14 DAY TRIAL // Started as a rumor, Sprint's changes for the mobile broadband and hotspot services have just been officialized, as the carrier announced that the data allowance usage for these services will change beginning next month.
The only carrier that stick with unlimited data to offer its customers something that other operators cannot will drop this capability in the following weeks.
Basically, starting November, “unlimited data” usage on Sprint's network will be a thing of the past, as the carrier will be capping the data for all customers who use mobile broadband and hotspots.
According to Sprint, customers who own a mobile broadband device such as a tablet, netbook, notebook, USB card, connection card or Mobile Hotspot device, effective November, their on-network monthly data allowance will no longer include unlimited 4G.
In addition, customers who own a phone with Wi-Fi hotspot capability and opted for the Mobile Hotspot add-on will have their data usage combined with their phone data usage.
Unfortunately, the monthly mobile hotspot on-network data usage will be limited to 5GB of 3G or combined 3G/4G usage dependent upon device capability. Customers will have to pay extra for additional data use above 5GB.
At least customers will be able to choose to subscribe for either of the three new plans that will be available next month: 3GB, 5GB or 10GB of allowed data.
A current monthly data allowance on Sprint's network of 3GB of 3G data and unlimited 4G data, will be a combined allowance (3GB of combined 3G and 4G).
Customers will pay dearly for additional on-network 3G or 4G data above the allowance, which will cost $.05/MB.
Furthermore, monthly data allowance for off-network roaming will be billed at $.25/MB for 100MB additional usage.
The aforementioned changes will be effective once customers receive their next bill following Sprint's notification.
