Tablet customers can now tap in the Sprint unlimited data morass with the carrier offering $20 per month access, in line with rival T-Mobile
Sprint is pushing a new tablet-related promotion tied to its recent unlimited data moves, allowing the big-screened devices to access services for $20 per month.
The carrier notes the new offer includes “unlimited” services similar to its “Unlimited Freedom” plans of mobile streaming video, online gaming, streaming music and general LTE access. The streaming video is capped at 480p resolution, while the music is limited to speeds up to 500 kilobits per second and online gaming at speeds up to two megabits per second.
Similar to the carrier’s recently launched “Unlimited Freedom Premium” option, customers can unlock higher quality video, high-definition music streaming and online gaming speeds up to 8 Mbps for an additional $20 per month.
For devices so enabled, both rate plans also include unlimited text messaging. Sprint does maintain the right to limit data speeds for customers using in excess of 23 gigabytes of data per month and are accessing services from a congested cell site.
In terms of the new tablet promotion, customers will have to sign up for the carrier’s AutoPay program or be charged an additional $5 per month; have a tablet either already paid for or on a monthly installment plan, with customers using a tablet with a subsidized price charged an additional $10 access fee per month; and have at least one active phone line.
The pricing does undercut the least expensive smartphone fee for accessing unlimited services, which is currently at $30 per month for the third through 10th line on a multiline plan, and is half the $40 charge for a second smartphone line.
Matches T-Mobile offer
In terms of competition, T-Mobile US also charges $20 per month for customers to add unlimited services for a tablet as part of its recently launched “One” plans. Those lines also require customers to already have at least one smartphone line and for customers to sign up for its AutoPay service to receive the $20 per month rate, otherwise unlimited access for tablets are priced at $70 per month if it’s the only device on the plan.
Sprint this week released preliminary second fiscal quarter results, which showed the carrier accrued 740,000 net connections during the period. That growth included 344,000 postpaid net additions, 823,000 net connection additions through its wholesale and affiliates, and the loss of 427,000 prepaid connections.
Of its postpaid growth, Sprint said phone connections counted for 347,000 net additions, which was double the previous quarter and more than five-times what it posted for the same quarter last year. However, those results would seem to indicate the carrier lost tablet connections during the latest quarter.
Domestic carriers have been somewhat cautious in terms of targeting tablet devices, which due to their lack of voice-calling capabilities typically have access charges priced below that of traditional smartphones. In addition, the tablet market in general has tapered off as a lack of new innovation in the space has drained customer enthusiasm from purchasing new devices.
Bored? Why not follow me on Twitter
