I thought was standard with all SERO plans though..I have it...nbd for me :lol:

nono
unlimited text data and email pictur mail/etc

limirted, 500 is plenty for me and my family since we have individual minutes

how did you add corp discount?, they told me i cant get corp discount because I have employee discount ..

can somone else confirm with sprint about this, only one person confirmed, maybe someone lied to him, or maybe he misunderstood.

it's been 3+ years since i did it. i don't remember;)

this is HOT! I can't wait!

Back when SERO first came out they weren't as strict about applying corp discounts. I think I have a 17% discount on mine and it wasn't worth it to try for more as I don't want it completely taken away which has happened to some people. I think I read that with the new system it is impossible for them to add an employee discount to SERO/EPRP but I don't know if that is true or not.

Any idea if this includes WebOS? LOL I love H/Palm's OS, even if the hardware is a lil lacking.

Damn, I just got off sero when the evo came out. My phone was completely dead though so I don't feel too bad. Anyway, good deal if it's true.

Hi,
I have a legacy family plan with 3 lines (1000 min, unlimited data/text), if this fee apply to each line, I am looking at $30 increase + EVO fees.
Can someone please confirm if this fee is per line or per plan?
Thank you.

This "deal" appears to be a spurious rumor. A number of users at sprintusers have received denials when emailing or calling Sprint directly to ask about this change in policy. See, for example: http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/...tcount=357

I think it's too early to say.. Some reps confirm it, some deny.. I updated the wiki to say rumor confirmed (sort of), but I think that's where we leave it for now. What makes you think you know any more than anyone else because some sprint reps have no clue?

I am so glad that I stick with my legacy plan and old SERO. The old SERO plan will go up in price on ebay.

you can sell the plan? How would you do that?

Selling SERO on eBay?
 

How do you "sell" a SERO plan to a 3rd party? Wouldn't the account have to stay under your name and credit?

Maybe I'm missing something, but seems like a path fraught with peril to me?!

.

It is called transfer of liability. You can transfer your plan to someone else if they pass a credit check (or if they already have an account with sprint a credit check is not necessary.) After the account is transferred, you are out and not responsible for the account anymore.

thanks for the explanation. It is good to know we have that option! It's good to know the plan is so coveted!:nod:

Fair enough, and I'm certainly not blaming you for posting it... I was pretty excited to see it too :) But I don't think it should really be called confirmed at the point.

If it is false, it is the most counterproductive rumor for Spring, ever. If it's false, they're basically encouraging people to stay on their least-profitable plan (SERO) for a extra few months, and then they're going to disappoint us. If it's true, they're basically admitting that we SERO diehards are never going to quit the plan without meeting us halfway.

So, yeah, it would make good sense for Sprint if it were true... which is partly why I worry that it may not be... pessimistic? :-p

The 500 min plans (with $75 or $150 upgrade avail) seem to be going for $170 - $220 on ebay. If the rumor about Android is true, I am sure the selling price will go up a bit. If the rumor is true however I have no reason to sell in the near future regardless.

[SERO] Great NEWS for Sprint SERO Users, The wait is over. Android/WebOS will be available to the SERO after Oct 1st
 

Just a head up.

Yes. Multiple sources confirmed the rumor. :bounce:

If you are in SERO but want a new phone, hold until OCT 1st.

http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/...95&page=25

To make it clear:

Let's say original SERO is $30/mon

Android phone, you will need $10 more (that's $40/mon)
4G phone, you will need $20 more (that's $50/mon)

NNOOOOO! I just got TP2 with 2 years extension in May :mad::mad::mad:

me too. but at least i dont have to pay $10/mo more (which is what it sounds like will happen if i were to have upgraded to an android)

The $10 a month more would only be included if you got the evo cause it's for 4g access (whether you have it or not). Any other android phone wouldn't cost you anything extra.

me 3....

multiple rumors are still rumors.

I'll believe it when I see it online on the Sprint website or in print. I'm not upgrade eligible until December anyway.

I guess if I was upgrading in August/September, I might wait an extra month or two to see what happens. But I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

does this mean that if you have a $30 plan, and you get the EVO, it will be $10 for andriod and then $10 more for 4g, making it a $50 plan?

awesome! i will only have 1 year remaining on my contract then....1 more year wait is tolerable.

no, its 10 extra for the 4g. android phones shouldnt be extra.

Well, I'd hope so, but they make you pay $10 more for BIS, why not Andriod.

Man, I was just about to move to an EPRP plan

Also just dropped two phone off SERP for an ERP plan so I could get EVO (which runs rings around touch pro). This would really bite... but agree that rumours are rumours- SERO working with Android just doesn't make sense as they do everything they can to entice people off that plan.

dang, I got my TP2 last week after being out of contract for more than an year :(

BIS is an extra service provided by RIM. Android is just another operating system already preinstalled in the cell phones.

Finally......almost time to retire my Palm Centro

Wow this blows. I renewed my contract in Feb. UGH! If this pans out my gf may end up getting a better phone then me! :(

Anyone recommend the best phone to get where you dont have to pay the extra $10 a month. The Hero phone?

Seems too good to be true. My contract is up in November but I can renew in September. I guess I can wait until October. My only gripe with my Sero plan was the terrible Windows Mobile phone I have to use but if I can get in on Android, it will be the perfect service for me. Phone and data service is great, much better than the &*(#$^%$ AT&T service I had before.

I've been out of contract for about 7 months now but still enjoying my HTC Touch (more than 2 years old) that I put Android on it. Love it but may consider getting a better android phone if it's available in Oct.

Im out of contract, and my Data no longer works. I got a replacement phone and still no Data. There are no restrictions on my account, it just doesn't work. Man I hate sprint.

repost : http://slickdeals.net/forums/show...&t=2132148

Really?

I am 22 months out of contract and everything works like normal. Even with a phone change and another phone change and a third phone change back to another the other phone change.

So there is only one 4G phone, the EVO, but what is the best 3G Android phone on Sprint? I've been avoiding doing much research in the past because it would only depress me knowing I was stuck with WM6.5.

You made my day

Agreed. I'll bide my time until this happens... I have a couple backup Centros too, in case the contract holdout lasts into training camp.

Crap! Just got TP2 in April. I want to kill my self right now for making that decision.

Great news, but wait, $10 more a month just to be able to use a certain phone?
I'm glad my Touch Pro 2 was an insurance replacement, not a new contract.
I want the Samsung Moment, personally.
I'd get the Evo if they didn't have the absurd $10/month surcharge to live in a city without 4G.

sweet if true. Still got my $30 sero and a TP2 I bought last fall.

I guess people who recently renewed and upgraded to TP2 don't have to feel that bad as Windows new mobile OS will be out by that time and some geek will find a hack to upgrade TP2 to that new OS. I hope as I'm one of those who got TP2 in May.:-(

Yup, i've tried everything. My cousin even works at Sprint and he had no idea what to do.

I wanted the EVO real bad, but I'm going for the Droid X now.

I'll believe this when I see it published somewhere on Sprint's domain.

Clearing up the confusion
 

The $10 extra has nothing to do with the Android OS. The $10 extra is for Anymobile Anytime( which is worth $10 right there) and unlimited sprint navigation. Any 4G phone is another $10 a month. So if you were to get the EVO, after Oct 1st, It will be $20 more and you get 4G access and any mobile anytime.

For those really wanting to you can install Android on a a number of HTC devices.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/20...ile-phone/

Well that is certainly good news, but I still think I'm giving up on Sprint. Not so much as for the SERO / phone issue, but because they just discontinued their international data plans this month, which is going to cause a lot of international travelers to abandon Sprint altogether. Now it's a per KB price, which is about 50 times more expensive than their plans. I'm not sure why they did such a move - surely they know they've just abandoned their international traveling customers.

So can I skip it? I don't want anything other than normal calling, text messaging, and unlimited data. The rest is fluff.
I only even want a new phone because the TP2 is just like any other WM phone, a steaming pile of crap that even fails to fulfill its primary function as a phone.

Yeah, sure...
I installed a fairly recent build of Android on my TP2 and it is finally able to make calls, but that's about it. It is still, despite what everyone says, very far from truly usable.

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so glad I waited on upgrading the SERO phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

is it a good idea to get the phones now (or before the oct1st date) in case a good deal comes on the phone and wait till oct1 to activate it. Assuming you are eligible for upgrade now.

Cancelling my SERO plan
 

I was about to call Sprint & cancel my SERO plan today (1250 minute plan). Anyone interested in an account transfer before I cancel?

Hardware limitations will make that very difficult. Even if it's possible, it will be so slow it will be unusable.

wow i just changed my plan :/

Ill take it !! Let me know...Thanks!

Ron

Finally, great new! My sprint Touch with FroYo could take a break...

So I'm on $30 SERO plan with palm pro. it's done well over the years. but my plan expires in august and I was going to move to iPhone on my in-laws family plan. they don't come close to using their minutes especially with 10 free numbers (non-ATT of course), it would cost $35/month for the iPhone. The EVO looked liked it would suit me better, but with SERO I couldn't move two. Two questions:

1. So the EVO would be $50/month? ($30 + $10 for EVO + $10 for 4G - even though not available in Boston area)?
2. Does EVO charge for tethering? I thought I heard iPhone does. I want to use this and go to beach with my laptop to work.

Sprint's CEO once told everybody that there will be no extra charge for 4G, and then they decided they can get away with squeezing $10 out of all the customers on new Android 4G phones. Just to show you even if it came from the CEO's mouth, it can still be a lie. I hope for all the SERO users that they will get what they wish for on using Android phones on their plans. I hope nobody gets disappointed after waiting til October.

If this is true, I'm staying on SERO. I've been so jealous of my friends who have all the cool new android phones. My TP is lagging pretty far behind.

If you actually read the posts in this thread you would know that it's 40 per month on the EVO not 50...

hope it's true. I've held off on the TP2.. $200 for a windows mobile 6.5 phone is really unappealing since WinMo is so slow and buggy.

I'll make do with my HTC Touch until October. No interest in $G if it means I have to pay $10 more. I'll be happy with a 3G Android phone like the HTC Hero. Yes!

Great news if true. I love my TP2 (gotta have that keyboard), but it'll be nice to finally have options.

Still, based on some of the decisions I've seen Dan make in the past (I'm looking at you, BS EVO fee), I won't hold my breath.

Would this also work for the old plans like Free and Clear?

To answer #2, it does tethering for an extra charge for the corresponding app that allows it... BUT hit up gizmodo or some other tech sites for easy, step-by-step guides on how to safely hack the feature into use for FREE. best of luck. i wish i didnt have shitty ATT so i could try the EVO, its so sexy.

I don't believe this, but you never know.

I'm keeping my SERO plan as long as possible! My Mogul crapped out a few months ago and I picked up a mint condition Moto Q9C on eBay for $30. I'll keep doing this unless I can upgrade to an EVO.

No, the posts in this thread aren't very clear.
Is the first $10 a month mandatory for an Android phone?
I know the second $10 is for the 4g/Evo...

Just a couple of months ago, I paid $300 for a TP2 on craigslist and now, this!

At least I have SERO I guess.

Maybe, but it will probably run even worse than 6.5 since the TP2 is underspec'ed almost by half of what Windows 7 phones need to be at.. That's like putting Windows 7 on your Pentium 100.

Assuming this goes through, I'll gladly call in to Sprint to renew my contract for 2 years for a $70 credit and then buy an EVO on Ebay. Now if only I could figure out how to get Sprint do a transfer of liability without forcing me to change my plan! (And yes I've called all numbers in the other threads, had an account set up before, and still no luck. If it wasn't for the rock bottom pricing and Verizon-lite coverage I'd have bolted long ago!)

Running android 2.2 on my 3 year old touch and it's awesome. I really hope this is true because it's time for an updgrade! I'm looking at the Epic and there should be some definitive reviews by Oct. 1. :)

Are you kidding me?! I changed from Sero last week to a family plan for the EVO.

Maybe I'm just trying to console myself but I can't see them letting the phone on the old Sero plan. Especially when they aren't verified the way new EPRP is.

new phones coming out:
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/ass...iginal.jpg

EDIT: looks like the link is down - sorry guys

I posted this in the other thread as well since it hasn't been merged.

Here are the new phones coming out:
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/ass...iginal.jpg

EDIT: looks like the link is down - sorry guys

Wow...I hope this is true....

Were you in the caves for the last couple months?
All of those came out already.

"The wait is over. Android/WebOS will be available to the SERO after Oct 1st"

How can the wait be over if I have to wait until after Oct 1st?

:P

hahah this guy
wassup andy

If this turns out to be true, I will stick with Sprint. My contact expires Oct. 24 so it will work out very nicely for me! My $30/mo SERO plan would turn into a $50/mo plan with the 4G EVO. That's a bit more but still cheaper than every other comparable plan :)

So I'm on $30 SERO plan with palm pro. it's done well over the years. but my plan expires in august and I was going to move to iPhone on my in-laws family plan. they don't come close to using their minutes especially with 10 free numbers (non-ATT of course), it would cost $35/month for the iPhone. The EVO looked liked it would suit me better, but with SERO I couldn't move two. Two questions:

1. So the EVO would be $50/month? ($30 + $10 for EVO + $10 for 4G - even though not available in Boston area)?
2. Does EVO charge for tethering? I thought I heard iPhone does. I want to use this and go to beach with my laptop to work.

It looks like this is all just based on rumors at this point.

I was literally going to upgrade to TP2 today. I did get the $70 credit in my account but may need to hold off for a few months and see how this pans out.

is this sero only or are other disqualified plans now going to qualify? Specifically, I could not upgrade to an android even though I have a family "everything text messaging" plus I pay for unlimited data on one line. But it didn't qualify me for an Android on that single line.

Looks like this will only be a good deal for people with $30 SERO plan. If you add $20 to $50 SERO plan you will pay $70 for Evo. EPRP has $59 plan right now, + $10 Evo charge which will be the same $70

What if I just want Android without anymobile anytime or navigation?

I just bought TP2 last week. Should have waited.

Is this just a rumor??

here you go
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/ass...s_v2.0.jpg

FFFFUUUUUUUUUU....me too =/

Well with family plans and EVO its actually not a bad idea to let go of SERO (its us folks w/out families that have a dilema :P)... you are probably going to pay only a bit more than any SERO user with an EVO (if its true that $20 will be stacked on top of the current SERO price)

will they work with the old Fair and Flex plans as well?

Hey, if you do, could you leave the TP2 to me in your will? My sister would love it!

Those Indian call center reps who started the rumor must be laughing their ass off.

Or perhaps they got promoted to Marketing Directors right under Dan Hesse's armpits.

Yes, it's only a rumor at this point.

Also, assuming it's true, I'd be curious to see what Sprint's plans are for future Android offerings. It's clear most "higher-end" Android devices are intended to be 4G capable, which would mean an extra $20/month tacked on to the price of a SERO plan. For all we know, $10/month will buy you access to currently available Android phones, and future lower spec'd phones (think same specs as Hero and Moment). Nice to have options, but if those options are basically last generation devices, might not be as worthwhile as it appears.

grrrrrrrrrr....I was counting down the days til the end of the month when my contract ends so I could get the evo ...god dammit...now I have to wait another 2 months....I was soooo hyped too, but damn this would be awesome if the rumors were true.....

What about WM7? Is it will be availible on SERO? I don't care about android phone.

Hopefully a few more 4g phones come out to compete with the EVO, and we can get some screaming deals! Anyone know what the KB cap is on the unlimited data? i never bothered to find out with my centro...

wired tethering is free. Try downloading either one of the two apps: PDAnet or Easytether. Both of these have a paid version that allows https connections. One of them is $20 and one of them $30 (one time buying fee - no monthly fee there after). And wired tethering is better than sprint hotspot feature (which turns your phone into a wireless access point), because with wired tethering, your phone keeps charging while you surf the internet. Hotspot feature will drain the battery big time because wifi will be on.

I think you're making the right choice not upgrading to TP2 until sept or oct.. my buddy has one and it seems to blow with winmo 6.5,

Even though it is all rumors, there are too many good phones coming out for them to keep us stuck in the dark ages.

If you want a TP2, fleabay one.. It's not worth using a new phone upgrade when you can get one new on the bay for a little more and cash out on a SMART phone.

Let's all pool our hopes, dreams and good karma for an android addon.

Quote from Sportsaholic View Post :
Crap! Just got TP2 in April. I want to kill my self right now for making that decision.


:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

Trust me, stay away from Windows Mobile. I have had 6.0 for 3 years. It just SUCKS !!!
Know another person who has had WM 6.5 for more than 3 months. he was very excited day 1, when he got it, but now the same old story - crashes, freezes and what not. I finally bit the bullet myself, and ditched the 9 yr old sprint plan, and agreed to pay an extra $30 per month to switch to Evo. All I can say is that I LOVE IT. Sprint has finally gotten their act together. I wish they would stop charging me the extra $10 per month for the 4g service, which I dont get anywhere !!!

$70 Sprint credit for 2-year extension...
 

Do you have the link for the discussion on the $70 credit, please? I can't find it again...

Or perhaps you can detail the procedure, please?

.

Very Useful
 

It is back up and very useful. Thanks and rep'd.

I don't get it. I am assuming that if this is indeed true, Sprint has some reasoning about holding on to customers who are on grandfathered plans (including SERO).

So if that is the case, why the heck would they wait till October? Why wouldn't they do this effective immediately?

I call shenanigans. There is a good reason (at least according to Sprint) why they restrict phones on the grandfathered plans, and if you were going to reverse policy, there would be no reason to wait the extra 3 or 4 months.

So if you buy one used on Ebay let's say, it doesn't have to be unlocked, but has to be branded for Sprint correct?

Is there any way to transfer someone's SERO plan? Anyone out there leaving SERO and willing to transfer to me?

I work for Sprint and I have confirmed with our NYC Lexington Ave corporate office that this does NOT reflect the SERO plans but the employee advantage lines which actually used to be $20 a month for employees but will now be bumped up to $30 a month ($40 for WebOS or android devices) Legacy SERO plans will remain the way it is now and the newer SERO plans which starts at 59.99 for 500 minutes will remain the same as well. Sprint plans to slowly rid of the legacy SERO plans so dont expect what we call "Iconic devices" (HTC EVO, Samsung EPIC, Instinct M800, Instinct S30, Instinct HD, HTC Hero, Samsung Moment, Samsung Intercept, Palm Pre, Palm Pixi) to be upgradeable. Thee plans will override any employee plan on the accounts active (because they dont have any kind of commitment). No one should get there hopes up im sorry to say I had a lot of friends on the Sero plan but because of the slow phase out they have all switched to my employee line (do not ask me for referral please)

party pooper

But employee 'Advantage Club' plans never had the handset restrictions anyway. Whats changing in October?

dang it, me too!

I love how you can give advice about an OS you've never even seen or used. Comparing an extremely old outdated UI that came out around 2007! to a complete redesign is nonsense.

That said, the new windows phones are not for everyone. It looks more kid friendly with it being really designed for social networking. It is very very smooth and responsive though.

Windows Phone 7 is a complete makeover and fragments all the previous versions as nothing is backwards compatible with it. As what it looks so far, it is nothing like its predecessors.

If you read tech preview build that was released yesterday, you would know that general reaction is overall positive for it.

Don't hate when the final product hasn't been released yet.

so bad. I just bought TP2

I hope it's true but I already ported out from 2 $30 Sero lines. Is this Sprint's marketing tactic to stop bleeding users again to AT&T & VZW? Too little too late. :)

Me 4. Did we all get TP's in may or something? Gez. Already gouged my screen, too :(

you made my day, man

No idea where OP thinks that since we all got an email regarding change of plans to the employee plans.

Old Employee plan
$20 500minutes with mobile 2 mobile for SPRINT and NEXTEL only, Unlim data, web, sprint tv basic +$10 for 4G or Blackberry Internet plan. No contract

New Plan
$30 Same as old but Mobile 2 Mobile is now with any cell phone carrier. Sprint Navigation is now included on all phones capable of using it. Blackberry Internet plan is now included in the plan if you own one. +$10 a month for any Iconic device I listed even if it is not 4G capable such as the 3 year old Samsung Instinct :lmao:


Basically if you have Sero now the ONLY phones new phones you will have access to is non iconic devices wich means you can still get the latest Blackberry has to offer and I wouldnt count on a WM7 phone happening.

so can we opt not to get any mobile? i currently have free calling to five numbers, one of which is google voice so i basically have unlimited everything for $30 per month. on top of that, i rarely go over my 500 minutes as it is so that feature is of absolutely no use to me. i would like to upgrade from my palm treo pro though. is there a flash to make that phone android?

Thanks.

I don't want to turn this thread into Microsoft haters, since, I use their products everyday along with the myriad different versions of Linux as well. Yes, I agree that I have not seen or used WM7, but I do know that WM6.5 got the same hype as well. So..... I will stop at this point. If you do believe that MS would have improved and really done a good job at WM7, then sure go for it. Personally, I am done with any version of WM.

Have SERO on 2 lines. Upgraded one of them to HTC TP2 (only one works with SERO). Kept mine as Palm Centro. Next 1.5 years, Ill be dumping my Centro for the latest DroidX..Oh yeah.

I will never get rid of SERO. never.

See this is what makes me soooooo frustrated. Rumors are never truth until the moment they change from a rumor to fact. To me, I wouldn't be surprised corporate said "let's start a rumor that confuses our Employee's plans with SERO so that our SERO users will hold out longer. In fact, let's see how many times we can do this. The longer the better. maybe they'll switch to $59.99 plan. Otherwise we would have lost them anyway."

For crying out loud Sprint, don't screw your only loyal customers!

Is Droid X compatible with SERO. I can't even get a palm pre to work with it.

This matrix seems to show Droid X pretty comparable.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/ass...s_v2.0.jpg

Awesome! my contract is set to end on Septemeber. This will come in handy. Evo here I come

Yeah. but probably VERY TRUE.

What do you expect from Sprint?

I will not give up my SERO plan. or pay extra $10 a month.

The way sprint sees it the only way a sero legacy customer is profitable is if your using a device that cannot consume large amounts of data (WinMO eludes this to me) if your not paying for extra bandwidth then your really just costing sprint money which is why newer sero plans are such a wash. You will honestly come out better if you just jump on one of those % off deals from using a corporate discount. Last checking Chase offers the highest amount and most store level employees hardly make the effort to verify that.

If you REALLY want an EVO RIGHT NOW for $40 a month jump on SprintRelay.com the catch is your vice calls are 20c per minute but data is unlimited and those of you who are creative and know about Voip (google voice) know what im hinting at.

There's very good reason why they restrict phones, and why they would wait to announce such news.

If I'm Sprint, I want you to pay as much as you possibly can. The wireless industry is driven by phones. You want a hot phone, you play by my rules. And my rules just happen to be that you pay double every month. Sure, you can pay your $30 and use these older phones we have, but if you want the new stuff, you'll pony up the cash.

But see, now there's a problem with that thinking. Windows Mobile 6.xx is being discontinued. You've got Windows Phone 7 coming out. What's your "older, less advanced" phone now? Windows Phone 7 will be the newest OS on the block. Android is hardly old. Sure, you've got your "dumphones", but you run into a host of a problems if that's all you offer to legacy plan holders. What do you get offered when your discontinued phone breaks and we no longer offer comparable alternatives? Not going to be so happy knowing you paid $7/month for insurance for a replacement, only to be offered a phone LESS advanced than the one you purchased a year ago, now are you? Sprint does that, and they might as well give up now, because every customer who's using a Windows Mobile phone is going to jump ship after having to deal with that headache. And as we all know, Sprint really can't afford that.

So what do I do if I'm Sprint? Here's what I'll do. I'll take the lower end "feature phones" that we offer (Hero, Moment, Palm Pre) and offer those as suitable replacements. I still have my new high-end phones (EVO, Epic 4G) to entice you to pay more, I still offer my dumphones if you're entirely cost conscious. But now I have an equivalent replacement for your higher-end Windows Mobile phones which I'll no longer be offering. Knowing that you probably don't like the software, and you've heard about Android and WebOS, I bet I can get a little more out of you every month. I make more money, and you feel victorious that you escaped the Gestapo-like, phone-dependent plan switch. You stay with me, and I make more money. Win-win for both of us.

The wait is simple. The EVO just came out, the Epic 4G will likely be out soon, and not everybody reads forums like SD. I'm going to get as many hold-outs to convert and lock into a new plan before the news hits. I make more money that way, and that's what I want.

If it's true, it'll be a hell of a deal. But personally, I'll wait, since I think eventually even the (rumored) $10 fee will drop off.

Today we as deal sharing-net savvy--high tech geeks lose to one Indian call center rep somewhere in rural India.

One little lie/rumor stirs the whole communities of SD, FW, & Many Many sprint user forums.

Ridiculous.

Glad I ditched both of my Sero accounts for my wife to get a Pre and myself the Evo 4G.

Good news if it comes to fruition. Won't do me any good since I, like half the people here, upgraded to a TP2 not too long ago, but my wife's due for an upgrade in mid-August, so no harm waiting another couple of months just to see what happens. Still not sure if it's worth the extra $10/month just to move "up" to Android, but it sure beats paying the $30+ more you'd have to pay if we left SERO.

As for people who are cursing their recent upgrades to a TP2, just wait it out a little longer and I'm sure the people at xdadevelopers/ppcgeeks will get the ringer, bluetooth and camera working in their Android port. Once they do, we'll have the most flexible Android phone out there--an Android 2.2 device with a physical keyboard that dual boots to WM6.5--all without having to pay an additional 33% over our existing plans.

$10 extra doesn't sound too good to me.

Android 2.2 on TP2??
 

That, my friend, is exactly what I'm hoping for... if the techies can get the Android OS working FULLY on the TP2, and we can do it in the background, at our same SERO pricing, THAT WOULD BE HEAVEN!

You alluded to Android 2.2--I thought all the progress was being tracked on 2.1, no?

.

whatever happens come October I'm not willingly letting go of SERO. I would rather forego smartphones altogether and just get a flip phone or texting phone before changing plans.

me either... $30 for 500 anytime minute and unlimited data and txt messaging and tethering...:lmao:

Does anyone have a map of the 4G coverage? I was watching G4 TV and said only 5% of the US has it?

SERO 4EVA even if I have to get a samsung reclaim.

You are awesome for this information. Now I am can have an EVO without paying a lot montly.:worship:

...a true SDer.

I am in the same boat, unless situations make true sense.

I guess I'll go to the family plan iPhone instead. I can't get anyone to give me my corp discount with my SERO plan. Even if i did the $60 SERO plan, with 25% off I'd still pay $45/month. That's $10 more per month ($120/year, not exactly chump change). That is unless someon can confirm iPhone costs $$ to tether (wireless or wired).

going to at&t with an iphone plan because you refuse to pay $10 more....


brilliant.

Thank you for making me feel better :)

Same here :(

Getting something you actually want instead of a half-baked OS on a half-assed carrier... priceless.

Full disclosure - I actually own a TP2 on SERO and an EVO on a regular plan.

lol so sad

What's so sad about that? With some of the new rom's, the TP2 is kickin' some serious arse in my opinion.

I may not be understanding this correctly...
 

So, if I currently have an android phone under the Sprint Advantage Club plan, will I have to pay an additional $10/month starting in October?

of course

So you can just make calls using cell phone data plan and then if data is not available (roaming) you can make calls at $0.20/minute?

I would take the news as a grain of salt until it's officially confirmed.

Remember, very similar rumors surfaced when the new sero plans came out last year right before samsung instinct came out.

I truly believe that sprint might be coming out with some new plans..... but it won't benefit the legacy sero nor other legacy plans. I personally don't like the way the phone companies are heading. Not even rewarding loyalty at all. All they care about is squeezing more $$ out of existing customers. No wonder sprint is bleeding customers.

Does this mean that other legacy plans such as my Free and Clear 1000 shared minute plan will be able to get Android phones such as the Epic?

I'm so confused how this has so many TU for what amounts to basically a rumor/misinterpretation of a internal email/document/etc.

Nothing is really certain at this point and anyone who has been on Sprint for a while knows that the SERO rumors have been going on for a while now.

Or....why is this even in Hot Deals? Sounds like a perfect thread for the lounge, but...

If this was a thread on the "confirmed rumor" that Apple is releasing a phone on the Verizon network in 01/2011, this thing would have been flamed.

we should just ban everyone in this thread so this never happens again

see post 52, 54, 55, 60 etc...

I believe they are now pushing out updates for 2.2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/s...p?t=627997. According to the latest posts, they may have "huge breakthroughs" as early as tomorrow.

Once they get sound working, I can use Android as my default OS, and only switch to WM if I want to use the camera.

:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

especially the op.. that guy should have been banned a long time ago..

Seems there's lots of people still iffy about this.

Why I think this rumor has validity is based on a couple reasons.

a.) Dan knows that there are still many users on SERO that just will not let go...it's what most of us have been enticed to go to Sprint, and stick with them from the start over other carriers.

b.) Currently..it's the least profitable for them with the amount of users they have on the plan (probably a couple million or so)...and since we don't want to move then we are still not going to be making the best $$$ for them by not moving to the more expensive plans that offer pretty much exactly the same thing.

c.) Most of us joined SERO during their times of trouble. When they still dropped customers like flies..when they looked like they were going to face bankruptcy pretty much..and when their customer service was completely atrocious. As legacy plan holders...we've been rewarded with this plan to stay with them prior to Dan taking the CEO position a couple years ago..but have been restricted then.

Many of us are out of contract or nearing the end of our contract and could leave SERO at ANY TIME. However, most of us don't, just due to the pure awesomeness of it and we just deal with the crap of limited phone restrictions.

So how do you make money on legacy holders that just won't move, without pissing them off so they all leave? (Face it..most of us would leave SERO if it weren't for the plan price...@ the $59.99 EPRP...most other carriers offer a lot of the same for not much more with phone selection, that most of us would be willing to pay for).

Simple...tack-on a fee that costs them not much but makes them a few million, and gives you phone choice. It makes Sprint happy, and it keeps us happy.

d.) They did it last year, and it worked with BIS. If you want a BlackBerry with SERO..there's an official way to do it. Add a $10 BIS fee..and make customers happy and have choice. They did it last year..and it worked..
https://www.sprint.com/webconvers...g_Plus.pdf
...so why not introduce the same concept to their other phones?

That PDF might be something to watch however. I just realized it was updated with "Note: SERO rate plans are NOT compatible with the Samsung Instinct,® Samsung Instinct® s30, Samsung Instinct® HD,
Samsung Moment,™ HTC Hero,™ Palm® Pixi,™ Palm® Pre™ or HTC EVO 4G." It obviously didn't say that last year..so maybe as the time comes..someone will see if those terms are changed or if the $10 fee is added to it.

It definitely seems like something they will do :nod:

I agree, for the longest time my legacy plan (Free and Clear Family 1000) could not even allow blackberries and they were able to add that last year I believe at no charge. I would definitely pay $10 for an android phone, $20 might be a little too much but I'd consider it especially if it was 4G. I know this isn't the place, but have they been able to develop an app/fix/hack to allow tethering with the android phones without paying for the hotspot service? Thanks!

The rumor seems to have legs this time...regardless of the all the partially informed Sprint employees who dutifully try to post with authority that they know otherwise. I believe something is changing with legacy/SERO plans (probably in addition to whats changing with employee only plans).

Either that, or we have some well executed conspiracy of lies coming from various corners of Sprint....

Another source...

http://www.phonenews.com/sprint-r.../#comments

I would love if it were true, but chances are it's not.

Does it make sense? Of course it does. Which is exactly why Dan Hesse will find some way to kill it.

Unlike AT&T - Sprint may know its network can't handle an influx of users on high power phones without performance issues so segment those high paying folks on 4g, etc. vs. allow everyone on a $30 to use critical space on the highway.

On the flip side - Sprint can easily make profit on SERO users by introducing retail price phones for SERO users. Instead of a Android phone at $199 - charge us $449 and no restrictions on usage. It is the same thing whether you charge $59 p/mo and sell a phone for $199 (24 mo contract is $1615) vs. $30 p/mo and sell a phone at $449 (24 mo equals $1169). They would still make out because they won't subsidize price of the phone by charging more monthly. And Sprint customer will be more loyal because after paying $400+ for a phone you are less likely to jump ship until you have exhausted full value of your investment.

Learn from AT&T/iPhone. If the phone causes enough demand people will pay for anything and wait on line for iPhone 4G which doesn't even work properly and doesn't offer much benefit for the average user.

Sprint should look at profit on the phone vs. monthly plan for SERO customers as all of us prefer to tell friends we pay $30 p/mo which is much better than say I got a phone for $199 but pay $120 p/mo.

Why couldnt this "information" or "rumor" have came out at least in the middle of September or something... now we all have to wait.... ugh!

Ohhhh that's pretty hardcore. :coverlaf:

Good analysis.

There is one additional point in SERO users favor, namely the abundance of prepaid plans that offer similar pricing. Competition is good!

Look at virgin mobile's plans (granted they're an MVNO of sprint):
$25/mth for 300 mins and unlimited text, data and web
$40 for 1200 mins (unlimited text, data and web)
$60 for unlimited everything

In my opinion it targets the same market as a SERO user and is a "comparable" plan (except roaming, nights and weekends N/W and in network calling), but for some people that's not a deal breaker versus the lower cost.

Here's some others carriers offerings:

Boost (Sprint): $50/mth for unlimited everything

Page Plus (Verizon)
$30/mth - 1200 mins / 1200 txts + 50mb data (Talk n' text)

SimpleMobile (T-Mobile)
$40/mth - unlimited talk + text
$60/mth - unlimited everything

Cons for these prepaid plans
Phone selections (usually crappy phones)
No roaming
No N/W or in network calling

Pros:
No contracts
Taxes included in prices

It really is in Sprint's best interests to offer a way for current SERO customers to get the new phones they want, while getting more money from them. If they don't, they will find that more and more SERO users will migrate towards other plans that fit their needs.

Some people might say great, let them go, but Sprint still makes money off of SERO users (not as much as those on different plans). If they all eventually leave for different networks, that's millions of dollars per month in revenue that Sprint doesn't get. Why not offer them a chance to upsell on the hardware? The core of SERO users are probably very price sensitive (which is why they signed up for it in the first place) so if they see a comparable plan that offers them the same benefits for the same price (or less) they might go towards it. Offering a $10/mth option should please SERO users by giving them benefuts of better hardware (Sprint would not sell it as a $10 h/w fee, rather as an upgraded service level with unlimited m2m or sprint navigation, etc.) and is a way for Sprint to capture additional revenue and retaining SERO users continued business.