RSSSprint Nextel's iDEN wireless gets $50-per-month plan
By Jacqueline Emigh | Published January 19, 2009, 5:28 PM
All of a sudden, iDEN is showing a surge in activity with the rollout of a $50-per-month unlimited calling plan from Sprint-owned Boost Mobile and the revelation of a $2 billion US government funding bid by Sprint.
First developed by Motorola back in the mid-1990s, later supported by Nextel, and then inherited by Sprint, iDEN is still used by emergency responders, along with dwindling numbers of other subscribers. The technology combines cell phones with trunked radios.
Since its buyout of Nextel, Sprint has been struggling with integrating iDEN into a wireless services line-up that has also included its own CDMA network and 4G WiMAX holdings recently spun off to a Clearwire joint venture. Nextel subscribers are down by about one-third since the acquisition, according to some accounts.
But on Monday, Boost Mobile -- "a division of Sprint Corp. that offers wireless phones an services with no contracts, credit checks or activation fees" -- unveiled a new unlimited calling, text, Web and push-to-talk plan for iDEN priced at $50 per month.
Meanwhile, it came to light last Friday that Sprint sent a letter to President-Elect Barack Obama's transition team earlier this month requesting $2 billion in funding for a revamped nationwide first responders' network.
Sprint's new $50 per month prepaid plan for iDEN is set to go live on January 22, and it is reportedly tailored to consumers facing tough economic times. Up to now, Boost has offered an iDEN plan priced at $70 per month -- including 600 daytime minutes and unlimited night and weekend access -- along with a $70 per month plan in "select markets" for CDMA.
MetroPCS Communications Inc. and Leap Wireless International Inc. -- which also offer no-contract, unlimited calling plans -- both thrived during the fourth quarter of 2008, attributing their strong financial results to users wanting to get a firmer grip on their wireless spending.
Along with the $50 plan, Sprint also announced that it will introduce new phones, including a candy-bar device and possibly a smartphone.
Sprint recently said that its edition of RIM's BlackBerry Curve will run specifically on the Nextel portion of its network.
On its Web site, Sprint has now announced that Tim Donahue, VP of marketing for iDEN, and John Tudhope, director of product commercialization, will conduct a chat with users on its Buzz About Wireless blog. In the chat session on January 21, the iDEN execs will be fielding questions about "Nextel Direct Connect, new products, applications and iDEN network performance."
In their letter to the Obama transition team on January 6, though, Sprint Nextel execs specifically asked for funding for a $2 billion emergency network to help first responders communicate better during disasters. Sprint's funding proposal calls for 100 satellite-based light trucks for emergency response, along with at least 100,000 mobile handsets and equipment at up to 40 pre-selected sites.
I am one of the most well-known wireless leaders in Northern California providing wireless solutions for corporate accounts. The difference between my company and everyone else is my exceptional vision and leadership especially on the B2B side. Without sacrificing quality, integrity, and customer service, my abilities have gained me the knowledge and expertise to win numerous awards including top seller award for Northern California from a variety of wireless carriers. Having said that, I was approached by Nextel in 2002 to become one of their B2B Authorized Representatives as a result of my success from previous years. With my exceeding success through the B2B channel, Nextel approached me to do a joint venture on launching new retail locations in the Northern California market since there was no strong retail presence. With knowledge, experience, and expertise I put together one of the most dynamic teams of highly motivated and well qualified communication consultants. In 2003, my ex-colleague and dear friend was invited to join in this new vision. I launched eight locations in Northern California and I was invited to launch new locations in Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota. In 2005, when the merger with Sprint occurred, the new management team: Mark Sadighian, Paul Harris, and Dennis McSweeney no longer shared the vision that Nextel had with my company. At the same time I found out that my partner was embezzling money and started a new wireless company with another carrier. When I approached Mark Sadighian with my new found news, the advise that I received was to separate our partnership and for me to start a new company under a new name. I was granted an exclusive dealer contract with Sprint/Nextel and their service center. Two months into my new company, I submitted six new retail locations that were denied to me for expansion, but at the same time were handed to someone else. Sprint/Nextel set me up for failure, after I invested hundred of thousands of dollars into the new company. Sprint/Nextel decided at that point not to support me in my visions, ideas, and ventures. As a result, I am seeking other dealers that have had a similar experience as me for a class action lawsuit. Before I posted my story online, I requested the immediate assistance from the CEO of Sprint, Daniel Hesse. He never responded to any of my emails, and at this point left me with no choice, but to put together a class action lawsuit for Authorized Dealers. I will not stop until my losses are compensated. If you are interested in contacting me with any questions, concerns, or to assist me in participating in this class action lawsuit please email me at: sprintactionlawsuit@gmail.com or visit www.nextel.bz
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|Hey at least Sprint is trying something to stop the hemeraging. I think $50 for everything is not bad, I wish AT&T had something for a family plan that was cheaper :) dham IPHONE data costs $30 and I barely use it except for email.
I left them 6 years ago when they couldn't help with a simple address book migration between phones and lost my contacts. Also I use to call support and they were helpless and you can tell they just didn't care. My dad was a loyal customer with sprint for 10 years and they overbilled him for 2 months in a row and they wouldn't credit the account even though it was their fault.
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|Since I used to work for Boost Mobile, running on the iDEN this is a very fast product when it's actually up and not down. As for this plan, interesting enough this plan was grandfathered and users were pushed or downgraded to other plans kind of like a beta plan. It's interesting for me to see this plan resurrected, it makes sense considering the economic decline as everyone refers to these days. Now, on another note this plan includes data access. These motorola phones allow you to download java apps including the mail app that is a free download from the sprint store to send, receive and write email from your mail servers quickly and freely. Yep, I enjoyed streaming Gmail even when i had a low balance. it was unlimited data. Say what you well about prepaid, but once you learn the loopholes of the system the sky is the limit. Enjoy!
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|An unlimited calling, text, Web and push-to-talk $50 plan is OK. Add web access and it becomes a tremendous product/service if it were priced at $50 a month
Now, if we can get the capabilities and limitations.
You can find them at: http://plans.boostmobile.com/unlimited.aspx
Oh, and I dare you to call Sprint-Nextel and ask them about the service. And for even more fun, mention that it is administered by Boost Mobile and just try to get past answering questions about your phone!
(Hint: Just follow the link and download the PDF)
Aside from the lousy call quality to their call centers, try to find anyone with a functional IQ over 15! I have a much better understanding as to why Sprint has received such low cust sat rating! Wow!
I still think that the first major 3G/4G provider to make such a move to provide an unlimited calling, text, Web and push-to-talk $50 plan will scoop and cannibalize the other carriers.
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|Nextel started it, iDen came out before iPod or iPhone, or any other i product.
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|...As well as the Motorola i776, i576, i880, i580, i335, i920, Blackberry 7100i... and too many others to note.
Notice a trend here... that was the point... ;-)
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|So now everything begins with "i".
Go ifigure.
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