Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
Posts: 3

3G Upgrade for Sprint Digital Link

Has anyone heard when or if the 3G upgrade for the Sprint Digital Link Springboard module will be released? The Airprime website FAQ says that Sprint "may" release an update. Doesn't sound like they are too sure. I bought mine with the understanding from the Press Release that it would be upgraded to 3G.

Comments anyone?

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 31

I bought mine for the same reason. I went into the Sprint PCS Service Center over the weekend and not only did they have no clue they didn't even know how to perform any diagnostics on it or know how to upgrade the software. Yes, AirPrime has said for a while that Sprint has the final say on whether or not there will be an update for the phone. Hopefully if enough of us complain they will release it soon!

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 31

This is getting a bit ridiculous. Why won't Sprint release an upgrade already??? It is even witten on AirPrime's sales sheet that it is "3G-ready" and "can be software-upgraded" when the networks are available! Well, the network IS available! Has anyone heard anything new?

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 13

Some Links and info

Just in case you need some ammo to go after SprintPCS, here's a link:

Sprint and AirPrime Deliver First Wireless CDMA Phone and Data Module for the HandspringTM VisorTM: http://www3.sprint.com/PR/CDA/PR_CD...45,6257,00.html
Includes the following:

quote:

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As Sprint PCS implements 3G technology nationwide by 2002, customers can utilize the Digital Link to enjoy a richer data experience with speeds up to 144kbps. A software upgrade for the Digital Link is planned to be available with the Sprint PCS nationwide launch of 3G mid-year, 2002.
"With the Digital Link, Sprint PCS and AirPrime have developed another first and a device that is clearly unique to the industry," said John Garcia, senior vice president of sales and distribution for Sprint PCS. "The Digital Link is the first CDMA phone module for the Handspring Visor and with the planned software upgrade in 2002 to support 3G technology, it will connect Sprint PCS customers nationwide to both clear calls and enhanced speeds."

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location:
Posts: 5

*** moderator note: please do not post email addresses, they will be removed ***

Good... Finally a place where people start to notice what SprintPCS is doing. Okay here is the deal. I have been going back in forth between the Techs at Airprime and the Tier II Data Support from SprintPCS.

This is what I got from both of them as far as the 3G Data upgrade. It is 3G voice upgradable but will not be 3G data upgraded. So where does that leave all of us with a SprintPCS Wireless Web Digital link, in the dark. I just started to complain about the upgrade, not to mention the random resets, no voicemail indicator, phone not ringing when someone calls and I have a full strength indicator, and other isssues that everyone should also bring up when you complain about the 3G Data software upgrade. As far as the bugs there was suppose to be a software update, from what I was told, but its being tested. I mean lets get serious. Who better to test those software upgrades than all of us that really use the damm thing.

Well, back to the 3G data upgrade. Like I said I just started to complain. Here are a few people I called, maybe everyone that sees this should call these people at corporate and complain about the SprintPCS Wireless Web Digital Link not being upgraded to 3G data as announced worldwide.

Corporate Level
Ronda Compton
(913) 624-3327

Glen Headques
(785) 228-6511

Lacy Gomez
(316) 220-6900 Press 0 when you hear the message


I emailed the people below here and also left them a voice message.
Media Relations
Nancy Sherrer
(913) 762-7032

Bit Vo
(913) 762-7033

Dan Wilinsky
Director, Media Relations, Corporate
(913) 762-7017

Robert Kelley
Director of Public Relations in California
(602) 745-7752

I still haven't got a response but I really believe its because I am only one person. I think this needs better attention than what its getting. If you talk to the people at Customer Service. I have found out you get nowhere. I think we need to make more noise about this. We have to pull together and push SprintPCS to honor their worldwide media announcement as linked by BOB.OS

Any emails you send to anyone about the SprintPCS Wireless Web Digital Link not being 3G Data upgradable. Please CC me at [email protected]

Also, if you call them can you please take the time to email me what you said and what you were told, if you get any answers.

I want to keep track of all this stuff. If nothing is done, I will investigate the right people to send them a copy of all the people that are complaining and what is being said.

So stop reading this thread and get on the phone or email them.

Hopefully we can get SprintPCS to replace our Digital links with the Treo or give us our money back.

~Ozzie~
[email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lets stop talking and lets start acting....

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 31

Who specifically told you that it is 3G voice upgradable but will not be 3G data upgraded? If this is true that yes, I am outraged and would want my money back.

I have not been able to get through to anyone at Sprint PCS who has any sort of clue. AirPrime, on the other hand, has been fantastic in understanding our concerns but I believe them when they say that their hands are tied. You would think that Handspring would press the issue a bit more though.

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

PCS Vision versus "Free & Clear"

The latest story here on VisorCentral regarding the PCS Digital Link being supplied free with new PCS accounts has a tidbit of info that may explain what is going on.

http://www.visorcentral.com/content/Stories/1491-1.htm

The Digital Link module will only work with the (older?)Free & Clear plans, and not the new PCS Vision plans. I believe this is analogous to the way the GSM Visorphone will work on GSM systems but is not compatible with the GSM-based GPRS system which enables the newer GSM phones to access the WAP websites using the cellular providers' new data services (iStream, T-zones, etc.)

My guess is that, due to hardware limitations, just like the Visorphone, the Digital Link will not be upgradeable, although the TREO will be. Marketing ploy or just a happy (for Handspring) coincidence? You be the judge!

But then, if you have a nice Visor PDA (better color on Prism than Treo) and Visorphone/Digital Link with access to ALL of the web, who needs the limited access WAP content that you must pay extra for anyway?

__________________
The Prismer

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

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

Teh airprime module technically should be CDMA 2000 upgradeable..
the problem is, is that their is no market for them to spend the money to upgrade it. No (real) new visors are being made, so it makes no sence for them to write an upgrade - they never promised one... yes it is sad i admit... but well.. some things jsut suck

__________________
-miradu

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 31

It definitely does suck. Especially since we were sold a bill of goods that hasn't been delivered upon yet. AirPrime took all the information about the SB3000 off of their website except a tiny announcement which reads "For all Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link inquires please contact Sprint PCS Customer Care." Sprint should give everybody Treo 300's which STILL wouldn't make up for the loss of the springboard capacity.

Registered: Nov 2001
Location:
Posts: 5

Sorry for the mispelled words and fragmented sentence. I am in a rush......

Okay Fellow people,

It�s ashamed to see that no one that owned a SprintPCS Wireless Web Digital Link attempted to contact Sprint. I guess not everyone cares about their devices as much as I do.

Prismer2,

I am not sure if you quite understand the concept of the 3G. It�s not the capability of WAP but it�s rather the speed. You see currently the Wireless Web Digital Link maxs out at 14k (If it gets to that point). Opposed to the 3G it would eventually (Which I really doubt) go up to 144k. Now that is a big speed difference. Based on the research I did whether you surf a wap or an HTML site the bandwidth for the 3G will be used. Therefore having 3G capability on the Wireless Web Digital Link will outperform the current capabilities of the Wireless Web Digital Link. Of course you are bound to the capabilities of the PDA browser software.


Motown,

When I originally posted this it was Mark Browning from Tier II Data Support from SprintPCS.


Miradu,
Read before you speak. Did you read the link that bob.os posted. If you did then read it again. If it was sold and we were told it was going to be upgraded to 3G data/voice in Mid 2002. Now, when I originally purchased the Device through SprintPCS website, the specs CLEARLY said 3G data/voice upgradable. Now does that mean they posted that on their website and announced worldwide through media for the reason of not upgrading. Ummm I don't think so..



Now more information for those that OWN a SprintPCS Wireless Web Digital Link. Earlier today I got off the phone with Customer Service Executive Office. I spoke to Debbie who has been the only person that has helped me get information (Of course after having my attorney send them a letter to Corporate).

Here is the scoop:
1. AirPrime and Sprint are discussing the options that can be taken for current Wireless Web Digital Link owners.
2. SprintPCS will give me a resolution, whether it be a credit to my account, or replace my device with another phone that is similar (I am guessing the Treo 300).
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.

So that is what I have got so far. I went and took it to myself to act on this because no one else seemed to care. Too much talkin and actin...

~Ozzie~

Registered: Nov 2001
Location:
Posts: 5

Okay.. I just read my post and maybe I was being an ass*ole to some of the people (Miradu). I apoligize... I am just upset of this whole thing. I spent $900 on 3 of the devices and they are sitting in my drawer.

Once again if I was an ass*hole... I am sorry...

I guess I need to go to anger management classes.. LOL...

~Ozzie~

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

Hmmmmm......

Ozzie21 wrote:

quote:

---

Prismer2,

I am not sure if you quite understand the concept of the 3G. It�s not the capability of WAP but it�s rather the speed. You see currently the Wireless Web Digital Link maxs out at 14k (If it gets to that point). Opposed to the 3G it would eventually (Which I really doubt) go up to 144k. Now that is a big speed difference. Based on the research I did whether you surf a wap or an HTML site the bandwidth for the 3G will be used. Therefore having 3G capability on the Wireless Web Digital Link will outperform the current capabilities of the Wireless Web Digital Link. Of course you are bound to the capabilities of the PDA browser software.

---

That does not make what I said incorrect, only that you added more information. I still believe that the PCS Vision plans are equivalent to GSM's GPRS technology, including WAPS, faster speeds, emergency locating, the whole 3G enchilada. Therefore, when it was announced that the Digital Link would only work on the older "Free and Clear" plans, this confirmed that the DL would not be upgradeable to 3G. This is probabably due to a hardware limitation (14.4K modem?) in the Digital Link.

I was only trying to provide some additional information to help in the understanding of the situation. I have no knowledge of what was promised by Sprint or its local representatives.

Perhaps you can find a local group equivalent to Seinfeld's "Rageaholics Anonymous"!

__________________
The Prismer

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

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

I understand your dissapointment - and that you were right. They did advertise that they it is 3G upgradedable... In the Visor Central review, we listed it as a pro of the device. http://www.visorcentral.com/content/Stories/1346-7.htm

Hopefully you will get either and upgrade or a Treo 300. Keep us informed!

__________________
-miradu

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by Ozzie21
...the specs CLEARLY said 3G data/voice upgradable

---

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Oct 2002
Location:
Posts: 1

Oz

Oz wins first prize for his commitment to contacting people at Sprint regarding the failure of Sprint to make the hardware G3 capable. My sense of this module is that one must get a Sprint service with a monthly fee of say minimum $35 which would be 200 anytime minutes and 3300 weekend/night. Is the springboard module a decent voice phone? kinda bulky!!

Add an additional $5 for the "wireless web" which will enable something.... maybe this merely is to reduce the cost of data transfers when exceeding some monthly allocation of say 20MB...

the sprint service service plans seem designed for text data rather than for images.

Sprint also has some plan for pre-paid customers who can use any of four specific cell phones (the springboard module is not acceptable for the Sprint prepaid plan)...but prepay offers data service for .15 per minute all hours.

I will NOT be ordering a free Sprint module. NO. NO. NO.
No thanks!

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 9

Count me in

Let me know exactly where and to whom my letter should be sent and I will send it off tomorrow.

I was the first person in town to buy the DigitalLink under the promise of 3G. The fact that Handspring is now giving them away is yet another slap in the face (I can't even sell it now!).

I guess that's the reward you get for being an early adopter and spreading the word about "hot new products" for a company.

Please also let me know what your "settlement" was...

Registered: Dec 2001
Location:
Posts: 7

Sprint Information??

Any news on an upgrade for the Sprint Digital Link. I am one of the proud new owners via the Handspring give away and now looking at the different service plans. I have no luck getting Sprint to talk about the Digital Link...i.e. most don't even know what it is much less any thing about its future. I guess I am a little strange because I still love my Handspring Visor Deluxe and the addition of the digital link is really cool. Thanks for any updates.

Scott Wharton

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 143

quote:

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Originally posted by Ozzie21
I spent $900 on 3 of the devices and they are sitting in my drawer.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 23

You have to love it! I looked closely at the Digital Link module. Besides the logos for Sprin and Sprint PCS I noticed a logo Springboard Compatible and below it...

QUALCOMM
3D CDMA

Just wonderful...

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

quote:

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Originally posted by piotrek
You have to love it! I looked closely at the Digital Link module. Besides the logos for Sprin and Sprint PCS I noticed a logo Springboard Compatible and below it...

QUALCOMM
3D CDMA

Just wonderful...

---

"3D", not "3G", right?

__________________
The Prismer

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