What that means, exactly, is unclear for this specific plan, though network management data is available here(Opens in a new window). If you're already happy with Sprint, these plans may represent a better deal for you than what you've got currently, but the company's low customer service ratings, the leased phone concept, and the fact that they tried to pull this in the first place make it a poor choice, in our opinion, for a customer switch.
Original story below:Sprint announced a new comprehensive "all-in" plan today that delivers you a phone, unlimited data, unlimited talk, and unlimited texting, all for just $80 a month. That price includes a $20 per-month phone surcharge (you return the device at the end of the 24-month period). Carriers aren't known for actually offering anyone good deals, but this one takes the cake -- you pay Sprint $480, and in return, you get to give the phone back. Even so, it's not the worst part of the deal -- that honor goes to the bullet point on the bottom of the page, as shown below.
We've talked, in the past, about the two primary methods of network management -- throttling vs. per-GB metered billing. In most cases, throttling makes much better sense, provided that it's done to actually provide quality of service rather than lining the provider's pockets. Throttling in crowded areas or emergency situations, for example, helps keep the network useful for everyone. That's not what Sprint has done. Instead, the company has slammed down a flat rating of 600Kbps, or a maximum of 75KB/s. That's positively pitiful for any modern service. It may barely creep past Netflix's "required" bandwidth (the company lists a rock-bottom rate of 0.5Mbps), but let's put some perspective on this.
My iPhone 5C with LTE enabled is capable of 36Mbps download and 10 Mbit upload on AT&T's network in Buffalo, NY. With LTE disabled (meaning back on AT&T's HSPA+ / 4G network, the phone is much slower, but still manages 4.96Mbit down and 1.04 Mbps up. What Sprint is offering is 12% as fast at maximum as my 3G-ish connection speed. It's barely more than AT&T's EDGE network, which means Sprint is trying to lock customers into a 2G-equivalent performance plan for $80 a month for a phone you don't get to keep on a network consistently rated dead last in the entire country. It's like an all you can eat buffet where the only things for dinner are depression and a waste of money, but the waiter will kick you in the shins repeatedly if you ask for water. You know, as a consolation prize.
God knows we've seen plenty of bad behavior from other carriers, but this plan is a farce even on the face of it, before we hit the inevitable hidden issues.A response to the FCC
Sprint's new plan is likely a response to the FCC's recent ruling that companies like AT&T can't preferentially throttle unlimited data customers just because they have unlimited data plans. AT&T was unable to demonstrate that its throttling met any useful quality of service purpose when it allowed customers on per-GB plans to continue using their devices but choked unlimited customers once they hit 5GB per month.
Sprint's solution, it seems, is to offer everyone a terrible deal, then claim that because it throttles everyone, all the time, it can't be accused of treating people unfairly. As poorly as Sprint's network and performance are rated, the speeds its offering are lousy even compared to the benchmarks published at various websites. Again, barely over 0.5Mbps is 3G speed on phones like the iPhone 6.
If you already have your own device and only ever use WiFi, maybe this kind of deal is good for you, especially if you're actually happy with Sprint's product to begin with. Nobody else should touch this, ever.
