CHARGED by Sprint for using 5350 as modem????

[gham1234]

Hey guys,

I have the Sprint PCS Vision plan, which I have hardly used at all (6 minutes ) with my laptop. Because I am still having problems using my LG5350 as a modem with it. Anyway, I checked my Sprint bill online and it shows 6 minutes under the following category:

CASUAL USE PCS WIRELESS WEB MINUTES

Why am I getting charged for this. I actually couldn't connect my phone for more than 2 minutes at a time. This is HARDLY abusive use. The only thing I can think of is at one point I dialed #932 and one other one but never could connect as far as i know b/c it returned an error saying my username and PW were incorrect.

Anyone know anything about this? Are we now not able to use our phones as laptop modems even in the most well-intentioned and minimal use????

[sheureka]

It would be for dialing into the 2G "wireless web" network, so you must have connected on those two calls at least long enough that the system picked it up. Dialing anything other than #777 (3G) will cost 39 cents a minute and use your minutes. - sheureka

[nlk10010]

gham1234:

I don't know if this is the same thing but I just got my bill and was charged for "Extra Minutes" on the Wireless Web (OK, so it's only one extra minute @.39, but it's the principle). I couldn't figure out WHAT was going on because I use the Treo for ALL my data stuff through Vision and was never charged this before. Then I looked at the number called which incurred the charge and it was a program I was using on the Treo to send a Fax to my fax machine. I guess they can tell that it's a data call rather than a voice one and that of course it wasn't through Vision.

Maybe my experience will shed light on your problem. I really don't think it's the dreaded "tethered charge" (I mean, it's only six minutes and I don't think they care about that kind of use), but what do I know. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Good Luck in finding out what's up.

=NLK=

[sheureka]

Originally posted by: sheureka
It would be for dialing into the 2G "wireless web" network, so you must have connected on those two calls at least long enough that the system picked it up. Dialing anything other than #777 (3G) will cost 39 cents a minute and use your minutes. - sheureka

I just looked at Sprint's new TOS, and here's what it says about "wireless web" calls.

For data calls (including Wireless Web and Voice Portal calls) that are attempted, but not completed, you are charged for the time during which the network attempts to connect the call.

So it was those two calls. By the way, the new TOS says nothing about using your Vision enabled phone as a modem. I think Sprint has given up. - sheureka [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

[SPRINTPCSGUY2002]

It's not a Tethered charge man, get over it.

Think of it this way:

Your using your phone as a modem for your laptop. You bring up you AOL dialer program, and have it intruct your phone to DIAL into your AOL #. This will cause you to be charge 39 cents per minute like the old 2G phones.

Now if you had just had your phone connect the the Sprint Vision server by having a dialing program dial #777 Then it would have been looked on as a Vision data session.

[gospelmidi]

I just talked to a Sprint rep while reviving my defunct account. She said that my PCS Vision account covers data calls to other dialup numbers as well as #777, although Sprint only provides tech support for #777. I think I should have gotten it in writing...

[gospelmidi]

I called again and asked, only to be told the same thing. Third party calls are not billed if I have PCS Vision.

Then I called Billing, and the manager on duty says that even if I have PCS Vision, third party (not #777) data calls are billed at .02/kb.

You have to dig with these people. First level people don't know.

[budney]

gospelmidi - I would agree with you for the most part. But the manager you talked to wasn't correct either. If you connect with any other number other than #777 you will be charged $0.39 a minute & will also deduct from your minutes. This is because you are not using Vision, but the older wireless web. I believe you can add the wireless web to your account ($5), which will cancel the $0.39 charge. I am not sure if you can add it to your account, if you don't have a old 2G wireless web capiable phone on your account.

[ductaper60]

I doubt this is true in all markets, but as of this week, my Sprint rep (I sell Sprint phones) told me that the system is not configured to charge for extra usage. The phones are not supposed to be used as modems, but if they are, they'll be charged overage rates ($.01/KB vision, $.39/minute wireless web) this is regardless of unlimited vision or wireless web. If you are getting charged, that is why. If you are not, beware, they may change it at any time and they will not remove excessive charges from your bill. hope this helps