Sprint's Definition of "Unlimited" Jibes with Merriam-Webster
Sprint's Definition of "Unlimited" Jibes with Merriam-Webster
Posted 03/14/2011 at 6:21am
| by Paul Lilly
7
Comments
Print
Merriam-Webster defines "unlimited" as "boundless, infinite" and "not bounded by exceptions." Simple enough, right? It was, at least until wireless carriers got hold of the term and began using it haphazardly. Enter Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, who's apparently as fed up as we are with companies touting unlimited plans that aren't truly unlimited.
"The other day, I looked up the word unlimited in the dictionary. Nowhere in the definition did I see words like metering, overage, or throttling, which is code for slowing you down. Only Sprint gives you true unlimited calling, texting, surfing, TV, and navigation on all phones," Hesse said in a new TV ad.
According to Bill Morgan, Sprint's senior VP of Corporate Marketing, wireless companies "continually attempt to create confusion in the mind of the consumer by talking about 'unlimited' plans that are not truly unlimited on their networks." He's referring to the strings attached to most unlimited plans. AT&T, for example, offers an unlimited calling and texting plan, but limits data usage to 2GB. Both Verizon and T-Mobile advertise unlimited data plans, but the former throttles usage for the top 5 percent of users, while the latter throttles after 5GB of use.
What Sprint's doing here is going on record as saying, 'Hey, we're not doing any of those things and we never will,' just not in so many words. It's an interesting move from the last of the major wireless carriers to still tout an unlimited plan that's exactly that (at least while you're on Sprint's network).
What do you think about Sprint's message? Is Sprint being fair or is it overstating the limitations of the competitions' unlimited plans?
More like this
7
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
Skilless
March 14, 2011 at 3:01pm
While working for Sprint, they consistently ranked dead-last in customer service and even as an employee, I found their customer service so bad that I wouldn't have ever used them if my services (DSL, cell phone, pager) weren't paid for. I even caught the support desk's "manager" lying 3 times in promising to resolve issues with my cell services and bills which were never resolved and ended up suing my own employer for...not to mention I'm currently a member of 2 pending class action law suits against Sprint (I'm no longer employed there)...
Anyway, as jaded as I am towards Sprint, I have to admit that this is a refreshing change in the industry to see them adhering to truth in marketing, if they do indeed have no limitation to their bandwidth usage.
mesiah
March 14, 2011 at 11:49pm
I left sprint about 10 years ago because of their terrible customer service. I switched back to sprint a little over a year ago and haven't regreted it in the slightest. A lot of things have changed in 10 years. They went from being dead last in customer service to pulling dead even with verizon which is almost always first. Their pricing can't be touched. the plans really are unlimited. And I have had no trouble with customer service or billing. I couldn't be happier.
Eoraptor
March 14, 2011 at 1:03pm
Well more power to Sprint!
They currently are ranking near the bottom for customer base, but by playing it straight up like this and saying "hey, we're not yanking your chain here" hopefully will start drawing them more customers.
NoCtrl
March 14, 2011 at 11:43am
Advertisements for anything unlimited or free always seem to have limits and costs. Unlimited until you get dropped for reaching some unknown limit. Free except you have to pay for shipping and handling. The use of unlimited and free have been misused a lot for years.
blkpanthr
March 14, 2011 at 8:45am
Ive been with sprint for over 10 years. I used to be mad because they had crap phones, but their plans were cheaper than anyone elses.
Now they have some of the best phones, and no-one can touch their plan pricing.
I see no reason for anyone to use another carrier.
I just wish i could get my home internet from them too. Stupid com-crap.
lol
Jer Stryker
March 14, 2011 at 8:35am
I was a happy lifelong (as long as I've had a cell phone anyway) Cellular One/Cingluar/AT&T customer, but when I was ready for that smart phone last fall, I had to leave. AT&T started putting out their tiered data plans, and their only decent smart phone was the iPhone (no thanks).
Sprint had a better phone (Epic 4G) and the best wireless plan I've ever been on. All that usage info on my bill is simply academic now. My friends who got the Galaxy on other carriers are still counting their texts, minutes, and kilobytes. I get to actually USE my phone!
cibertek
March 14, 2011 at 7:03am
I think its about time there was a class-action against at least one of them. With any other service or industry, "unlimited" means UNLIMITED! its amazint that these cell companies get away with it!
@cibertek
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy2 days 3 hours ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj2 days 3 hours ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E4 days 1 hour ago
