Sprint offers WiMAX customers a way out ETF-free
If you’ve still got an active WiMAX device on your Sprint account, like the original HTC EVO 4G or EVO 3D, then you might be able to get out of your contract without paying your ETF. Sprint has been notifying WiMAX customers about a change to their contracts, encouraging customers to transition to a 4G LTE device, but also offering an out.
This change apparently went into effect May 22, and gives customers several options once WiMAX service is officially decommissioned in their service areas:
- Continue using their devices without access to WiMAX.
- Transition to Sprint’s LTE network with a new device, with no contract extension.
- Deactivate service with no early termination fee.
Here’s the full text of the changes:
New Agreements on the Sprint 4G (WiMAX) Network: Your Service on a device activated on the Sprint 4G (WiMAX) Network may require a new one or two-year Agreement per line. Sprint expressly reserves the right to migrate your Service during this Agreement term from the Sprint 4G (WiMAX) Network to the Sprint 4G LTE network to complete your Agreement term. Reasonable advance notice of the Service change will be provided to impacted customers, who can then select one of the following options: (a) Choose to complete the Agreement term using your existing device without 4G (WiMAX) capability (b) Elect to complete the Agreement term by contacting us after receiving notice from Sprint to transition to the Sprint 4G LTE network with no additional term commitment required (Transition Option) (c) Deactivate service. Deactivations because of this Service change will not result in an Early Termination Fee (ETF). Transition Option: If you select the Transition Option, you will receive a free standard Sprint LTE capable device and can maintain your existing Service plan, if available. During the Agreement term, Sprint may provide other offers that are separate from the Transition Option, and these offers will be subject to a new two-year Agreement per line.
Little is known definitively about new device pricing if customers choose an LTE device, although some are reporting that the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 do count as “standard” LTE devices. In any case, it certainly seems like Sprint is getting ready to move ahead – with or without Clearwire.
For those of you still using a WiMAX device, what do you plan on doing once it’s time to make up your mind?
[S4GRU] Thanks, Simon, Bill, and Jorge!
