marioc21

Anything's better than James Earl Jones yelling "what?" half a dozen times and then ending with SPRINT.

 

I like these quite a bit. They're quirky, they get people talking, they're memorable.

 

I'm bad at identifying accents, what is "papa's" supposed to be?

See post #18

The dad's accent resembles a mix of a Brooklyn and New Jersey accent. I'm told my accent sounds similar to that but not nearly as heavy.

Three words for you: Andrew Dice Clay.  See post #18.

Here's the official PR release on the new "Frobinson Framily" campaign.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/frobinson-framily-stars-sprint-campaign-140000831.html

The hamster is voiced by Andrew Dice Clay.  Who knew he was still around?

I think the mom is Judy Greer. I love the character she voices on Archer. 

The writer has created a contradiction. He says Sprint isn't a part of the price war and then explains how Sprint is warring in the price war with Framily. It's not desperate, it's genius. And it appears to be working.

 

If you don't want to deal with a Framily plan, then don't. Some people will not want to put forth the effort. But they have other options. If it isn't successful, then Sprint will do something else. If Sprint doesn't meet your needs, we understand. You should find the best provider for you. However, you are continuing an off topic conversation.

 

Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro

Seems his argument comes down to "Sprint isn't price warring the way I want them to, so they're not fighting at all."  

It'll be interesting to hear the 2nd quarter earnings call after Framily has been fully in place for a quarter.  I wonder whether it's resulting in significant subscriber additions.  Also, how it's affected sprint ARPU, etc.

Was he asking if we have seen the one that "exists" or if we have "seen" one as in does one exist yet?

I took it as the latter.  I don't believe a sprint LTE commercial exists yet.  Sprint isn't comfortable with the build-out of the network to put them out yet.  I think they've said that in the second half of the year we may finally start to see some. 

Nope.  Sprint's only focusing on their value proposition with the Framily plans right now.  I imagine that you won't see any commercials pushing the network for a while yet.  In the second half of the year we might start to see some. 

looks like zvb is out (JB TO KK)

 

this was posted on XDA not long ago..

 

Link to thread? Haven't been able to find any reference to this.

I was down the 7 cities last weekend. That's nearing completion.. seriously?

Looking at the map the number of towers that are still waiting to get some kind of upgrade is down to single digits for the Norfolk market.  I do hope that means that most of those crews will head west on 64. 

Joe Euteneuer, CFO, gave a presentation at the e Deutsche Bank Media, Internet & Telecom Conference. Discusses, Framily plans, 800 LTE, carrier aggregation and other topics. Not sure there's anything really new but it might be worth listening too.

Some stories related to the presentation:

FierceWireless

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-cfo-sky-isnt-falling-management-working-softbanks-son/2014-03-10

Light Reading

http://www.lightreading.com/mobile/4g-lte/sprint-sparks-to-reduce-churn-save-unlimited/d/d-id/708153?&_mc=SM_LR_Edit

Audio of Interview - http://www.media-server.com/m/p/f5h4dtaq

I need to keep unlimited on my three lines and yes that's what my EDF1500 looks like. I guess I'll wait around and see if the restrictions change on allowing 10 existing customer's to merge.

As MacinJosh pointed out my original reply forgot to add the premium data fee to each of the first two lines. So just add $20 to the total I posted for the ED1500 plan.  So the difference between the Framily plan and ED plan isn't as large. But I think the Framily plan would still be more expensive if you only have 3 lines.  

Mario, I believe you forgot the premium data fee for each of the first 2 lines. The EDF1500 was 129.99 + 20 for premium data. And he wanted the cost of the phones included too.

 

 

The total cost for 2 years of EDF1500 with 3 lines and 3 GS3's is $4,769.49. For a Framily of 3, the total 2 year cost with phone purchase is $4,739.97.

Did you include the upgrade to unlimited data in your number? That was in the original question. The Framily plan cost seems low to me. 

Mario, I believe you forgot the premium data fee for each of the first 2 lines. The EDF1500 was 129.99 + 20 for premium data. And he wanted the cost of the phones included too.

 

 

The total cost for 2 years of EDF1500 with 3 lines and 3 GS3's is $4,769.49. For a Framily of 3, the total 2 year cost with phone purchase is $4,739.97.

Yup, I forgot the premium data for the first two. 

I don't really want to get into comparisons involving ED plans, but I could use some input.

 

I'm currently on EDF1500 with Premium data and 3 lines. Using a S3 for example, what's the comparison costs between the two with unlimited data if no additional Framily lines are added? I'm really considering changing and am wondering what's the initial cost prior to adding anyone else.

 

Are you looking to keep unlimited data for all three lines? If so you will probably be looking at a higher bill than what you're paying.  I had the same plan with 3 lines as well.  Was yours like this:

EDF 1500 w/3 lines

$129.99 for 2 lines

$19.99 + $10 premium data for line 3

Total $159.98 + Tax

A framily plan with 3 lines would look like this.

$45 per line x 3 = $135

$20 unlimited data x 3 lines = $60

Total $195 + Tax

As you can see for three lines it's not a good tradeoff if you want to keep unlimited for all of the lines.  I switched because I was willing to give up the unlimited data for myself and my wife and mother-in-law don't ever come close to a 1GB of data usage in a month.  It made it worthwhile to switch since I would save about $30 without adding any more lines.  Thankfully I was able to get my sister's three lines added to framily so my I now have 6 in my group. 

Yeah, prepare for the public shell shock when everyone finally starts having to pay full price for their iPhones. Hopefully this will drive prices down a bit, as I'm pretty sure smart phones are extremely high margin products now. Unless you're HTC of course.

My guess is that eventually every retailer that currently sells phones on contract will replace those with an installment plan option.  I'm sure best buy, walmart, target, radio shack, etc. will have their own program for financing the phone you want.  That's when you'll finally get market pressure on phone prices as consumers start shopping around for the best "full" price on the phone they want.  

Maybe with Sprint taking so long getting the kitkat update we could see the 4k video, 120fps, and maybe knock code. It would be worth adding since its taking so long to push out.

 

Sent from my LG G2 on the Now Network

Wifi calling would be nice too. 

I'm dreading the end of subsidies because my SERO plan is much cheaper than unlimited data Framily plus device financing, even if I get 7 people somehow. Plus I would lose the grandfathered nights and weekends starting at 5pm and Sprint-to-home features if I switched to Framily.

The Framily plans come with unlimited calling so the 5pm nights and weekends, and phone to home wouldn't matter.

Well the TMobile KitKat update for the G2 is not officially rolling out OTA.  Hope this means the Sprint will be coming shortly. 

http://www.androidcentral.com/t-mobile-lg-g2-kitkat-update-now-rolling-out-ota?utm_source=ac&utm_medium=dlvrit

Sprint has to be able to get it out before Verizon, right?

Okay, so I'm reading over the transcript of the call again to make sure I typed things up right and I caught this passage from the Q&A:

CEO: 

We actually did our own optimization, we did not form that out, which is part of the difference there, but our customers are still expressing some displeasure when they travel outside of our footprint as far as their LTE usage.

We are encouraged that Sprint has seen to pick-up momentum as far as completing their 4G build-out. And we’re optimistic that by the end of the year, they will have built out the LTE to the borders and the customer experience will be dramatically improved.

 

So Shentel customers have been complaining about lack of LTE once they hit Sprint's native network. Man, Shentel customers are spoiled. Lol.

Here's the call transcript.

http://m.seekingalpha.com/article/2058563

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
 

I have 3 clicks to get to that option... Bring down drawer, hold down the data option and click on network mode. I guess you have a different preferred method...

 

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk

Thanks for that. I had no idea you could do that. 

The earnings call is going on right now. Seems to be about half way through. Nothing interesting so far.



LTE Network details:

47% of data traffic is on LTE

15% of voice traffic is over 800mhz

Successfully installed second LTE carrier on 12 of busiest sites.

Plan to add second carrier to another 12 sites.

Still trying to implement LTE on 800. Still waiting for clearances on spectrum. Seem to be waiting on Sprint.

Approximately 30% of planned CapEx this year is for network expansion mostly to areas adjacent to their cable network. Will include new towers and fiber to towers that don't have it yet. Overall CapEx for coming year will be about 25% below last year's level. 

Q&A

Don't expect too much Spark activity for Shentel until 2015. CEO said they've identified some areas of footprint where 2.5 could be useful, but are taking an observation year to see how it goes for Sprint. CEO was asked how many towers they've identified as possible spark sites and answer was about 100. (20% or so of total towers.)

No questions about expanding into nTelos land. Sorry guys.

Call over. 

I received word today that Shentel is starting to rollout a second PCS LTE carrier now on busy sites in the Woodstock to Hagerstown corridor.  Possibly also in additional areas.  Keep an eye on your LTE Engineering screen for different channel assignments and make sure to post them here if you do.

 

Also, I heard that Shentel will be adding a Band 41 LTE overlay to sites in three Shentel cities in 2014.  With more to follow in 2015.  I don't have any more details than this.  This is all I know at this time.

 

It would be nice if the additional B25 LTE carriers is part of a Sprint network wide push to add them where needed and spectrum available.  And Shentel is just a part of that big grand plan.  But this may just be Shentel being aggressive in their network management.  Shentel is awesome.  

 

Robert

Shentel's earnings call is tomorrow morning at 8 ET. Maybe we'll get some further clarity.

I'm bullish on Shentel.  They have such a good reputation (at least in wireless) and their Sprint stores are some of the busiest in the country I hear.  If they can make it where they currently serve, I feel like they can do very well in the Virginia Panhandle and the more urbanized areas of West Virginia.

 

Robert

 

EDIT:  Heck, I say let Shentel do the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska build outs too.  Maybe they can also take over Swiftel.  

I wonder how easy it would be for shentel to expand beyond its current footprint. Part of why they've been successful is that they are a full service outfit. They provide internet, phone, cable, and wireless over their own fiber. It's easy for them to get backhaul to towers.

Since this is my first android, when a new operating system becomes available, does it upgrade your phone, or wipe it completely clean? Will I lose everything when upgrading?

An update to the OS will just upgrade the OS. Your data and apps should remain untouched. 

Minor stuff so far. 

1. Postpaids up. Total subs at 464,000.

2. ARPU up. Will start new metric called ARPA (Avg. revenue per account)

3. Initial LTE buildout will go on through 2014. Reach 50% of pops by end of year.

4. Agreed to expanded market trial with DISH. Initial testing will finish at end of Q1. Will begin limited marketing of service in Q2.

5. Launched first 4 LTE markets over Christmas.

6. Launched new family plans.

7. Won't provide additional "color" on relationship with Sprint. They have a good relationship and hope to continue providing service to Sprint for years to come. Asked that no question about future of relationship be asked during Q&A. 

That last part is interesting. Must mean negotiations are still ongoing. 

Q&A is going on now.  Nothing interesting so far. 

Someone did ask about sprint. Same answer as before. Can't provide any additional "color" on relationship beyond their existing agreement.

Equipment used in Dish fixed wireless trial does support band 41. Vendor they selected uses equipment that supports it. 

Not aware of any overbuild activity currently being performed by Sprint. 

Question about LTE rollout. Early days since first market was launched. Should progress quickly. Speeds are 11-12 mbps down and 4 up in first markets. 80 cell sites so far up and going. Hoping to hit 70%+ covered pops by end of year. 

Also asked how much of nTelos 1700mhz overlaps with TMo. Answer was "not much". 

And the call is now over. So there you go. 

I'll attach a link to a written transcript once it's available. Here's the transcript link: http://seekingalpha.com/article/2055603-ntelos-holdings-management-discusses-q4-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single