Sprint is reportedly looking to one up its competition with an early upgrade program of its own. CNET reports that Sprint’s offer will be called One Up, and will be more similar to T-Mobile US’ Jump program than to the programs offered by AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless.
Like Jump, which started the early upgrade trend, One Up will reportedly offer customers lower service fees in addition to the opportunity to upgrade to a new device after one year. AT&T Mobility’s Next and Verizon Wireless’ Edge offer faster upgrades, but do not offer lower monthly service fees.
Like the other plans, Sprint’s One Up reportedly requires monthly payments that are based on the un-subsidized price of the device. A customer who chooses to leave Sprint before their smartphone is fully paid for would be required to pay the balance in order to keep the phone.
Some carriers have only offered their early upgrade plans to customers who are already upgrade-eligible. Sprint is said to be offerings its plan to subscribers who have been with the carrier for at least a year. Those who want to upgrade but have not been with the carrier for a year can choose its Upgrade Now program, which was already in place. That plan allows upgrades at any time, with a fee.
So far Sprint has not confirmed the One Up report, but as the only one of the four major U.S. carriers heading into the fall smartphone selling season without an early upgrade plan, it seems likely that it will launch one. The iPhone 5S and 5C come to all Sprint retail channels on September 20, and Sprint has already offered unlimited talk, text and data to new customers who sign up for its unlimited, My Way plan or My All-in plans.
Follow me on Twitter.
