richy

600kbps might just manage a 640x360 stream with some level of decency but 1mbps would be better. With h265 coming that will improve a little on devices that support it but it is most effective at high resolutions. 

I love unlimited, not because I thrash it, but because I know what my bill will be. If Sprint straight matched tmos 2 for 100 deal I would be very close to switching, tmos international plan is about all that would keep me. Sprint needs to shower a bit more love on the rock I live on but hopefully that will change in the next year. 

Tmos 21GB has been talked about a lot. It is the threshold at which the deprioritization kicks in currently for the top 3% of users. It's basically what they did before but now they are saying what amount gets you on the naughty step. 

What I don't understand about Sprints offering, even with the 600kbps is that it is enforced all the time, even if you are the only one on a site. That minor tweak alone would make this a very different proposition. If they have the capacity free why not let people use it? 

I understand the reluctance to offer unfettered unlimited because the reality is any provider would need to eventually restrict it. It also needs some clear disadvantage over a pay per GB plan (which is fair). Prioritizing the pay per GB traffic seems fair. 

Sprint came really close with this plan, lets hope they listen and tweak it slightly. 

wow im really torn....  ive been doing a lot of europe trips lately and i was going to break out my old touch pro 2 but its just too old to be usable anymore... i miss that phone best keyboard on a phone EVER... and i still miss the stylus...  

 

and 

 

i want triband support... but then again im in phoenix id be happy with just any band support (yes i know its coming im being facetious) so on one hand id love triband but realistically when am i going to get support for it... and i really want the note 3 lol damn you sprint why can you give me world phablet and triband..  

 

grrr

I have the tp2, you could always just use it as a wireless router (for another smartphone) + dumbphone. I have taken this approach. It isn't the fastest phone but it is more than capable as a router and there are freeware apps to do this. 

No.  The "R4" variant that I also detail for its multi band and SVLTE capabilities is destined for regional operators that have roaming agreements with Sprint.

 

AJ

Ah, then this is indeed a missed opportunity. I would have happily paid an extra $50 for it to have triband and waited an extra month or two if it had been an issue with delays (assuming Sprint communicated the timescale now). One thing Sprint really needs is 800mhz lte and voice, especially on a device like this (at least in my market). My commiserations to Sprint's pooch!

Great write up! Is there any chance this variant is for smaller regional carriers who have roaming with sprint? Perhaps another variant will be released for sprint at a later date? It's a long shot I know!!