Very disappointed with Sprint (updated)

October 27, 2009

I have a great plan with Sprint. $30 / month gets me unlimited data, unlimited text, 500 minutes, free nights and weekends starting at 7pm, and free calls within the Sprint network. No other provider offers a plan like that; actually Sprint doesn't even offer this plan anymore!

But the phones are terrible when compared to an iPhone or Android. I think Sprint has (or is going to launch soon) an Android phone but like the Palm Pre it will only work on Sprint's "Simply Everything" plans which are much more expensive. To get the exact plan I have now but compatible with decent phones I'd have to pay $70 / month. At that point I might as well just get an iPhone.

Today Google added the ability to use call forwarding to let Google Voice control voicemail for your existing number. This would be extremely useful. But again Sprint comes up short. Sprint charges $0.20 / minute for call forwarding. Each voicemail would cost me a minimum of $0.20 and they refused to waive the fee when I called. AFAIK no other provider charges this fee.

I'd bite the bullet and just pay the cancellation fee but it's $200. New customers get a prorated fee which would put me under $50; I'd still feel bad about it but I'd probably pay that much to switch. Instead I'm just patiently waiting.

Update: Some friends let me know that Sprint plans to remove the fee. Sounds good to me. But they might want to spread this information to the reps/managers; those I spoke to said the fees were here to stay.