irev210

Biggest thing to watch for T-Mobile right now is churn.  Postpaid Churn stayed at 1.46%.  It will be very interesting to see where that goes in 2016.  If they can keep adding 1 million postpaid subs per quarter in 2016, they are going to be in very good shape as the close out their network expansion.  I am guessing after that they'll probably start to target small cells to improve capacity in urban markets.

4Q15 marked the 11th consecutive quarter of positive postpaid porting ratios.

In 4Q15 the overall porting ratio was 1.67, (Verizon =1.44, AT&T = 1.92, Sprint = 1.56).

I really believe that people see the reason to switch, and they do so. I don't want Sprint to give free video streaming or audio streaming, or other stuff like that.

 

All the new plans remove the overages, offer international 2G and text, and now unlimited at the cheapest possible price, what more do they need?

What more do they need?  Arguably, they didn't need to remove overages, they didn't need free international, etc.

I think you are identifying people at the fringe who are so disgruntled with their current provider they are switching.  Given that churn is so low and everyone has a cellphone, you are really looking at a narrow customer base.  Not one in which Sprint can get the adds its looking for.

Simply put, if Sprint wants to see net adds like T-Mobile is seeing, they need to change the way they market - the network isn't driving the difference in net adds between the two carriers.

That would be nice and pretty effective imo but I would change the 3GB to 7GB. A national carrier definitely cannot operate on $40 unlimited plans. Plus sprint is deep in depth. They need to be bringing in more money that just enough to cover operating costs. They have to start making payments.

Yeah the details aren't important - the point just being, Sprint needs to give people a reason to switch.

Price and network parity are not reasons.

Sticky customers with lots of income are not going to switch unless there is a HUGE incentive in front of them.  50% isn't bad, it's just too confusing.

At a certain point we'll be asking for too much, or what will be enough? 

 

Price is comparable, network is pretty much there, and it's proven that giving away the farm only creates a welfare base that will jump the second the freebies are taken away.

This sort of makes my point.

Price is comparable, network is comparable - why would someone switch to Sprint?  If you are looking to hold subs, having comparable price/network will keep churn low but if you are looking to add subs you need to given people a compelling reason.

Just because I said Sprint needs to offer innovative plans doesn't mean give away the farm.

Look at ringplus.net - they are offering innovative plans that basically shoot for data overages.  It's an interesting idea.

Gross margins are so big for sprint, I'd take a much different approach and offer two plans:

• Follow Google's approach (access for the line + $ per GB)
• And unlimited

That's it.  Keep it simple.  I think for 5 years, sprint needs to bite the bullet and just cut prices to something like this:

• Follow Google's approach ($10 per line + $10 per GB)
• And unlimited $40/month per line
• If you go over 3GB/month, you automatically roll over to unlimited for that month - keep customers happy

SEE, SO FRIGGING SIMPLE!  GET RID OF ALL THE OLD SPRINT PLANS - AXE ALL THAT CRAP.  Keep it simple.

Move on with life, in 5 years, just start raising prices for everyone. 

Sprint just announced their new plans starting tomorrow which are the same exact price point.

Interesting move.  Personally, I think sprint needs to be a bit more innovative - but at least sprint still has a pulse.

With the network issues largely sorted out, they really need to give people a very compelling reason to switch.

There are two companies in Boston that currently offer a similar service but at much slower speeds.

I'd be curious what the pricing is going to be.  If it is 1gbps for 70/month or something, I think they could have a very good uptake.

I'd love to get out of the overpriced handset racket, but for better for worse I am an iPhone user, and we all know Apple will never cut the price of the iPhone. They'd stop making phones before they do that. Too much pride for their premium status.

 

I have considered moving to a metered plan, or moving away from iPhone, or switching to a prepaid MVNO that offers lower prices per month. i have not yet decided what I will do to help make my bill around the same as I pay now. I'm really just collecting information now in preparation for the day subsidies die for good (that day isn't here just yet).

Actually, iPhone has seen a number of price cuts.  Just yesterday, Virgin and Boost lowered the price of the iPhone 5s to 149 - I attribute apple being a bit more aggressive as a result of the no-subsidy movement.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/cell-phones/iphone5s-gray-phone/features/

At the end of the day, getting rid bundled services adds price transparency to customers.  I like the fact that manufacturers (google/apple specifically) are creating single devices that work on all four major carriers in the US and offer 0% financing directly, allowing the customer to bypass the carrier completely, freeing them from long-term commitments.

In the long-term, this will make carriers complete on service/price vs. just attempting to tie down a customer due to a contract.

When have I been "nasty"?  In my post that you quoted, I primarily asked probing questions.  Geez, it feels like some people just cannot accept assertive opinions that run counter to their own.  Should we always be nice and deferential to each other here at S4GRU?  That would be a facade and would not lead to productive discourse.

 

Calling "Practically all SERO subs... frauds" is definitely being nasty in my book.

I don't think we always need to be nice - we've had many productive discussions over the years by disagreeing over various things... but I've never called you a fraud either.

I'll leave it at that - I got no qualms with having a good discussion or disagreeing with you but calling SERO customers frauds is where I'll say that was out of line.

Less of an apology than a damage control in regards to the EFF.

 

 

One thing he isn't is transparent and that falls in line with BS used Shady car salesman pitch!

 

Same ole same ole.

It will be interesting to see how he handles this.  I still think he has a chance to make things right.

Couple of options:

1) Make participating BingeON video streams throttled and unlimited and make non-participating BingON video streams unthrottled unless you specifically opt in.

2) Make this a completely opt out service you have to opt into.

I get the customer confusion part but this is pretty bad.

How does that make it right?  How are double secret discount plans for some random people for no legitimate reason proper?  And please show that Sprint signed off on Russ sponsoring SERO for any Joe Blow, that Sprint did not just look the other way, that Sprint was not just incompetent.

 

All good and well, yet that barely addresses any of my questions or requests.  But I will elaborate more in the light of day.

 

AJ

It's like when any company offers the "friends and family" rate to everyone or an expanded pool of people as a promotion.  You obviously disagree with it, perhaps you look at the name of the promotion and can't move past the name of the promotion.

Ford has done it, GM has done it, many other companies have done it.

Some advertise it heavily, others don't.

Regardless of the name, as it has been rehashed a number of times, it was open to everyone, legitimately, by the VP of Strategy and by other marketing efforts by Sprint (such as Sprint creating savings@sprint.com and savings@sprintemi.com to work at www.sprint.com/sero).  That's my opinion anyway.  I am not calling anyone any names with my opinion and my supporting evidence to back it up.

And lastly, it's not for you to decide who is eligible for a Sprint program.  Sprint is, and so is the VP of Strategy, and so is their marketing team.

While I don't really care if you disagree with that, I do take issue with you getting nasty, getting all high and mighty "having an ethical backbone" surmising that those that took the offer don't, etc.

So, please, have your opinion, but please be respectful of other opinions and don't make broad accusations based on things you don't fully understand (as you mentioned, you don't work at Sprint and you have no idea about SERO, just an opinion).  This is normally a friendly place but essentially calling SERO customers "fraudsters" is uncalled for in my opinion.

Why you continue to rant on about this is beyond me.  Move on...  or don't, it doesn't matter, just be polite and respectful.

Why would you not want TEP? Especially on a leased phone.

Because TEP is the biggest ripoff ever.

There are other warranties out there (squaretrade, applecare) that are much better/cheaper.

I as well have been hit with the TEP "requirement" from store reps as well.  I've also been told they can't sell a phone without a contract.

It just leaves a really sour feeling every time I leave the sprint store and have to login to manually remove the TEP option.

I would like to see a usage app for RingPlus on Android, especially for the amount of data that is being used. I knoe FreedomPOP and Ting offered an app like most carriers but RP as been absent.

Android's built-in usage monitor has worked fairly well for me.  I just set conservative limits.

With the new 1800MB plan, even more data to go around.

So I checked my Sprint.com account today and it says I am eligible for an upgrade to lease or easypay a phone.

Two-year contract is not available (granted I am in contract until November 2016).

I am very curious if Sprint will kill my 24 month upgrades.  If so, I'd probably switch to RingPlus (free Sprint service), the $30/5GB T-mobile WalMart plan, or Google Fi.

I am leaning towards Google Fi but I've been extremely impressed with RingPlus.  At least I have 10 months to figure it out.

If SERO, buh bye. Why did you warrant SERO in the first place?  Practically all SERO subs have been frauds -- but Sprint has looked the other way.  That does not make it right.

 

Then, go to AT&T. You can not care about Net Neutrality. You can not care about wireless competition. I have stopped caring about what other people do. Ignorance is bliss.  Because most other people are ignorant on these matters.

 

AJ

SERO was open to anyone and everyone for years.

http://mcguireslaw.com/2014/09/03/sprinting-to-the-finish-line/

On top of other very direct offers, the VP of Strategy at Sprint, the famous Russ McGuire allowed anyone to join SERO.

I love how you change the historical narrative of what SERO was (a promotion, heavily promoted by the VP of Strategy at Sprint) into something that suits what you don't like - a deal you feel isn't fair.

That's fine and all, say Sprint should end the deal for those on SERO but don't make broad generalizations that "practically all SERO subs are frauds."

Sure, there are people that somehow got onto SERO after the promotion ended but it was difficult to do.  Also, let's not address the fact that SERO users have seen a number of price increases.

• Originally it was $30/month with yearly upgrades
• Then it was $40/month with yearly upgrades
• Then $50/month with 20 month upgrades
• Now it is $50/month with 24 month upgrades

Obviously Sprint has changed the terms of SERO to suit what they consider to sell the product at a profitable price.  It's not like SERO customers are magical protected creatures immune to price increases as your post may suggest.

Loose the fraud acuzayshuns 

Where did you get the moto E from?

I bought from bestbuy for 39.99

Great phone for the price.  Has gorilla glass 3, IPS display, decent qualcomm soc, and a fairly smooth software experience that's pretty close to stock android.

Overall, I've been very impressed with how smooth/fast the device is for the price point.  A big question mark is the upgrade to marshmallow - it's been announced for Canada but not USA which is weird.  Regardless, it sounds like I'll be able to install via fastboot or custom recovery so I am not that concerned.

I just tossed a moto e on the "Leonardo 4" plan that was being offered this week.  Works fantastic.

Free: $0 for Unlimited RingPlus-to-RingPlus Voice & Text + 1400 Voice, 1400 Text and 1200 MB + tethering per month.

Pretty darn killer.  No idea what I am going to do with free 1.2GB of data a month but I'll give it a shot.

I'll try that.  Good idea.

 

 

As far as getting a device, yes.  The real question is whether or not those devices need service to show LTE data in SCP.  Do they?

 

- Trip

No idea.  I'd be more than happy to sell you one for what I paid, call it 11 bucks with tax + whatever shipping costs to you

http://www.verizonwireless.com/prepaid/smartphone-plans/moto-e-in-black+prepaid/

I bought a bunch of Verizon Moto E's for 10 bucks from bestbuy.

Would something like that work?

I don't know if the pricing is steep enough to get a quality network as Sprint needs to compete off that. My pricing would probably be more in line with Verizon's with an "all-you-can-eat" option on the top end. 

Wireless margins are HUGE.  Basically, the majority of costs are fairly fixed. Adding additional subs (particularly managed subs) are of little consequence to network resources, particularly with Sprint's cost per MB of data (will continue to go down).

If you charged the same as Verizon, nobody would switch from Verizon to Sprint.

• Sprint has a gross margin of 53.07%
• Lower ARPU by 20% under this new rate plan and say fine, my gross margins get smoked and go down to 25%
• Because of easier marketing/administration/cost cuts, etc, factor total EBITDA margin only goes from 21.83% to 10-15%
• At this point, sprint can start adding subs and cost of service goes down causing gross margin to go back up again
• Once churn reaches sub-1%, you can start actually increasing rates because customers love you so much

Bottom line, sprint needs to gain subscribers and charging the same as verizon and looking for 50%+ gross margins is not going to fly (in my humble opinion).  We talk about T-Mobile a lot here and they've been growing gross margins significantly, up almost 10% from 9/30/2014 (48.35%) to 9/30/2015 (57.15%).

As Sprint starts to get their network sorted out, I think they should really pivot into a new rate structure.

Similar to how T-Mobile restructured into Simple Choice I think Sprint needs to consolidate all plans.

Unlimited plan

• $50/Month Unlimited managed network
• Have unlimited depending on availability
• Basically, bingeon, radio on, etc but just in a managed sense of allowing sprint to completely control bandwidth depending on availability

Limited plan

• $10 per line monthly access
• $10 per gig
• No managed network

Sprint just needs to rip the marketing band-aid off.  Stop trying to be clever and come up with new lame plans.  Get a plan that existing legacy customers wont churn on and will be simple enough for new customers to be excited about.

Remove discounts, just offer one low price out of the gate.

Sprint doesn't have the management to pull off a radically new rate structure to evolve which is unfortunate because they are certainly building a world class network.

Keep it really really really simple.  $20/month "unlimited" is a scam and treats customers like idiots.  Sprint should and can do better.

Another confusing promotion.

So simple a 7 year old can explain it?

**Monthly charges exclude taxes & Sprint Surcharges [incl. USF charge of up to 16.7% (varies quarterly), up to $2.50 Admin. & 40¢ Reg. /line/mo.) & fees by area (approx. 5–20%)]. Surcharges are not taxes. See sprint.com/taxesandfees.

Activ. Fee:$36/line. Plans:Offer ends 01/07/2016. Savings through 01/08/2018. Req valid port from AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile active wireless line to consumer account. Plan includes unlimited domestic calling and texting and unlimited int’l texting. Select add’l int'l svcs are included. See sprint.com/globalroaming. Max of 10 phone/tablet/MBB lines and one data share group per account. At least one phone req. Subsidized devices incur an add’l $25/mo charge. Plans exclude unlimited music and video streaming, data carryover, tethering and cloud options that other carrier plans may offer. Data:High-speed data is access to 3G/4G data speeds. Includes on-network data allowance amount as determined by competitor plan and 100MB off-network data usage. Third-party content/downloads are add’l charge. Mobile Hotspot usage pulls from your shared data and off-network allowances. Discount Exclusions:Discount does not apply to certain charges such as taxes, surcharges, add-ons, apps, premium content, int’l svcs, devices, partial charges or add’l lines. Add a Line:Add a line at any time up to the max number of lines and get promotional pricing until 01/08/2018.Usage Limitations:To improve data experience for the majority of users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network. Sprint may terminate service if off-network roaming usage in a month exceeds: (1) 800 min. or a majority of min.; or (2) 100MB or a majority of KB. Prohibited network use rules apply—see sprint.com/termsandconditions. T-Mobile plan:Discount offer limited to T-Mobile’s advertised Simple Choice rate plan prices as of 11/16/15 for 2GB, 6GB and 10GB for non-discounted handsets only; tablet and MBB rate plans excluded. T-Mobile unlimited data rate plan excluded. Data is not shared among multiple lines. After high-speed data allotment is used, speeds will be reduced to 2G speeds (up to 128kbps) until the end of your bill cycle. Add'l on-network high-speed data allowance may be purchased at $15/GB. Verizon plan:Discount offer limited to Verizon’s advertised shared data rate plans as of 11/16/15 for 1GB, 3GB, 6GB, 12GB, 18GB, 20GB, and 25GB for non-discounted handsets, tablets and MBB devices. After high-speed data allotment is used, per kb overage fee applies (1.5 cents/megabyte). Tablet and MBB usage pulls from shared data allotment. AT&T plan:Discount offer limited to AT&T’s advertised shared data rate plans as of 11/16/15 for 300MB, 2GB, 5GB, 15GB, 20GB and 25GB for non-discounted handsets, tablets and MBB devices. After high-speed data allotment is used, per kb overage fee applies (1.5 cents/megabyte). Tablet and MBB usage pulls from shared data allotment. Sprint Easy Pay:Req monthly installment agreement, 0% APR, & qualifying device & service plan. If you cancel wireless service, remaining balance on device becomes due. Lease:Req qualifying device & service plan. No equipment security deposit. Customer is responsible for insurance and repairs. Early termination of lease/service: Remaining lease payments will be due immediately, and requires device return or payment of purchase option device price in lease. Contract Buy Out Offer:Max payment of $650 based on ETF (early termination fee) charged or remaining phone balance. Req active wireless phone line port from other carrier to Sprint; remain active, in good standing & turn in of working phone tied to phone balance or ETF submitted or be charged up to amount of the Reward Card. Register & submit final bill w/ ETF or phone balance within 60 days of switching at sprint.com/joinsprint. Allow 15 days after registration approval for Reward Card arrival. Excludes discounted phones, 100+ Corporate-liable, prepaid & ports made between Sprint or related entities. Device Turn-In: Phone must be deactivated & all personal data deleted. Phone will not be returned. No cash back. Not eligible for Sprint Buyback Program. If competitive device is not turned in within 30 days from activation, a non-return phone charge equal to the amount of the Reward Card provided to you. Reward Card:Terms & conditions apply to Reward Cards. See Cardholder Agreement or visit www.americanexpress.com/sprint for details. Subject to applicable law, a $3/mo service fee applies beginning in the 7th month after Card issuance. Card is issued by American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation. American Express is not the sponsor of this promotion. Sprint Global Roaming:Requires capable phone and eligible domestic service plan with primary usage in the U.S. Includes voice calls at 20¢/minute in select countries, text messaging (not picture or video) and data in select countries on GSM/GPRS networks only, see sprint.com/internationalroaming.Not for extended int’l use; primary usage must occur on our U.S. network.Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming. Premium-rate numbers not included. May not be combinable with other int’l data add-ons or offers. No tethering. Sprint reserves the right to change or discontinue offer at any time. Sprint Satisfaction Guarantee:To qualify, call us to deactivate & return to place of purchase w/ complete, undamaged phone/device & receipt within 14 days of activation. You pay for actual usage charges (monthly svc charges, taxes, Sprint surcharges, etc.). We’ll refund your phone/device cost. Activation fee will be refunded if returned within 3 days of activation. Sprint dealer may impose add’l fees. A $35 restocking fee may apply. Visit sprint.com/returns. Other Terms:Offers and coverage not available everywhere or for all phones/networks. May not be combined with other offers. No add’l discounts apply. Sprint reserves the right to change or cancel this offer at any time. Restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com for details.

Really, I'd love to see a 7 year old explain that fine print.

It's funny that he tweets no gimmicks or tricks yet that fine print seems full of gimmicks and tricks.

• $36/line activation
• Savings through 1/8/2018??? Then what?
• Subsidized devices incur add'l 25/mo charge???
• Won't match services offered by other carriers, such as tethering?
• Mobile hotspot usage pulls from your shared data and off-network allowances (100mb?)
• Discount does not apply to additional lines?
• T-Mobile plans only include simple choice 2GB/6GB and 10GB on non-discounted handsets only?
• Will not price-match T-Mobile unlimited
• Data is not shared among lines?
• After undefined high-speed data allotment is used, speeds are 2G?
• T-Mobile additional data is 15/GB
• Verizon is 1/3/6/12/18/20/25GB plan only and is 1.5cents/MB overages
• AT&T is 300/2GB/5GB/15GB/20GB/25GB 1.5cents/MB
• Turn in working phone tied to balance?
• Excludes discounted phones? That's most of T-Mob?
• Phone must be deactivated?

I think this is the strategy to eliminate unlimited users. If Tmo kills it as an option, they are the bad guys. Instead, they slowly raise the price so that it is less appealing to new customers. As they add more "freedom" and "binge" options current $80 unlimited customers see less need for unlimited and drop to cheaper plans to save a buck or two. Eventually unlimited reaches a price point where it is just plain stupid and Tmo kills it due to lack of subscribers choosing it. You slowly reach the point where your grandfathered unlimited customers are a very small percentage of subscribers. At that point you pull away benefits (freedom and binge) from unlimited and then they can't stay under the 23GB cap and are encouraged to select one of the other throttled plans that include freedom and binge so that they can continue to use the network like they did previously.

 

Sent from my SM-T237P using Tapatalk

My two cents:

T-Mobile wants to keep unlimited economic for the business and wants to offer customers choice.  I think it is pretty simple that subscribers willing to pay for a premium service (unlimited) should be hit with a premium price point.  The idea is to move everyone else that is looking for a better value for their usage patterns onto a tiered data plan and remove pain points typically associated with a tiered data plan (ie - if you stream video a tiered data plan simply doesn't work).

This kills two birds with one stone.  It allows premium power users who demand unlimited data to be priced accordingly.  Those that just like the idea of unlimited data because they want to watch video or listen to music are able to move to less expensive tiered plans with those services "well managed" and not overtly a burden on T-Mob's network.

Often times I think people look to emotion (being "bad guys" etc) to answer simple business decisions.  This is all about capturing the appropriate amount of revenue for those that need/want unlimited while allowing those that don't other options that satisfy their usage patterns.

The end goal here is simple:  Max revenues with the lowest churn.  T-Mobile is well-run, I suspect they'll continue to adjust the price of unlimited at a price point that makes sense for customers demanding the service and T-Mobile.  I mean, just think about it for a second... priced at $5/GB (very profitable), a $95/month customer is essentially paying for 19GB of data.  Round it to an even 20 and we see why the magical 23GB mark exists.  T-Mobile will not give away services and will not subsidize unlimited customers with standard limited customers.

Replacement came in just now.... still have the rattle.... meh. 

 

 

I guess i'll just live with it.

 

It's just the sim card ejector. It was annoying for me until another person on the thread pointed out what it was heh

Well I learned a valuable lesson today.

So I upgraded to the Nexus 5x and sold my GS6 that I  unlocked.  I was using it on sprint just fine, switched to my N5x, sold GS6 on eBay.

eBay customer tries to activate on sprint and can't.  Turns out, when I unlocked it, sprint automatically deleted the MEID/IMEI from Sprint's whitelist.  How nice of those fucking assholes (pardon my language but it's bullshit).

Buy a sprint branded device, unlock it, and say goodbye to reactivating it.  The guy attempted to create a ticket to have it re-whitelisted... we'll see.  What a pain. (small update: sprint did re-add it to the white list, just was a giant unknown pain)

This is NOT disclosed in their unlock policy and is a completely vindictive way to treat a customer.

I'm sick to my stomach. I just destroyed my 6P. I had it on the center console of my pickup just now. I discovered a Tmo site that just started work so I pulled off the road quickly. Phone slid into the back of my crew cab. No big deal.

 

I hop out to go open the back door to get it. I guess it was on the floor against the back door, because when I opened the door, it slid out and landed on the rough asphalt face down.

 

I freak out and pick it up and there really is no physical damage except a little scrape on the frame and a scratch on my glass screen protector. But the display is no longer working. :'(

 

I now have a $600 paper weight. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I cannot afford to replace it. I had to sell phones to buy it. I guess I just can't have nice things.

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Phones should be able to be dropped and still work.

Why not contact google support, tell them exactly what happened (you dropped it but no crack, etc) and see if they'll replace under warranty?