Why doesn't Sprint charge for roaming?

[halcyoncmdr]

Can I just say this is an insane recommendation coming from a representative of the company? She couldn't put a note on the account or something?

 

This is actually a violation of the terms and conditions of service now...

 

Prohibited Network Uses. To ensure the activities of some users do not impair the ability of our customers to have access to reliable services provided at reasonable costs, you may not use our services in a manner that is unlawful, infringes on intellectual property rights, or harms or unduly interferes with the use of Sprint's network or systems. Sprint reserves the right, without notice or limitation, to limit data throughput speeds or quantities or to deny, terminate, end, modify, disconnect, or suspend service if an individual engages in any of the prohibited voice or data uses detailed below or if Sprint, in its sole discretion, determines action is necessary to protect its wireless networks from harm or degradation. Examples of prohibited voice uses: Sprint voice services are provided solely for live dialogue between, and initiated by, individuals for personal use and as otherwise described in this policy. Sprint services may not be used for any other purposes, including, but not limited to: monitoring services, transmission of broadcasts, transmission of recorded material, telemarketing, autodialed calls, other commercial uses, or other connections that do not consist of uninterrupted live dialogue between individuals. Examples of prohibited data uses: Sprint data services are provided solely for purposes of web surfing, sending and receiving email, photographs and other similar messaging activities, and the non-continuous streaming of videos, downloading of files or on line gaming. Our data services may not be used: (i) to generate excessive amounts of Internet traffic through the continuous, unattended streaming, downloading or uploading of videos or other files or to operate hosting services including, but not limited to, web or gaming hosting; (ii) to maintain continuous active network connections to the Internet such as through a web camera or machine-to-machine connections that do not involve active participation by a person; (iii) to disrupt email use by others using automated or manual routines, including, but not limited to "auto-responders" or cancel bots or other similar routines; (iv) to transmit or facilitate any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, telemarketing, promotional materials, "junk mail", unsolicited commercial or bulk email, or fax; (v) for activities adversely affecting the ability of other people or systems to use either Sprint's wireless services or other parties' Internet-based resources, including, but not limited to, "denial of service" (DoS) attacks against another network host or individual user; (vi) for an activity that connects any device to Personal Computers (including without limitation, laptops), or other equipment for the purpose of transmitting wireless data over the network (unless customer is using a plan designated for such usage); or (vi) for any other reason that, in our sole discretion violates our policy of providing service for individual use. Unlimited Use Plans. If you subscribe to rate plans, services or features that are described as unlimited, you should be aware that such "unlimited" plans are subject to these Sprint Prohibited Network Uses.

http://shop2.sprint.com/en/legal/legal_terms_privacy_popup.shtml 

[richy]

I have to admit I would love to be able to buy roaming. Coverage is an issue in some areas. I wonder if it's a restriction from Verizon (or at&t in the case of tmo for me) or a choice by Sprint directly? There must be a reason (and likely we will never actually find out lol), it isn't coincidence, but it could be down to legal or marketing or just perception management. I don't expect sprint (or tmo) to offer unlimited roaming in the base package or even as an add on, I would just appreciate the ability to pay a fair price for some metered off network usage. I guess I'm approaching it from an overly simplistic viewpoint, but I want something, they can sell me it, so I'm struggling to understand whats holding them back. 

I guess my big hope is that in the medium term Sprint has an aggressive physical network expansion planned! This would just be a nice stop gap.

[LoneSnark]

I suspect the reason they don't charge for roaming is because most customers roam sometimes, and it is far better to just ignore the occasional month of roaming rather than field a million calls asking about the new charges.