Sprint has renamed and changed some of the features of its unlimited data plan. iPhone users now have a choice between paying more or getting less.
It’s not all bad news. There’s 50 percent more tethering data in a new top-tier plan, and the TIDAL music streaming service has been added.
This new Unlimited Plus one costs $70 a month, a $10 increase over the carrier’s previous unlimited offering. It includes 15GB of mobile hotspot data at 4G LTE speeds, up 5GB. After this threshold, speed is cut to 3G, according to Sprint.
The renamed Unlimited Basic plan is still $60 a month. It offers just 500MB of full-speed tethering data before throttling kicks in, not 10GB as this plan used to offer.
Although subscribers have no limit on how much data they can download and upload, Sprint warns “those who have used more than 23 GB in their current bill cycle may experience slower data speeds during times or in places where the network is more congested.” This is similar to its rivals’ unlimited plans.
Before signing up for either of these, be aware that a recent study ranked Sprint a distant fourth when comparing the Big Four wireless carriers.
Sprint unlimited plan extra perks
Both Sprint’s unlimited service plans include free access to Hulu (with commercials). The “Plus” plan can display all video at 1080p, while the “Basic” one throttles all video to 480p.
Naturally, each of these plans comes with unlimited talk and text. That’s also true when roaming in Canada and Mexico. The “Plus” plan included 10GB of 4G data when in either of these countries, and the “Basic” plan has half that much.
Adding more lines to each plan decreases the rate for each one. With five, the cost per line for the more expensive option is $42, and the other is $32.
Sprint isn’t the only carrier tinkering with its wireless service plans. Verizon just created a new top tier to its unlimited data plans.
