TMCnet Feature Free eNews Subscription
October 06, 2011

Sprint to Begin Offering iPhones - and Unlimited Data Plans

By Tracey E. Schelmetic, TMCnet Contributor

Hankering for an iPhone (News - Alert) 4S but longing for the nearly forgotten days of unlimited data? Never fear.



Wireless carrier Sprint Nextel Corp. announced today that it will be carrying the iPhone 4S (as well as the iPhone 4) and it will be offering that now-rare phenomenon of wireless antiquity: the all you can eat data plan, the Associated Press (News - Alert) is reporting this morning. AT&T, the iPhone's first carrier, and Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless, its second, both discontinued their unlimited data plans for new subscribers last year.

Sprint is clearly hoping that the last unlimited data plan from a major U.S. carrier will tempt iPhone fans away from its bigger competitors.

Earlier this week, Apple confirmed that Sprint would sell the iPhone 4S when it launches on October 14, but it was unclear at that time if the carrier would also get the older model. Sprint (News - Alert) began taking orders for the existing iPhone 4 today from customers willing to plunk down $100. It will take orders for the $200 iPhone 4S, which has a faster processor and more memory, starting tomorrow (Friday), reports the AP.

Sprint is offering new iPhone customers its standard smartphone plans, which include unlimited data use. The wireless carrier provided All Things Digital with details about the plans being offered to new iPhone customers.

“We will be offering the benefit of our unlimited plans that start at just $69.99,” said Sprint spokeswoman Michelle Leff Mermelstein.

For the $69.99 plan, subscribers get unlimited data plus 450 voice minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling. Unlimited calling and data will set you back $99.99 a month. (All Things Digital (News - Alert) notes that those prices don’t include a $10 per month surcharge for smartphones, so iPhone users will really be paying $79.99 and $109.99 for their unlimited plans).




Tracey Schelmetic is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Tracey's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell
» More TMCnet Feature Articles
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]
SHARE THIS ARTICLE

LATEST TMCNET ARTICLES

» More TMCnet Feature Articles