One of the big differentiators for Sprint Nextel had always been the unlimited data access it had offered its users over the Clearwire mobile WiMAX-based network but as of November 2011 this is no longer the case with it removing the option from its mobile broadband plans.
The plan changes will affect devices like notebooks, mobile hotspot devices, connection cards, netbooks, USB cards and tablets but Sprint has said that smartphone devices will remain on the unlimited plans.
Sprint advised in a recent statement “effective beginning with your next bill following notification, your on-network monthly data allowance will no longer include unlimited 4G. There are no changes to your monthly recurring charges, on-network overage rates, off-network overage rate, or off-network data allowance.”
There are three mobile broadband rate plans currently offered by Sprint and they are a $45 per month plan that offers 3GB of EV-DO data and unlimited WiMAX data, a $60 per month plan that provides 5GB EV-DO data access with unlimited WiMAX data and lastly 10GB EV-DO data access with unlimited WiMAX data access. Use of WiMAX and EV-DO data will be covered under the same data cap, with an overage charge of 5 cents per MB, under the new plans being implemented by sprint.
A spokeswoman for print advised “Sprint is making these changes to help ensure we can continue to invest in areas that matter to our customers and that differentiate us from our competitors: simple and unlimited pricing plans, including unlimited data on the Sprint network without throttling for smartphones; cutting-edge selection of 4G, Android and other devices and strong customer service.”