VisorCentral.com - 3G Upgrade for Sprint Digital Link

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Communications (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=20)
-- 3G Upgrade for Sprint Digital Link (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=25567)

Posted by swharton on 10-25-2002 11:13 PM:

Mine says 3G CDMA!!!!! So what does that mean now???

Scott Wharton

Posted by piotrek on 10-25-2002 11:19 PM:

Sorry! It is 3G not 3D. (Should have proof-read my own post.) And the label looks quite different than the one in the Quick-Start guide.

Posted by herbert42 on 10-25-2002 11:43 PM:

3g on the module

This may be completely wrong, but this is as i understand it...
after talking with sprint corporate services, it appears that there are two types of the digital link, a 3g and a non-3g. when i called (several months ago) they were selling both for the same price ($250). It may be that in dumping the entire line, the modules now released are 3g but not vision. does anyone know how to test this? granted, it says in bold type on the website that they are not vision compatable, but vision is a lot of services, is it possible that the new modules recieve the 3g download speeds while not providing the games and other junque that comes with vision. can someone test this (i've not yet gotten my module in the mail).

Posted by MarkEagle on 10-26-2002 01:36 AM:

Re: 3g on the module

quote:
Originally posted by herbert42
it appears that there are two types of the digital link, a 3g and a non-3g

The Digital Link was and is 3G compatible on the hardware level, however, it needs a software upgrade to take advantage of it. I find it hard to believe that there were ever two hardware versions.

This is from the original information released about the DL:

quote:
The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link is fully upgradeable to IS-2000 1xRTT third generation (3G) CDMA digital service. As 3G becomes available, the Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link can be software-upgraded to provide High-speed packet data (up to 153 kbps) and significantly increased standby times.

The key phrase above is can be software-upgraded. Nowhere that I have seen was this ever promised or carved in stone. As I've said before, just because something is claimed to be upgradeable doesn't mean it will be.

The way I understand it, Sprint, for whatever marketing reasons, decided not to offer the upgrade. I can only speculate that it had something to do with the ever-changing face of technology. The new 3G-enabled phones (Treo included) seem to offer a more robust package from a hardware perspective.

Was this a smart move on their part? For those of you looking for a DL upgrade, probably not. But I have to believe it came down to what they perceived to be the future of the Visor/DL combo. If Handspring isn't making any new models with Springboard slots (especially color models to replace the Prism), the lifespan of existing hardware is severely limited, hence the Treo 300, the next rung on the technology ladder (at least in terms of Handspring devices). In a year or two, we'll be hearing similar grumbling from non-OS-upgradeable Treo owners when the next hardware level is reached.

In my case, I'm not sure the Vision experience on a VDx would be a very good one, and since the Prism is no longer available...

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by Jazzer on 10-26-2002 06:31 PM:

Mark,

I understand your point but that doesn't excuse Sprint from doing the right thing. The Press Release has a legal loophole in its wording but it certainly implies an upgrade. Why else would you even bother to mention that it could be upgraded? Sprint PCS chose not to do this upgrade for whatever reason but they should do right by their customers in terms of a credit or even a free Treo.

At least, that's how I feel about it.

Posted by bern420 on 10-29-2002 09:21 PM:

Just a thought...

I'm not sure this makes sense or not, but could it be possible that Handspring and Sprint PCS really thought this Wireless Web Digital Link was going to be the best thing since marijuana, and they wouldn't be able to keep these things in stock even with a hefty $250 price tag?

Perhaps the Wireless Web Digital Link didn't sell nearly as many units as predicted at $250. Perhaps they are now giving these away for free to get them in as many hands as possible. Would it make sense that once a ton of people have this device and are using it finally, they then try to get the jonesers to pay for the 3G upgrade?

I don't know all the ins and outs of hardware or software production, marketing, or selling, so if I'm just out in left field here forgive me, and blame my parents like I do.

Posted by mpk65281 on 10-29-2002 09:59 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Ozzie21

3. The resolution will be made in 10 working business days.
4. If for any reason I decline the offer it will be solely at my option and SprintPCS will not be obligated to further deal with the matter.
5. Debbie will keep me posted on the status every 4 working business days.

Any update??

Posted by MarkEagle on 10-30-2002 12:32 AM:

Re: Just a thought...

quote:
Originally posted by bern420
Perhaps the Wireless Web Digital Link didn't sell nearly as many units as predicted at $250. Perhaps they are now giving these away for free to get them in as many hands as possible. Would it make sense that once a ton of people have this device and are using it finally, they then try to get the jonesers to pay for the 3G upgrade?

...blame my parents like I do.

Yo, mom and dad...

Nice idea, but I don't think so. If that was their intent, why wouldn't they announce the 3G upgrade and lower the price so they could still make money? The thing that puzzles me is that the DL was originally only available from Sprint, yet it's Handspring that's now giving them away... sounds like an inventory reduction to me.

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by foo fighter on 10-30-2002 08:01 PM:

Sprint backpedals on Visorphone.

Check it out:

http://news.com.com/2100-1040-963921.html?tag=fd_top

__________________
My blog: Pocketfactory

Posted by Toby on 10-30-2002 08:13 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by foo fighter
Sprint backpedals on Visorphone.

Check it out:

http://news.com.com/2100-1040-963921.html?tag=fd_top

That shouldn't be surprising at all. It fits right into Handspring's backpedaling on Springboard or RAM-based upgrades to the OS. Bottom line in the PDA world: if the device can't do what you want it to _right_now_, don't assume that it ever will, no matter what the manufactuer promises.

Posted by foo fighter on 10-30-2002 08:22 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Toby
Bottom line in the PDA world: if the device can't do what you want it to _right_now_, don't assume that it ever will, no matter what the manufactuer promises.

Does that mean I should assume the Palm Tungsten will never play MP3s? Palm swears it does...but I don't hear any sound.

__________________
My blog: Pocketfactory

Posted by Toby on 10-30-2002 08:49 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by foo fighter
Does that mean I should assume the Palm Tungsten will never play MP3s?

No, it means you shouldn't assume that Palm will ever write mp3 software (subtle difference, but it's solid). Some 3rd party might, but if Palm was going to do it, they'd have done it already.

quote:
Palm swears it does...but I don't hear any sound.

You could always record a bunch of voice memos.

Posted by Prismer2 on 10-30-2002 09:03 PM:

In the same vein, remember how Innogear promised they would provide a software upgrade to thei MiniJam MP3 module so that the MMC slots could be used for apps and data besides MP3's? That would have been so cool, one module for MP3's and extreme memory expansion! Well, that never happened, and now they are getting rid of all their Minijams at cut-rate prices.

To add insult to injury, if you ripped MP3 from your own CD's or the Internet, using a universal MMC reader/writer, the MiniJam would not play them, because you had to Hot/Synch the songs (slower than molasses in January) or use Innogear's optional (cha-ching $$) "Speedloader" MMC reader/writer. I think that had something to do with some copy protection scheme.

The moral is, always read the fine print, but don't believe any promises therein.

__________________
The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Posted by Kupe on 10-30-2002 09:35 PM:

I kind of feel bad here - I knew about Sprint going back on their word last July, but just moved on in life instead of posting it here.

I purchased a Sprint DL last April when I finally got tired of the poor Voicestream coverage/support with my Treo 180. Sprint supposedly had better coverage in the DC area so I decided to dedicate my Prism to the phone business.

I was well aware of the up coming high-speed networking (3G) from Sprint and made doubly sure that the DL would, as described on Sprint's web page (glad the CNET article popped up today to back up my story), work with the new network. A couple of months after my purchase, things headed south.

In June, Sprint's digital data network disappeared from the DC area. Initial calls resulted in assurances that it was a small, local outage. After 3 days it was described by Sprint as a router failure but it would be fixed "today or tomorrow." After 10 days of "today or tomorrow" they finally admitted (via usenet, confirmed by phone) that they were upgrading their digital data system to the new high-speed network. After 14 days of no digital data access, it was finally restored.

This raised my curiosity as to my phone's supposed compatibility, so when inquiring about compensation for lost service, I questioned them, once again, about the DL capability on the new network. The answer (on 16 July) was: The DL will not have 3G capability with Sprint's Vision. When I pointed out to them that the capability was clearly stated on their web page, they disagreed. Much to my chagrin, they were right - references to the DL's high speed data capability had been removed. Hmmm.

I just attributed it to Sprint's usual way of doing business: Lie to gain new customers, deny existing customer assertions about poor service, when forced to admit guilt, throw the customer a $35 discount bone to satisfy them. It didn't work for me this time - I moved on . . . with no early termination penalty (corporate lawyers can be quite helpful ). As a result of my experience (and a couple of other executives' experiences) our company uses Verizon as our wireless provider after making a noticeable contribution to Sprint's 78,000 customer loss last quarter!

Kupe

Posted by Ozzie21 on 11-01-2002 02:55 AM:

It was said earlier on this Thread. You get a $250 credit on your account. I had a better resolution than what they are currently doing. I got a $900 credit on my account when they replied to the letter (Attorney Letter). They wanted to calm me down (I guess). So now that the resolution has been agreed upon SprintPCS Executives. I got an additional $250 per device. Funny thing is that they didn't even want the units back. hehehehe Show where the Digital Link is going.. Knowhere... So if you had the Digital link and you activated it before the free handspring thing. They your due for $250... So call them and let them know that you have it and you wanted it because of the 3G upgrade and you will get $250.

Posted by jrwooden on 11-02-2002 01:15 PM:

I got $250 Credit on DL

Being an unhappy DL owner I logged into my account at www.sprintpcs.com yesterday and sent an e-mail to customer service asking for a $250 refund. This morning I got an email back that my account had been credited with $250 that could be used (only) toward the purchase of a new handset and that the purchase should be billed to my account to insure proper processing....

I guess I am happy..... unless somebody here convinces me otherwise

Jim

Posted by Prismer2 on 11-03-2002 05:19 AM:

Re: I got $250 Credit on DL

quote:
Originally posted by jrwooden
Being an unhappy DL owner I logged into my account at www.sprintpcs.com yesterday and sent an e-mail to customer service asking for a $250 refund. This morning I got an email back that my account had been credited with $250 that could be used (only) toward the purchase of a new handset and that the purchase should be billed to my account to insure proper processing....

I guess I am happy..... unless somebody here convinces me otherwise

Jim

Hmmm, let's see. If you believe Handspring's own propaganda (which may very well be true, not all propaganda are lies), when you are a new subscriber you get a $200 price break on a phone anyway when you activate a new contract. So instead of being perfectly happy with an upgradable (assuming the upgrade was to be free) DL, which is presumably what you wanted in the first place, Sprint now wants you to pony up the difference between what a new phone costs (full retail value I presume) and the $250 "credit", which is really only a credit if you buy a new phone. You cannot use that "credit" towards your monthly bill, and I presume you would lose that credit if you let your contract lapse and waited the requisite time to get a new subscriber credit as well of around $200. So really, what they are offering you is only $50 more than they would offer Joe Schmoe who walks in off the street!

On the other hand there is another thread on this website in which the poster describes how when he broke his own Visorphone (similar to the DL but for GSM systems), the T-Mobile customer service rep offered a credit for a new VP, rather than have the customer go through the nonsense of dropping the service and resuming it again a few months later just to get a new free VP.

Methinks something is rotten in the state of Sprintmark! Then again I could be wrong. Can you buy a new Treo or comparable phone that is equivalent to the DL, but with 3G capabilities, for that $250 credit?

Maybe it is time for you to have YOUR lawyer write a letter also! <grin> As I see it, you should get your $250 refund (at least) plus the new subscriber credit, as well as any other new subscriber specials, rebates, etc. which may be running at the time you choose your new phone.

Good luck to you!

__________________
The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Posted by jrwooden on 11-03-2002 04:22 PM:

Yeah I think they should do better, but I just started new job and getting a lawyer involed is not not in the cards ;-/

I been using the visorphone long enough that I think I can talk them out of the "new customer" discount when/if I buy a Treo 300 and the "apply" the $250 credit I have sitting in my account.

I'll then be upgraded to color (I have Handspring Platinum) and be able to sell off my existing unit & visorphone both to further defray cost of upgrade... absent a lawyer or a lot of corporate muscle I'm not sure how I would argue that I deserve more than a 100% refund of my purchase price AND getting the keep the DL module.

But, I am open to suggestions

Thanks for your comments!
Jim

Posted by dtgillis on 11-11-2002 02:05 AM:

Who stands to gain the most?

I've been enjoying my Digital Link for almost two weeks now. Even though it's kinda bulky using it with my Visor Prism, I like the "one-device" concept. I sure would like the speed advantages of 3G, at least for data.

Now why is Handspring giving the Digital Links away, while Sprint is still selling the units for $249? Okay, since Sprint is still selling the unit, it means they must continue to support the product to a certain degree. I was wondering, if enough of these Digital Links flood the market, what would prevent "someone" from charging, let's say $25, for a 3G data only software upgrade? That "someone" is the question. Would it be Airprime, Handspring, or Sprint?

Why didn't Handspring charge something, anything, for the Digital Link--$10, $30, $50? Seems rather strange to me since they've been trying to turn a profit or at least break even.

I, for one, would be willing to pay a reasonable price for an upgrade. Something MarkEagle said made me think. Has the 3G upgrade already been written? Well I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

David

Posted by mpk65281 on 11-18-2002 04:50 AM:

Credit is not for phone only

FYI, my first post-statement came and the credit applied to my monthy service (i.e. I have a negative balance) so they either put it in wrong or have no way of making it an "equipment only" credit.

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