HTC EVO 4G LTE launches on 6/2

Looks like they beat me to the punch before I had a chance to post, but now we know :)

• On 6/2/12 HTC EVO 4G LTE launches with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for $199.99.


• It will be available in all retail channels including www.sprint.com and 1-800-SPRINT1.


• Sprint retail stores will operate on regular business hours.


• Employee programs (EWD/SWAC) will not launch on 6/2

Weekly Playbook Topics - 6/1

Here's the hot topics from the upcoming 6/1 Playbook - since we are all still waiting on a launch date for the EVO LTE, which of these (if any) interests you guys, that you want more info on? Some of these I've covered before, some are still pretty new.

• 6/1/12 - 6/11/12: iDEN Network Shutdown Notice


• 7/1/12: Sprint will no longer add new iDEN accounts


• 5/25/12 - 6/30/12: Reactive $0 Transition Offer for iDEN to CDMA Migrations


• Sprint® Direct Connect®


• KYOCERA DuraXT - launches 6/10/12


• Lenovo Ideapad™ S205s - 6/10/12 in all channels


• 6/10/12: New FleetSafer® Mobile for CL Customers


• Sprint Zone 4.0 launches on HTC EVO 4G LTE


• 6/17/12: TEP Tiered MRC and Deductibles


• Sprint BIZ 360


• 6/4/12: Welcome Calls reinstated

Sprint gives Boost Mobile an 'Update' on HTC EVO Design 4G Delay

While Sprint has so far been super quiet to it's own direct customers so far on the full launch day for the HTC EVO 4G LTE, this message just went out to the Boost Mobile care reps about the HTC EVO Design 4G:

Use the approved sound bite below to address any questions about the availability of this device:

“You may be aware that some shipments of HTC devices had been temporarily delayed due to U.S. Customs which may briefly delay the initial availability of the HTC EVO Design 4G™. These issues have now been resolved and we expect product will start flowing shortly. We expect to have devices in dealer doors as soon as next week. To access the latest news and device information, visit www.boostmobile.com or Boost on Facebook where we’ll be providing updates. Thank you for your interest and continued patience.”

iDen/Nextel service to cease on 6/30/2013

iDen(Nextel) gets it's execution date. Today, Sprint announced plans to transition business and government customers from its iDEN (2G) Nextel National Network onto Sprint Direct Connect. Sprint also announced plans to cease service on the iDEN Nextel National Network as early as 6/30/13 as part of our Network Vision plan.

Beginning 6/1/12, Sprint will send written notices to business and government customers regarding the iDEN Nextel National Network shutdown.

Customer notification of the shut down along with migration offers will continue over the next year as the iDEN shutdown draws closer.

• Sprint has already discontinued selling iDEN devices in certain channels.


• It will discontinue selling iDEN devices in all channels and all brands carrying iDEN Nextel products over the next several months.


• Sprint will continue to support customers with iDEN devices during the network transition and will work with those customers to ease their transition to Sprint’s CDMA service.


• Tower retuning details available at www.sprint.com/nextelnetwork

SVD - Simultaneous Voice & Data on LTE Phones

This is nothing new to most early-adopters of the HTC EVO 4G LTE, however there are some details released below that may be of interest - such as it's obviously not guaranteed, and it does require certain conditions to work properly.

• Sprint 4G LTE phones can acheive Simultaneous Voice and Data (SVD) when connected to a WiFi router.


• They may also achieve SVD when connected to Sprint’s LTE or CDMA networks.

• Sprint 4G LTE phone customers may not see a consistent SVD experience on Sprint’s networks based on numerous conditions.


• SVD should not be guaranteed to our external customers.


• SVDO is possible on Sprint’s LTE phones/handsets, without assistance of LTE or WiFi, utilizing 1x and DO.


• Works only in optimal network conditions.


• Experience not consistent with SVDO; in weaker coverage, voice will take sole priority.

• SVD can be achieved with either LTE or WiFi coverage.


• CDMA + LTE, or CDMA + WiFi should be the primary combinations to achieve simultaneous voice and data, as with previous phones/handsets.


• If utilizing SVDO, the experience will vary, however, if in optimal conditions data speed will be consistent with EvDO speeds.

Friday AM Update on the HTC EVO 4G LTE

8AM

MANY people are now playing with their new EVO LTE - but some are still waiting. Despite the lack of internal updates, here's what is known as far as delivery/pickup dates.

Also.. if you're wondering what that 2nd package is that you're receiving - it's a free Gel Case for your new HTC EVO 4G LTE! Sprint's way to say 'sorry for the delay'!

Sprint:
Online orders are mostly all delivered, and in-store pre-orders should be arriving at some point today. There has still been no word internally on why it's taken so long to get them to our own corp stores, but the wait should be over within 24 hours according to what I'm seeing.

Best Buy:
Online orders have shipped overnight, and in-store pre-orders were able to be picked up in more stores as of yesterday

RadioShack/Target:
Pre-Orders will be arriving at most locations this morning via FedEx, and will be immediately made available for pickup for pre-orders.

Wirefly/Amazon:
I still haven't heard a definitive answer on these two 3rd party resellers. For this one, you probably have better information that I do. However, no one has yet been able to say for sure where the delay is at.

Other notes...

Late last night it was discovered that a few shipments had mismatches between the ESN(serial number) on the outside of the box, and the device inside. This was not due to Customs, but rather a labeling error from HTC. It's not a large deal, and care or webchat can clear it up for you, it will only take a few extra minutes when activating.

There is an expedited process in place for lost/damaged/not received packages... so if you get the runaround if you are having this issue, keep escalating until someone offers it.

And we still have no official launch date. The delay of this has been for a couple of reasons, the primary one being the promise to make sure that all pre-orders are available before the launch date. And this has taken a day or two longer than expected. Will we hear word of an official launch today? I'm optimistic that we will.

Remember twitter (@InsideSprintNow) is where you'll get the news first, as it's easier for me to sneak a tweet sooner than a full post for breaking news, like a launch date, as soon as it happens :)

HTC EVO 4G LTE - 5/25 Official Launch

Just as tens of thousands of you are peeking out your windows watching for the UPS truck, as your phone is out for delivery today, we have received official confirmation:

Tomorrow, Friday 5/25/12 WILL be the official national launch day for the HTC EVO 4G LTE.

UPDATED AT  AM

This has been assumed since yesterday, but could not confirm until just now.

 

Wacky Wednesday Training Video

Ah, the joys of working at Sprint.. someone referred me to this horrible video that's used in finance care training - to call attention to the danger of leaving confidential info in account notes.

After the stress of the past few days, I figure we all needed a good laugh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVF4xc2h3Qo&feature=youtu.be

Reminder: New TEP Tiers & Deductibles in June

We posted about this before (TEP Changes in June) - but wanted to remind everyone, and add a couple of details, like the fact that even if the MSRP changes, the deductible will remain the same as the initial launch. Also, anyone that buys a Tier 3 or 4 device before 6/17 will  see a $3 credit in their monthly bill from July through September (to offset the legal notice that is required for changing the price). At the new prices, is TEP worth it? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments or via twitter #TEPsprint

• Beginning 6/17/12, new Tiered TEP, ERP and Deductibles will be introduced based upon Device Standard Retail Price (SRP) at time of launch.


• A new $11 TEP Tier will be introduced to support high-end device models and the $8 TEP Tier remains in place for existing device models.


• A new $9 ERP Tier will be introduced to support high-end device models and the $5 ERP Tier remains in place for existing device models


• ESRP Fees will remain the same


• Apple iPhones are NOT eligible for TEP.

.	ERP Deductible Effective 6/17/12	Device SRP at Time of Launch	TEP Monthly Fee Effective 6/17/12	ERP Monthly Fee Effective 6/17/12	ESRP Monthly Fee Effective 6/17/12
Tier 1	$50	= $324.99	$8	$5	$4
Tier 2	$100	$325 - $549.98	$8	$5	$4
Tier 3	$150	$549.99 - $599.99	$11	$9	$4
Tier 4	$200	= $600+	$11	$9	$4
Whenever a device launches, it launches in a specific tier and remains in that tier, even if the SRP changes.

• Customers purchasing a Tier 1 or Tier 2 device models with TEP remain at the $8 Tier and device models with ERP remain at the $5 Tier.


• Customers purchasing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 new device model and add TEP or ERP before 6/17, will:
  
  
  
  • Be at the $8 Tier and then move to the $11 Tier for TEP
  
  
  • Be at the $5 Tier and then move to the $8 Tier for ERP
  
  
  • Receive multiple written notifications explaining the increase in their monthly TEP charges, ERP charges and deductibles
  
  
  • Including a postcard for TEP and ERP customers
  
  
  • Be sent a legal notification in the form of a letter by mail after 6/17 notifying them that their TEP monthly charge will be increased from $8 to $11 and ERP monthly charge will be increased from $5 to $9
  
  
  • TEP customers will see a $3 credit in their monthly bill from July through September, which will meet Sprint’s legal requirement to notify customers 90 days in advance of a price increase.
  
  
  • ERP customers will see a $4 credit in their monthly bill from July through September, which will meet Sprint’s legal requirement to notify customers 90 days in advance of a price increase.
  
  
  
  

So, you wanna buy ISN a beer?

I've always turned down donations, despite multiple requests, and the legal issues if I were to make any sort of profit. So, with that being said, I've come up with a solution! Instead of buying a beer for me, if you really want to donate something, then let's make it something that can make the ISN blog better for everyone!

If you'd like to make a donation - it will be to added together to pay for the yearly upgrade fee so I can get a premium wordpress account ($99/yr) that way I can actually customize the theme into something that is a little more friendly,and gives me extra storage space for all these cool docs! Anything that's donated that goes over the amount of 1yr of hosting, will be used to add extra space, or to pay for an additional year.

As I've said 1,000 times - I don't do this for the money, obviously. I do this because I, too, am a Sprint customer - and I enjoy it, and I feel it's needed. So PLEASE don't feel like I'm asking for a donation, because I'm not. But for those that would like to 'buy a beer' for me - you can help me get a wordpress upgrade instead :)

This is probably the one and only time I'll ever post about this, I may add a link to the sidebar for when this scrolls off the screen, but I've literally had so many requests of ways to donate, that this is the only solution that I can come up with, and one that will be beneficial to everyone!

So, if you want to 'buy ISN a beer' (aka donate to the WP Upgrade fund), you can do so here:

https://www.wepay.com/donations/inside.sprint.now



Also - I chose WePay, because after talking with them about remaining anonymous, they would be willing to fight a subpeona, and I've used them for another project before, so that helps to protect my identity :)