Following in the recent footsteps of Verizon and AT&T, Sprint is also revamping their unlimited options.
Beginning tomorrow, July 13th two new plans will take Sprint's previous offering of Unlimited Freedom's place. The Unlimited Freedom plan was originally launched way back in August 2016.
The new plans are called Unlimited Basic and Unlimited Plus. We suppose since AT&T is no longer using "Unlimited Plus" (retired in February 2018), that the plan name is now fair game for Sprint?
In addition, Sprint is offering special discounted plans for those over 55 and military, veterans & their families.
The new plans are a pretty clear play at getting Sprint's offerings more in line with those of Sprint fiancee T-Mobile. These could be Sprint's final unlimited smartphone plans before the marriage is consummated - if it is consummated - which is still isn't certain as the merger is pending regulatory approval.
Details, Pricing, and Limitations
Sprint is the final carrier to break away from a single one-size fits all "unlimited" plan by introducing two tiers: Unlimited Basic and Unlimited Plus.
Plan Pricing and Features:
- Unlimited Basic:
- First line: $60/month
- 2nd Line: $40/month
- Each additional line (up to 10): $20/month
- Mobile Hotspot: 500MB at high speed, then 3G speeds
- Video Streaming: Capped at 480p resolution.
- Network Management: 50 GB*
- International Use: Free roaming in Canada and Mexico free roaming with 5GB LTE data
- Included Subscriptions: Hulu
- Unlimited Plus:
- First line: $70/month ($50/month with BYOD Discount)
- 2nd Line: $50/month ($30/month with BYOD Discount)
- Each additional line (up to 10): $30/month ($10/month with BYOD Discount)
- Mobile Hotspot: 15GB at high speed, then 3G speeds
- Video Streaming: Capped at HD (1080p)
- Network Management: 50 GB*
- International Use: Free roaming in Canada and Mexico free roaming with 10GB LTE data
- Included Subscriptions: Hulu and Tidal Premium, a music streaming service that typically retails for $9.99.
- Unlimited 55+
- For those with a main account holder that is 55 or older
- $50/mo for line 1, $20/mo for line 2 with AutoPay
- Max 2 lines per account
- Mobile Hotspot: Always 3G speeds
- Video Streaming: Capped at 480p resolution.
- International Use: Unknown
- Network Management: 50 GB
- Unlimited Military
- Veterans, active duty and reserves of the U.S. armed forces
- $60/mo for line 1, $20/mo for line 2 and $10/mo/line for lines 3 and 4 with AutoPay
- Mobile Hotspot: 500MB at high speed, then 3G speeds
- Video Streaming: Capped at 480p resolution.
- Network Management: 50 GB
- International Use: Free roaming in Canada and Mexico free roaming with 5GB LTE data
- Included Subscriptions: Hulu
*Initial leaks of these new plans reflect that Network Management limits will be raised to 50GB from 23GB, which is the same as T-Mobile's current limits. Sprint's Press Release has super fine print not suitable for human eyes on this detail which we hope to be confirmed at launch tomorrow.
Sprint is also offering a substantial discount if you bring your own device on a new line of service on the Unlimited Plus plan - $20/month per line. That makes the first line $50/month, the second $30/month and each additional line only $10/month.
Analysis
Sprint's new plans are pretty in line with what T-Mobile has been offering since the launch of their One plans - although they offer three tiers.
Not surprising, with a possible merger of the two companies looming - as the carriers have gone on record of stating that all existing plans from both carriers will be grandfathered in should the merger go through.
Previously, Sprint's Unlimited Freedom offered the following:
- Unlimited Freedom:
- First line: $60/month
- 2nd Line: $40/month
- Each additional line (up to 10): Free
- Mobile Hotspot: 10GB
- Video Streaming: HD
- Network Management: 23 GB
- International Use: free LTE data roaming, texts and voice calls in Canada and Mexico
- Included Subscriptions: Hulu
These new plans do divert from the Unlimited Freedom plan in several areas, with price changes, video streaming changes, and mobile hotspot changes. Current Sprint Freedom customers should evaluate their needs and usage before switching to the new plans - especially those who will soon be coming out of their 1-year free promotional offer which will revert to Unlimited Freedom terms and pricing.
For now, Sprint is Sprint and their coverage areas are the most sparse of the Big Four carriers - however roaming agreements onto T-Mobile that were part of the proposed merger should be coming online soon.
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