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Customers Sue Clearwire Over Throttling, False Advertising

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Anyone who doesn't think Sprint is next...

CellStudent

Mar 10, 2011, 3:21 PM
...has their head buried in the sand.

"Unlimited 4G" doesn't work. There has to be a simple, well-defined threshold somewhere.

Sad to see that Clearwire didn't make appropriate disclosures here.
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dj89

Mar 10, 2011, 3:22 PM
My thoughts exactly.
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GettingSleepy

Mar 10, 2011, 4:22 PM
Unlimited Internet is silly anyway. Why should the guy who's using 1GB a month pay the same amount as the guy who uses 10GB a month?
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callcenterrep69

Mar 10, 2011, 4:37 PM
Because despite only using 1GB/mth, that guy still DEMANDS unlimited. I am an AT&T customer care rep, believe me...customer's just don't get it 🙄
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that1guy

Mar 10, 2011, 10:02 PM
It's probably a piece of mind thing. If you got unlimited, you don't have to worry about data usage, no matter how small the used amount is.

On the other hand, if you do have a limit, then you gotta constantly watch (I know I would) the data usage, making sure you don't go over.

I still wish carriers would give more flexibility and options regarding data packages. For example, I wish AT&T would offer a 5gig data plan, instead of stopping at 2gig. Despite what you say about average usage or like 95 percentile, I use more than 2gigs every month WITHOUT any multimedia usage whatsoever, mostly cuz of work.
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crammy1

Mar 13, 2011, 5:09 PM
that1guy said:
It's probably a piece of mind thing. If you got unlimited, you don't have to worry about data usage, no matter how small the used amount is.

On the other hand, if you do have a limit, then you gotta constantly watch (I know I would) the data usage, making sure you don't go over.


exactly...

were i come from we have different "MB's" its not for amount of usage though..its for speeds(basically like what verizon is proposing).. so everybody has unlimited and doesnt have to watch out for their usage...but the speeds vary..depends on how deep your pocket is ...
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Slammer

Mar 10, 2011, 10:42 PM
This is my argument:

All-you-can-eat buffets are fairly popular. It is one price no matter how much somebody eats. My wife eats very little. I am a rather large man that consumes a large amount of food. Does this mean buffets should charge less for the ones that don't eat as much? It is what it is.

People have choices. If an individual does not think unlimited is fair, they can go somewhere else. I know two people that left Sprint for this reason. The carrier they are with now, appeared to be fair and cheaper because it offered tiered pricing. They felt they were getting a better deal because the ones that used more, paid more. They didn't feel ripped. Not a problem right? Then they got their bill. They ended up having to go the highe...
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Azeron

Mar 11, 2011, 12:33 AM
Absolutely. I want an unlimited talk, text and data plan. Even IF I only use 200 peak minutes a month because most of my usage is M2M. It's all about choice. Taking away unlimited voice or text or data is taking away choice. If a carrier offers both...I am all for it. If only one is available then give me all I can eat.
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 11:48 AM
It's so obvious that Cellstudent works for ATT. This is why he can't stand unlimited data plans.
When people have a "feature" phone, unlimited is in most cases complete overkill. However with "smarthones" I completely agree with Sprint's(as well as ATT's original iphone)stance. It should not only be offered but be a requirement. This prevents customers from shooting themselves in the head when they open their $1200 cell bill because little Billy likes to chat. There are only 2 reasons that a company would not offer unlimited data: They are hoping for extra revenue on overages... or they do not have the capacity to offer it. Both of which are true for ATT.

His argument doesn't hold water... even in light of this "lawsuit".
Heck if anyth...
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GettingSleepy

Mar 11, 2011, 1:56 PM
All you can eat buffets are also a luxury and generally more expensive, that's why I go to subway for lunch and get a $5 to $6 footlong. I'm sure glad I don't have to pay $7 to $12 every time I go to lunch for all I can eat. 🙂
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Slammer

Mar 11, 2011, 2:30 PM
The problem is that carriers offering tiered data, are not using subway pricing. If subway's sub fill you, that's fine. If you consume more data vs consuming subs, you are going to find yourself at a buffet. 😁


John B.
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Azeron

Mar 11, 2011, 3:12 PM
Why can't we have choice. If you never eat at a buffet why demand that there be no buffets when there are those who do?
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 3:48 PM
Their arguments remind me of the ultra conservatives who are too fat, ugly, old, or repressed to have sex so they demand no one else get laid either....
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DiamondPro

Mar 11, 2011, 4:13 PM
GettingSleepy said:
All you can eat buffets are also a luxury and generally more expensive, that's why I go to subway for lunch and get a $5 to $6 footlong. I'm sure glad I don't have to pay $7 to $12 every time I go to lunch for all I can eat. 🙂


Depends on were you eat at. Buffets are always a lot cheaper for me then say Pappadeaux's or the Cheesecake factory. Are you really comparing a subway to a buffet? The difference between the 2 are night and day. The menu selection at subway is nothing compared to a buffet and the dinning experience is sub par. Even the food preparations are nothing to rave about. Soups and salads buffets are about the same price but you get to make your meal just right and can e...
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DiamondPro

Mar 11, 2011, 3:53 PM
Well put... Ive seen the same thing. People complain about Sprints pricing thinking the grass is greener on the other side. Then they go over there finding out their not and wish they never left because they end up paying more for a lot less. But then they cant come back because their stuck on contract.

To the people who don't go to buffets they still may use unlimited some way shape or form. Most restaurants offer free refills on the drink. Who wants to pay for each one on top of what they are already paying for a full meal.

Its the same thing with a cell phone plan you are already shelling out $100 of dollars. Why would you want them to tack on hundreds more for usage you may not even know was costing you extra. If carriers are goi...
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bp3dots1

Mar 12, 2011, 3:40 PM
Carriers DO provide tools to measure data useage. It's availabl;e on all their websites. Customers conveniently ignore that fact, and then when they get a coronary inducing bill, they rampage up to the store or call into customer service and swear up and down that they had no idea.

Now, I think having choices in data plans is great. But I think any plan less than unlimited should require the customer to sign a form explicitly stating that they are responsible for any overages they incur, without the possibility of getting fees waived. This way, customers would have to actually look at their useage, and they would be able to increase their data package if they were about to go over (or stop their data useage) which would be a much smaller ...
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Slammer

Mar 12, 2011, 6:32 PM
I think you're the one that lives in Rochester. Do you work at the corporate store in Henrietta?

John B.
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Azeron

Mar 10, 2011, 4:46 PM
I LOVE unlimited Internet. Thanks Verizon. I am going to wear that *BLEEP* out until you stop me.
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Slammer

Mar 10, 2011, 6:33 PM
I guess I'm the Devil's advocate here. We could look at this in another perspective.

Why should my wife have to pay the same price for an all you can eat buffet, when she doesn't eat nearly as much as myself?

There is definitely a huge argument on both sides for subs of carriers. I know two people that left Sprint due to one size fits all. They felt it wasn't fair that they pay the same for data consumption as someone that uses more. However, in the end, they found they were paying 55 dollars more a month on their new carrier for a limit of 5gigs because they found the 2Gigs wasn't enough. If you break it down, throttling is better in this case.

I like tiered pricing when it is fair. However, the carriers have once again strategi...
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Cosmic Spiderman

Mar 12, 2011, 5:57 PM
Sorry, but I think you will be hard pressed to find ANY business that does not fix their pricing to their own benefit. Don't know that it is "Bait and Switch" so much a pricing for profitability.
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Slammer

Mar 12, 2011, 6:19 PM
This is true. However, here's my take. Many are experiencing data consumption on new phones for the first time. These people have no idea how powerful these phones are. A carrier prices the first tier at an attractive amount to lure new subs. The subs then get their bill. They end up having to switch up to the next tier. I call it a form of bait and switch.

John B.
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Cosmic Spiderman

Mar 12, 2011, 6:29 PM
Well, if a sales rep is doing their job, they educate their clients for this possibility. Easier to move down than deal with overages after the fact. And at least for now, VZW is offering an unlimited option. If it is not presented properly, I can see the bait and switch idea, but a customer has a choice and if they don't want to pay as much then they should make sure they keep track of what they use. Customers chose their limits, they should be responsible for tracking them.
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Slammer

Mar 12, 2011, 6:54 PM
At 50, I've been around and also worked in retail in other industries. I have witnessed very few sales people(including colleagues and family) that actually try to educate consumers to a lower sales bracket. It even amazes me that people I know try to snow me with propaganda.

Salesman do care about getting their ears chewed off. The reason I believe few reps will sell a lower tier and try to sell the higher. Millions of dollars a month can be made if subs spend just 5 to ten dollars month more for the next tier. That is why the entry tier has few mbs. Bait and switch.

John B.
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Cosmic Spiderman

Mar 12, 2011, 7:23 PM
Well, I can assure you that no company has ever taught me to do anything other than ask probing questions to make sure of what the customer wants and needs. I sure don't want a customer coming back mad at me saying that I didn't make them aware of all their options
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Slammer

Mar 12, 2011, 9:31 PM
No presumably "ethical" company should ever impose or suggest shady sales when conferencing with their associated employees. However, after the conferencing, most companies would hope their associates will go out and do what ever is necessary to make the bottom line. I think you get my point.

John B.
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Dollgrin

Mar 13, 2011, 5:17 PM
Slammer said:
No presumably "ethical" company should ever impose or suggest shady sales when conferencing with their associated employees. However, after the conferencing, most companies would hope their associates will go out and do what ever is necessary to make the bottom line. I think you get my point.

John B.



I used to hear that all the time in the store I used to work at. They would "preach" about doing whats best for the customer and being "honest". The next thing you know you're in trouble for letting a sale walk out because you were "too honest". There was a girl who was an absolute shark and she was always praised for her performace even though most of her sales were shady. Without going i...
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Cosmic Spiderman

Mar 14, 2011, 10:14 AM
Sorry, I don't relate. I educate my customers about their options. In my area, U.S. Cellular is amazing. Great coverage, great plans, and decent devices, all as long as you don't leave this area. As soon as you do, dead. I ask the U.S. Cellular customers if they travel much. If they don't, I tell them to stay with their company. If they do, I tell them to switch to VZW. It is more costly, but you get better coverage. While that doesn't immediately help my bottom line, they know I'm not just trying to sell them VZW, they know I am honest and they refer friends and family to me and THAT helps my bottom line. I can not sell a product I don't believe in. I would never sell AT&T or T-Mobile. I might sell Sprint and U.S. Cellular. But in ANYTHING ...
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Dollgrin

Mar 14, 2011, 1:04 PM
It was one of the reasons I left that particular store and now work at a new location. I couldn't bring myself to lie or not give them the whole story just to get them to buy. The place I'm at now is way better and what the other job should have been. Oh well, what goes around comes around. They don't even realize that they could get MORE business if they treated people right instead of being so shady. Yeah, they get a cust the first time, but what about the rest of the time that cust is going to have service with said company and do more business with that particular store. Some people just don't see that far!
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Cosmic Spiderman

Mar 14, 2011, 1:18 PM
Yep. When a customer leave the store they are going to tell people and it is either going to be good or bad. If you deal honestly you will get repeat business and referal business. I think most companies realize this and encourage that. Yes, they want every sale they can get and if they get on off of someone's bad practices, so be it, but I think they prefer them gotten off of good practices. Like I said, I may be naive, but I don't think businesses encourage questionable sales.
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Dollgrin

Mar 14, 2011, 1:22 PM
I try to stay away from saying it the business, when really it's the management that's the problem.
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 12:14 PM
No one is forced into unlimited data pricing...
That's what other carriers are for. Use the carrier that fits your needs... however be prepared to pay extra money for less data.
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Azeron

Mar 10, 2011, 4:43 PM
Hopefully this will be tossed into the trash where it belongs.
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Kayslay34

Mar 10, 2011, 4:50 PM
You must be like the other millions of people who do not read their terms and conditions, Sprint specifically states that anything deemed abusive to the network can be canceled or suspended at anytime.
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Menno

Mar 10, 2011, 5:12 PM
But the problem is that there's no idea what "Abusive" means.
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ProfessorChaos

Mar 10, 2011, 5:22 PM
Here you can find what Sprint deems abusive under the 'Prohibited Network Uses' section

http://shop2.sprint.com/en/legal/legal_terms_privacy ... »
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Azeron

Mar 10, 2011, 5:23 PM
I believe in beating it up. I was doing 9 Gigs a month when I had the XV6900. With a Droid and the ability to actually stream video and music... The sky is the limit.
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Kayslay34

Mar 10, 2011, 6:35 PM
Hey Menno, been a long time. But Should we really lets peoples ignorance give them a free pass?
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CellStudent

Mar 10, 2011, 7:49 PM
Kayslay34 said:
Should we really let Clearwire's stupidity give them a free pass?



Fixt.


They need to have a simple, clear, unambiguous definition of over-usage.

They don't.
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Azeron

Mar 10, 2011, 9:10 PM
This has no merit. Hope to see you back in the Sprint forum eating crow when it gets tossed.
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 12:12 PM
Wow, for once we agree, Stroker.
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ButtaKnife

Mar 11, 2011, 12:11 PM
The difficulty here, and why many companies that provide bandwidth of some sort, have vague definitions is so that they don't have to play cat 'n mouse with users finding things that aren't explicitly prohibited.
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 12:18 PM
CellStudent said:


Fixt.


They need to have a simple, clear, unambiguous definition of over-usage.

They don't.



Actually they don't... and yet again, you are wrong. There is no clear definition of "abuse" because when it comes to smartphones, Sprint doesn't consider any type of data usage abusive.... unless you are roaming. If you use data roaming more than your limit, they will nail you, but only after sending you warning letters about it. But in-network on a Sprint smartphone there is no such thing as "over-usage". So there is no need to have a definition of it... is that "simple and clear" enough for you?
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CellStudent

Mar 11, 2011, 12:52 PM
CamelTowing said:
But in-network on a Sprint smartphone there is no such thing as "over-usage". So there is no need to have a definition of it... is that "simple and clear" enough for you?


That's not a sustainable business model in a 4G world.
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Azeron

Mar 11, 2011, 1:00 PM
"That's not a sustainable business model in a 4G world."

Maybe. Keep cheering for Sprint to fail or sell out. I'll do the opposite.
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Slammer

Mar 11, 2011, 2:18 PM
I don't think anyone really has a business model as of yet in the 4G world. It is too new to the market. It is essentially one huge test market for carriers and consumers alike.

Sprint has every right to test an all you can eat buffet while other carriers test by the plate meals. Sprint has noticed an increasing interest in their unlimited data. This has initiated the press to move forward with the direction. There is no doubt their network could handle the load capacity. I do however, commend Sprint to slightly raise the prices to compensate for this experience. Their pricing still keeps them well within the competitive industry. Why not let them be an all you can eat restaurant in data market? There is a market for it. Just like in the...
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 2:44 PM
If we were talking about your employer, I'd agree. Att(and Vzw for that matter) have little to no room for expansion with their spectrum holdings. As it stands att and vzw will have to roam off of each other to have a "nationwide" 700mhz LTE network, so of course they won't offer unlimited when they have to pay roaming fees.
Sprint on the other hand has enough spectrum to create 2 or 3 nationwide 4G networks and eliminate any kind of roaming costs associated with it.
So thanks for your ummmm insight? It's always interesting.
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Menno

Mar 14, 2011, 8:38 PM
Verizon's LTE purchases cover more than their current 3g footprint. Roaming won't be an issue.


And sprint's spectrum makes it inefficient to build out 4g (wimax or LTE) in areas of lower population densities, meaning their network will struggle to expand past cities.
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GettingSleepy

Mar 11, 2011, 1:47 PM
No such thing as "over-usage"? Wasn't there a poorly coded app not to long ago that almost shut down part of T-mobile's network by over-using it?
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 3:10 PM
You got selective sight? I don't know what you are reading but it can't be what I actually wrote because I was talking about Sprint's policies not Tmobs...
And do you see how Sprint's customers wouldn't affected by something like this because they have unlimited data... can you imagine the calls and pissed off people if this was on a tiered att plan?
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CamelTowing

Mar 11, 2011, 12:11 PM
While I agree with the idea that Cellstudent didn't read anything before jumping to conclusions, smartphones have no data limits at sprint. 3G or 4G is both unlimited... on network. 3G has a data cap when roaming... or when on a connection card. Then the 3G cap is 5GB. There is no such limitation on 4G. So, using unlimited 4G would not entail any kind of data abuse. I would know... My 1st month of data after I switched to the evo was over 12gb... my next 4 months were between 7 and 10gb... I used my evo several times for a mobile hotspot, downloaded movies and used it often. I switched to the evo shift a while back and last month my data usage was a thin 3gb. Keep in mind that I didn't use it as a hotspot and only sent and rec'd emails and s...
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Jayshmay

Mar 10, 2011, 10:23 PM
You and your love of tiered data! 😈

Perhaps if a company actually spent $$$ on beefing up the network so it can handle say 5,000-10,000 users simutaneously and STILL maintail 3-6mbps+. That 5,000-10,000 simultaneous users per cell site was just an estimation is all. But beef up these networks damn it. If a company has 90+m customers build the network to support those 90+m customers. It's a phrase in business called "meet demand"!
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DiamondPro

Mar 11, 2011, 3:39 PM
But they are keeping the option alive much longer than there competitors and should be commended for it. 😁

Right now your just blowing steam you have no proof or even dates about when this will happen. It could take place years from now and by then it probably wont matter. All we know is that Sprint is offering unlimited 4g across its 4g network.

There has been rumors online of Sprint throttling but I have never seen this first hand. All I can speak on is my personal experience which has never once been throttled and has been consistently faster then any 3g.

You might not use a lot of data. But believe it or not there are people out there that do and nobody wants to be internet surfing with the meter running. Even people who do...
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