Sprint To Drop Unlimited 4G Mobile Broadband Plans

This isn’t good news at all for Sprint customers.  It seems that Sprint has announced that it will be throwing their Unlimited 4G Mobile Broadband plans to the curb.  Sadly enough, this isn’t just a rumor, but it has been confirmed.

What’s worse is, this isn’t going to take place starting January 1st, 2012, or even December 1st, 2011.  It’s going to take effect on the next billing cycle for Sprint customers.  I’m not a Sprint customer, but this is really bad news for those people that are.  In fact, this could even change some customers minds to go looking for a new mobile phone carrier.

Until now, Sprint has offered three separate plans: 3GB of 3G data with unlimited 4G data; 5GB of 3G data and unlimited 4G; and 10GB of 3G and unlimited 4G.

Under the new option, those data caps will combine 3G and 4G access. If you have the 3G plan, for example, Sprint will offer 3G of combined 3G and 4G per month. Overages will cost $.05/MB, and users will have 100MB of off-network roaming, with $0.25/MB in overages.

The good news is, is that Sprint did state that pricing of the plans will not change at this time.  They are going to remain the same. However, Sprint will be limiting data usage via a devices mobile hotspot.

Currently, if you use your phone’s Mobile Hotspot add-on, the Mobile Hotspot data usage is combined with your phone data usage,” Sprint said. “Effective on your next bill following notification, your monthly mobile hotspot on-network data usage will be limited to 5GB of 3G or combined 3G/4G usage dependent upon device capability.

Any data usage above 5GB will cost $.05/MB, while monthly off-network data will still be limited to 300MB. Pricing for this option will also not change and Sprint said:

If your phone plan contains unlimited data, you will continue to enjoy unlimited data usage on your phone while on the Sprint network.

Again, this comes as really bad news for a lot of Sprint customers.  As we all know, Sprint is the only mobile carrier that offers offered a “TRULY UNLIMITED 4G PLAN.” This was outstanding to use as a replacement for a home connection.  Unfortunately, starting almost immediately, this will no longer be offered.

So the question is this.  If you’re a Sprint customer and had an unlimited 4G plan, will you remain with Sprint or will you be switching to another mobile carrier now that this has been announced ?

Source: PcMag