Sprint Wireless Internet

Sprint Wireless Internet

Sprint Wireless Internet is provided by the Sprint Nextel Corporation.  Sprint Nextel as a company can trace its beginnings back to 1899 when it was founded by Cleyson Brown, Carlos Florendo and Mary Dillo as the Dillo-Brown Telephone Company.  Since that time through many mergers and acquisitions Sprint Nextel has grown to become the number three long distance provider and majority owner of Clearwire wireless.  Not only has Sprint become a provider of wireless services in its own right it also provides access to other companies such as Virgin Mobile who offer their services through Sprints network.

As Verizon continues to grow by leaps and bounds and AT&T opts to buy T-Mobile it looks like Sprint maybe cemented that into that number three position for some time to come.  One of the reasons the for this cementing is its use of the WiMax technology for its 4G network, and it’s a technology that looks like it’s destined for the dust bin of history.  This will more than likely force Sprint to rethink its position and plot a new course using LTE (Long-Term Evolution) the consensus winner as far as future technology goes.  Adding to Sprint’s problems is the fact that it has $6.2 billion in debt maturities coming due between now and the in the 2013 along with Clearwire’s need for as much as 6 billion to complete its 4G data network.

Sprint Wireless Internet data plans are available in the number of ways.  The mobile broadband data plans start out at $44.99 a month for 3 GB of network data access and unlimited hotspot access.  The plans ramp up from there to 5 GB and 10 GB priced at $59.99 and $89.99 a month respectively.  One interesting plan that is included is a 4G mobile broadband connection plan that provides unlimited usage for $49.99 a month.  Be aware though that 4G connection may only be available in major cities or heavily traveled corridors at the present time. Low cost air cards are also offered with a 2 year contract.

Sprint Wireless Internet does do something that other providers are starting to get away from and that’s charging for overages. Sprint Wireless Internet presently charges 5¢ for every additional megabyte that you go over your allotment.  This applies to all but the 4G mobile broadband connection plan, so if you are heavy user of the Internet while on the road choose your plan carefully or you could wind up with some hefty overage charges applied do your bill and the end of the month. Other providers are moving towards throttling, which simply lowers your connection speed when you go over your allotment.

Another interesting addition to the mobile data plans by Sprint is the singling out of laptops and tablets for special plans.  These plans while similar to the mobile broadband plans have added a few twists.  The twist has to do with the Dell 3G, Peel 3G and Tablet 3G plans in that three new data usage breakdowns have been added, these include a 500 MB, 1 GB and 2 GB usage options respectively.  The same overage fees as mentioned earlier still apply to these plans is well.

If you’re looking for customer satisfaction though Sprint Nextel is number one among all the major carriers according to the 2011 American Consumer Satisfaction Index.  Sprint is also the only major carrier to make consumer satisfaction improvements year over year since 2008.  Sprint was also recognized by the J.D. Power Consumer Service Champion, only one of 40 companies to earn this praise along with its number one ranking in call satisfaction from Vocalabs in 2011.  So if you’re looking for consumer satisfaction look no further than Sprint.