Editor’s Note: Wireless operators are a busy bunch, and as such RCR Wireless News will attempt to gather some of the important announcements that may slip through the cracks from the world’s largest carriers in a weekly wrap-up. Enjoy!
–Sprint last week “retired” its four-month-old One Up device financing plan on the heels of rolling out its new “Framily” plan offer.
Sprint initiated the One Up program last September following similar device financing launches from rivals. The Sprint plan allowed customers to pay for an “eligible” smartphone or tablet over a 24-month term, or trade in that device at the 12-month point for a new device and corresponding new payments. As part of the launch, customers that selected the device financing option for one of the carrier’s My Way or My All-in plans would see their monthly rate plans reduced by $15 per month resulting in unlimited services for $65 per month.
Sprint noted that customers that signed up for the One Up program before its termination on Jan. 9 would be able to keep the offer, though service discount would cease after their next upgrade or if they change from the My Way or My All-in plans.
Sprint’s Framily plans target multi-line users, providing a per-line discount connected to the number of lines that customer has on a single account. For one line of service, new Sprint customers pay $55 per month per line for unlimited talk, text and one gigabyte of data. For each additional new Sprint customer that joins the account the cost per person goes down $5 per month up to a maximum monthly discount of $30 per line. If the account has at least seven people, all lines would pay $25 per month per line. Customers can also add unlimited data to any one line for an extra $20 per month.
New customers signing up to the plan will be required to either pay full price upfront for their device or select Sprint’s new Easy Pay device payment plan that spreads the cost over 24 months. New customers can also activate any existing Sprint device and forgo the pricing models.
–Regional wireless operator C Spire announced the launch of a hosted Wi-Fi service at Jackson Prep High School in Flowood, Miss. The service was launched as part of the carrier’s Education Revolution initiative and included more than 100 access points across the campus.
The network also offers what it termed “TeacherView,” which is an application for teachers that allows them to “see, manage and control the students’ connection status instantly and seamlessly. Teachers can adjust connectivity based on the curriculum and plan for the day. For example, they can enable access to Internet resources for class time use and disable at testing time.”
–AT&T announced it has signed a deal with with NBC Universal to again provide networking solutions delivering high-definition coverage of the Sochi Olympic Winter Games. AT&T noted this was the ninth consecutive time it has had this arrangement with NBC Universal.
AT&T said its networking services will allow NBC Universal to share content across multiple screens and devices. The telecommunications provider said it expects network speed needs will be up to 20 gigabytes per second for the games, compared with 15 Gbps required for the London Olympic games in 2012.
AT&T also reported that it was working with the Unites States Olympics Committee on a Team USA Guide application that “will include information on dates and times of each event as well as venue or time changes, providing a schedule/logistics view of departure times and assists with event tickets for friends, family and guests, and maps of the Olympic Village and the surrounding area.”
The USOC will also use a separate AT&T custom application to manage voice and data usage on their mobile phones during the Winter Games.
–Boost Mobile began offering Motorola’s Moto G device this week, providing the Android-powered smartphone for $130 without a contract. The device is compatible with the carrier’s Monthly Unlimited plan, that begins at $55 per month, but drops $5 per month for every six on-time payments down to a minimum of $40 per month. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next drop in monthly fees.
One unique aspect of the device is that it comes pre-loaded with the free NextRadio application that allow for streaming FM radio channels to the device through a built-in FM receiver. The service does not tap into the device’s Internet connection, which reduces traffic across the network as well as reducing battery usage. Boost relies on parent company Sprint for its cellular connectivity.
Additional carrier news can be found on the RCR Wireless News “Carriers” page.
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