Sprint Adjusts "Premier" Plans to Silver and Gold Tiers Effective 4/1/2011

Wednesday, 09 February 2011 00:37


Sprint's two year old "Sprint Premier" program, which provides special benefits for customers whose accounts meet certain criteria, has now grown large enough that they've decided to update it as a two-tiered program with silver and gold levels. This change will go into effect on 4/1/2011 and customers can qualify for either gold or silver tiers based on their monthly bills and time with Sprint. Premier account status allows customers to save money on on accessories, earn free tickets and trips under Sprint's "random acts of kindness", and enjoy the option to buy new Sprint products early and more!

As of April 1st, to qualify for a Sprint premier account you must meet the following critera:

Premier Gold Customers:
  • Maintain a 3-month average of at least $89.99 for individual plans, or
  • Maintain a 3-month average of at least $169.99 for shared plans, or
  • Have been a Sprint customer for 10 years or more.

Premier Silver Customers:
  • Maintain a 3-month average of at least $69.99 - $89.98 for individual plans, or
  • Maintain a 3-month average of at least $99.99 - $169.98 for shared plans
  • Customers that have been a Sprint customer for 10 years or more will automatically be upgraded to gold

The difference between the two tiers is that gold members will receive an annual upgrade benefit while silver members will have to wait for additional upgrade discounts; the other benefits are identical between gold/silver members. You can find all the details here - Click to read Sprint Premier FAQ
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Sprint Offers 4G WiMAX International Roaming with Real Unlimited Data

Wednesday, 02 February 2011 22:54

Sprint has announced they'll be the first US carrier to offer an international 4G roaming option. This will allow Sprint customers traveling to Jamaica or Taiwan to get online by connecting to Digicel or Global Mobile's 4G WiMAX networks, while using their existing Sprint 3G/4G device. This international plan will be available for $15 per day and allow customers access to unlimited 4G data. The service will not cover voice and will be primarily designed for devices like the Sierra 250U and Franklin U600 wireless data modems. More companies are anticipated to join the international roaming agreements in the future, although Sprint hasn't given a specific time frame.  
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Verizon Officially Adds Mac OS X Support for UML290

Monday, 31 January 2011 20:43
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UML290 Mac OS X Support

Verizon has finally released a version of VZAccess Manager that adds official support for the UML290 3G/4G LTE USB modem! VZAccess Manager 7.2.4 (2534b) which adds UML290 support requires Mac OS X 10.4 or newer & requires an intel processor.

UML290 Mac OS X Speed Test

We previously posted a workaround that allowed Mac OS X users to use their UML290 with their Macs using the Apple buillt-in WWAN support, but this workaround crippled speeds to about 3-5mbit/sec as it used generic drivers that wouldn't allow the device to operate at its full capabilities. As you can see from our speed test results, the latest version of VZAccess Manager that adds UML290 support for the Mac allows the UML290 to operate at full speed when connected to a 4G network! We're seeing average speeds of 15mbit/sec downloads in the Chicago area currently!

If you already own a UML290, you will need the latest version of VZAccess Manager for official Mac OS X support.

Order the Verizon UML290 3G/4G USB Modem from 3Gstore.com

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Qualcomm: Snapdragon chip with LTE modem to sample later this year

Monday, 31 January 2011 15:36
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Qualcomm: Snapdragon chip with LTE modem to sample later this year

 

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Qualcomm said later this year it will begin shipping samples of its next-generation tablet and smartphone chip, which promises to include an LTE modem, be faster and more power efficient.

During the chip maker's earnings conference call last week, Executive Vice President Steve Mollenkopf said the new Snapdragon MSM8960 dual-core chip will be based on a new architecture that is made to deliver five times faster performance and use 75 percent less power than the architecture powering the current generation of Snapdragon chips. It also will include multi-mode 3G/LTE modems.

The company will share more details about the new chip and architecture at the upcoming Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona, Feb. 14 to 17.

Qualcomm said that some 150 devices with Snapdragon chips are under development, including HTC's upcoming Thunderbolt smartphone. This new dual-core chip is part of the design for 60 devices, including tablets and smartphones.

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Sprint 4G Now Offers International 4G Roaming

Monday, 31 January 2011 14:38
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Sprint Becomes First National Wireless Carrier in U.S. to Offer International 4G Roaming 

 

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -  January 31, 2011 - Sprint today announced that customers traveling abroad now have roaming access to 4G networks offered by Digicel in Jamaica and Global Mobile in Taiwan. Select Sprint 4G devices that operate with the Sprint SmartViewSM Connection Manager will automatically detect the Digicel and Global Mobile networks, giving customers the option to connect and roam with an unlimited, 24-hour daypass for $14.99 excluding surcharges and taxes.

“Sprint has partnered with Digicel and Global Mobile to further enhance the global 4G ecosystem with services that empower travelers on the go,” said Todd Rowley, vice president-Sprint 4G. “Over the years, we’ve built a robust ecosystem of partners that dwarves any other 4G ecosystem available today and as the first U.S. wireless carrier to launch international 4G roaming we’ve clearly demonstrated our leadership.”

The Sprint SmartView Connection Manager allows users to create a high-speed Internet connection for their computer anywhere on the Sprint 3G or 4G networks and now on compatible international 4G networks with a 4G-enabled Mobile Broadband Device, such as the Sprint 3G/4G U600 USB Modem. Sprint customers traveling to Jamaica and Taiwan will be able to access the Digicel and Global Mobile 4G networks for mobile downloads, video-chat capabilities and turbo-charged Web browsing at 4G speeds.

“Digicel is proud to have the first and only 4G network in Jamaica,” said Mark Linehan, CEO, Digicel Jamaica. “We look forward to welcoming Sprint customers and are positive that they will delight in roaming with Jamaica’s fastest wireless broadband.”

“We are excited to be Sprint’s first 4G roaming partner in Asia and looking forward to extending this alliance to our partners around the world,” said Rosemary W. Ho, CEO of Global Mobile. “As the leading 4G broadband operator in Taiwan, Global Mobile is committed to bring the most innovative service such as carrier-grade VOIP and mobile TV to our customers. I want to welcome our international roaming customers to experience the same innovative quadruple play service offering enjoyed by our customers.”

Sprint 4G can be found in 71 markets1 across the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network.

 

LG VL600 Router Info

Friday, 28 January 2011 00:34


Verizon officially launched their 4G LTE network in Dec, 2010 offering two choices to access the latest network, the LG VL600 and Pantech UML290. As with any new modem, users were eager to find out about router compatibility for both devices. Shortly after the launch, the UML290 was officially supported by the Nexaira BC2 and Cradlepoint CTR35 routers and could be used with the Cradlepoint CTR500, MBR1000 and MBR1200 with an unofficially supported beta firmware. Unfortunately for LG VL600 users, neither Cradlepoint nor any other router manufacturer has provided a firmware release that allows the VL600 to be used with any router.

VL600 users may not have to wait much longer - Cradlepoint is planning to include support for the VL600 in their next firmware release, which is scheduled to be made available in approximately late February. This release will likely cover the CTR35, CTR500, MBR1000, and MBR1200 routers.

PLEASE NOTE: This date is subject to change, as are the specific routers that will support the VL600. If you'd like to be notified when router support is added for the LG VL600, please fill out this form: Notify me when the LG VL600 receives router support
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Verizon to Patch VL600 4G LTE Modem, add Mac Support in February

Wednesday, 26 January 2011 00:41

According to Electronista, Verizon said they'd be updating their LG VL600 4G modem to give Mac users official LTE support. Last month we wrote an article about an unofficial fix for Mac users to get their Pantech UML290 online, but the workaround didn't work for the VL600. In addition to providing Mac support, this update should improve the performance and reliability of the VL600 and is slated for release sometime in February according to a spokesperson from PhoneScoop. This update may coincide with the launch of the upcoming MiFi 4510L 4G hotspot that should be launched later this year.
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