Sprint quietly adds Mobile to Office to Business Everything Data plans 35
Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:55 am EST 
As any business customer will tell you, Sprint’s unlimited Mobile to Mobile on their Everything Data plan is great until you have to call the office. Sprint seems to have recognized this and quietly (so quiet we’re just now hearing about it) last month added Mobile to Office to their business plans.
What Mobile to Office does is creates an unlimited calls conduit between your Sprint business phone and one landline business phone of your choice. That’s in addition to the unlimited Mobile to Mobile that already comes on Sprint’s Business Everything Data plans. With this addition Sprint callers can stop using up their Anytime Minutes for calls back to the office.
(If you're thinking a Google Voice number would be the right choice for your 'office line,' we like the way you think. Let us know how that works out for you!)
If you’ve got a Sprint Business Everything Data plan (Mobile to Office isn’t available for consumer/family versions), the easiest way to specify a landline for your Mobile to Office calling is to call Sprint’s customer service. With all the perks that Sprint gives to customers at such a low price, it still is surprising just how badly they keep hemorrhaging customers.
Thanks to carteratzion for the tip!
35 Comments
Derek, on your last comment, can't agree more, their plans are outstanding and inexpensive, why they are not more attractive is beyond me.
@jdod: I think it's because in many markets (mine is central FLA), Sprint coverage is "less than desireable". Although VZW is more expensive, I have full bars almost everywhere I go (and at least 2 to 3 bars within my house)!
I would have jumped ship with my 755p to Sprint a long time ago when the Pre first came out, but I would have been roaming almost all the time! I am sure that is certain markets, this is not the case... just not in mine.
Nevertheless, I can't wait for the Pre plus on the 25th. I'm looking forward to upgrading from my 755p and using my google voice number to help ease the "hemorrhaging" from my wallet!
I just want to point out that most of Sprint's individual plans have roaming included, meaning you can roam on Verizon's voice network at not additional cost. That's the way I understand it at least, correct me if I'm wrong.
You are right. I think there is some limit though if I recall (something like up to 50% of your minutes can be roaming).
There is even a patch on Homebrew that allows you to toggle Roaming on and off at will. So if you are in an area with great Verizon coverage but poor Sprint coverage (we're talking voice only here, not data), you can switch to roaming and the phone will stay there.
Whenever I show my Android friends who tell me "I didn't get a Pre because I prefer Verizon's network" I say "Oh yeah, me too sometimes. That's why I switch to Verizon using this on-screen toggle". After their jaw drops they always reply with, "yeah, but you get charged for that, right?". I love watching the look on their faces when I say "no". They say to me, "you mean I am paying for your minutes?". I reply, "yes, thank you very much".
Of course we are paying, just that it's embedded in the cost of the plan so it doesn't feel like we are paying. Especially with the great rates on Sprint.
Sadly the free roaming may go away, as verizon phases into LTE and sprint into Wimax
I guess this will be huge when the 4G Iphone comes to Sprint in a few months... Yes, the 4G Iphone will be on Sprint by July... Then it will be on Verizon in the last quarter of this year.
Please post a URL to your source please.
you know this how? URL?
@deletetoend
I actually read quite the opposite, Engadget is posting no wimax phones until the end of 2010, so no iPhone with 4G this year anyways
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/09/clear-says-not-to-expect-any-wimax-sm...
I have no URL to provide you guys. I work for one of the major stock holders of Clear and can share with you that this info was given to me at the Clear launch event in Austin, Texas back in December by one Sprint and two Clear Executives. This report you cite is interesting but lacks a credible known reporter and fails to cite anyone known to be with Clear.
God knows I am not credible in any of your eyes and I also fail to cite my sources.... guess we see around June or July.
I'm not into doubt, as nobody thought the games we're all now running was possible two months ago.
Hope this is true, and keep the info coming delete2end!
Hmmm.... I'm thinking I'd stay with the Pre even if the iPhone were to come to Sprint though. Why would I want anyone's sloppy 3rd's???
Actually, we all knew the games were possible the day Palm announced the hardware specs of the Pre at last year's CES.
We just didn't know how soon Palm would write the SDK needed for developers to access that hardware.
I just chatted online with Sprint, but the agent I dealt with was unaware of this promotion. She advised it would cost $8/month to add this to my business account....She did, however, provide me with a direct phone number for the Business Care Department, and advised that I should check with them directly to see if there is a special they are running that she wasn't aware of. I will do so, and report back here...
It's confirmed - the story is misleading. This option is available as an add-on only (according to Sprint's Business Care Department) for $8/month. It is NOT a free add on to our accounts. Oh well - it's still nice to know that for only $8/month more a Business Everything Data plan holder can have unlimited calling when using a Google Voice number for outgoing calls (as opposed to the $30 I'd have to spend to upgrade to Simply Everything from my 450/minutes per month plan).
I think this story really needs to come down or be tweaked to indicate that it is NOT a free, readily available option one can add by just calling Sprint....As of now, only 1 person has been able to confirm on this "forum" that they got this deal, whereas as others have confirmed that they have called Sprint, and canNOT get this deal. I think just because one person was able to get this deal doesn't mean it should be publicized that the deal has been extended to everyone - perhaps Sprint was just being nice to them? Perhaps it was a one time special? Bottom line though is that a few of us (at least) have called, inquired about this story, and gotten nowhere....Unless others can chime in and prove the info Sprint is giving the rest of us is wrong, I'm not sure why this story has stayed as the lead for a whole day already?
Stayed in the lead? You mean why is it still the 1st story? Easy, cuz it's the weekend!
So I got more details about this plan.
Ay is correct. It is $8/month for Private, Govt, and "Public Sector" consumers. I apparently fall under the public sector group. I work for a hospital and get a corporate discount so I guess I'm public sector. This is however NOT a company issued phone. You can add any phone number to this but no directory assistance phone #s (ie, 411). You can add say, a conference phone number ###-###-#### and if it asks for the conference pin, these calls are considered to be office numbers.
The other plans is the "phone home" plan which is $5/month. You basically add your home phone # to the phone number.
I probed around and the rep didn't know how Sprint would be able to tell if I add an office number versus my home phone number (just in case I want to save $3/month).
Either or, this doesn't really benefit me that much. I have a family plan of 1500 landline minutes and I barely use 10 minutes a month (I am not even kidding).
***it still is surprising just how badly they keep hemorrhaging customers.*** Customer service is your answer. The have no empathy and in general treat some people with a crappy (sorry can't help you)attitude. Years ago the CS was great, but the last two years I have NEVER had a good experience dealing with them. Yes sometimes everything sounds like they got issues resolved. Until you get your bill and find out it isn't fixed or it is worse. Last summer it took 6 months to get an issue to the "it is as good as it gets, not worth more stress" level. I am waiting for the end of contract date to come around again. My addvice to everyone who deals with sprint: Have the rep send you an email detailing what they are doing. You can then see if they have it right and if not you have something in writing to go back to them with when they tell you they can't do what they originally said they would.
They have VASTLY improved their customer service. However, a lot of people don't know that.
I don't understand either why so many people hate Sprint.
Out of the 4 major carriers, they are:
1. 2nd in coverage behind Verizon
2. 2nd in prices behind Tmobile
3. Fastest 3G speeds in most places.
4. First to bring 4G.
5. FREE MOBILE TO MOBILE
They don't lie when they say they are the NOW Network.
Anyway, it's all good. Sprint and TMo stay away from the ATT and Verizon fights. It's all good.
"They have VASTLY improved their customer service."
In my experience over the last 3 years I have no complaints, and it seems recently they're being especially helpful. I know they used to shut off service if you owed them a penny for a day (not as much of an exaggeration as you'd think) which must have upset many people, but I haven't tested that.
I have had Sprint for several years (read 7) and even though their CS was suffering back in 2005-2006, i have never had an issue that a Sprint wasn't able to fix. I have had uninterrupted service for something like 6-7 years. The Pre is the most powerful phone on the market and I work @ Best Buy Mobile, so I get to see the good stuff coming around from time to time. The Homebrew capability is amazing as is the time and effort people have poured into making this phone THE customizable device over any android/winmo device. When it comes to VZW, I WILL most likely be switching for the better network but I still think Sprint has the best Bang-For-The-Buck. I have tricked the crap out of the Pre because I can but the better hardware on the Plus will be a sweet feather in the hat for those that are loyal to Palm (regardless of carrier). Do it and get nerdy. You won't regret it. All it took was 2 weeks with the Pre to figure out that no phone has the upward potential of the Pre nor does any phone really try operate on the same level. Rip Share!!!!! (that one was for you Bode).
Dangerous340,
You must live on the west coast. I am on the east. When I call I generally get ported to Charlotte. They are awesome. Sometimes I will end up in San Fran, and it is like dealing with AT&T. They have no clue what they are talking about, and barely speak English. I don't know if you asked, if they would send you to Charlotte, but trust me if you can get that to happen you will change your opinion on Sprint's customer service.
The more I pay attention to this "Sprint losing customers" story, the more I notice how sheepish many folks are. Most often, people quote bad customer service as the prime reason they hate Sprint. Customer service has vastly improved with Sprint and truth be told, it was never as bad as many claimed. I've been with Sprint for the better part of 11 years and the few times I've had to call for support, the reps were very helpful and answered my questions.
Even the one time when my 2nd line got cloned (it went into analog roaming) and I got stuck with a $800 bill, the rep saw the issue and transferred me to the Fraud department. They, in turn, took care of everything (I set the phone to "Sprint Only" mode to avoid a repeat of that incident).
And to top it all off, I've got two lines for the price of a single iPhone account from ATT. Sprint, if nothing else, is insanely affordable.
Sometimes, I wonder if the people who complain about Sprint's CS, more often than not, are asking for the sun and the moon.
"Sometimes, I wonder if the people who complain about Sprint's CS, more often than not, are asking for the sun and the moon."
+1
I Don't know what the deal is when i called sprint they told me it was free and i have not seen anything on my bill these are the only things that might determine the price
1. Location: My Business is registered with sprint to Snohomish Washington 98290
2. Amount of Phones: I Currently have 4 Phones on my account A Palm Pre, A Palm Pixi, A Blackberry Curve 8330 All running on sprint's EV-DO Network, I Also Have A Motorola i580 Running on Sprint's Acquired iDEN Network (Nextel)
3. Plan: We Currently Have A Simply Everything 1500 Share Plan For All My Phones and this is the Only Plan I Have
4. How long We've been with sprint: We Have Been Nextel Subscribers Before the merger and we slowly transitioned from nextel's network to sprint's however before the merger we temporarily started a service plan with Sprint PCS however we cut it after about 3 months. During that Period we kept our phones and kept service active during that time. Over the years we have gone to T-Mobile & AT&T and sprint is my far the best in coverage price and over all service and that's why we have been with Sprint/Nextel For Over 10 Years and We are not going anywhere soon.
Hope this helps you guys and thanks to precentral for mentioning my name in your article! I Love precentral, The Smartphone Experts Group and everything you Guys do! Ever since i got my palm pre i have been visiting Precentral.net for everything to do with webos and as my main source fir news about my phones.
Thanks for everything Guys and i cant wait to see what comes in the future!
have you guys heard of pick 3 option. YMMV but you can call or email CS and ask them to add Pick 3 option for free. That makes any 3 numbers in US you can call at no charge to minutes. And yes, I did put my google voice number as one of those!
That pick 3 option is true...I have it! at no charge. I can call any 3 landline numbers at no charge...just like the team mobile friends thingy...
Its quite nice
By the sounds of the last quarterly report, they are hemorrhaging less customers than ever before. I personally love my Sprint service. It's been affordable(smartphones in my family of 5 for once!), reliable and the customer service has been excellent for the times I've had to call in. I just hope that they come out with more feature and dumbphones to give them a bigger target audience. And a new Pre would be nice too.. :)
I called Sprint CS just after Thanksgiving '09 and got Pick 5 at no charge. But I've seen that now it is just Pick 3.
In meetings I'll get the answer from my Sprint phone and Google Mobile while others are still thumbing Blackberries or saying "my iPhone will whip your Dumb*ss Phone POS!" And they'll ask me How I got that answer and What did I use. I'll tell the truth.
As soon as I say 'Sprint' others call me a liar and say 'everyone knows that can't be' so here is my guess:
The virus that AT&T and Verizon put in the drinking water makes 'em all CRAZY!!!
Meanwhile after ten years with Sprint, we all get max. discount on a new phone every 12 months, not every 24. My family refuses to use it that often, feeling we take too much advantage of Sprint in their moment of challenge. But alas, the phone must be activated and stay on my account. No Re-Sales to y'all - sorry 'bout that.
I only been with Sprint since June when I got my Pre. Since then I had to call into support once due to a text issue that was solved. Where everyone hates Sprint is turn around time for issues. It took them 2 days to have the text messaging back up and running. While I didn't like that it took two days they gave me a credit for almost half my bill due to this issue, and resolved it on a Sunday(2nd day). I was thinking that it was going to be Monday or Tuesday before I got it resolved.
As for the person that lives in CFL. I get great signal in my area with my phone. Not sure where you got that information from but if it is from friends check what phones they have, if it was a while back Sprint has done a lot of network upgrading in CFL.
Has palm been having some slow days? This has been the top story for 2 days now.
I wish if Sprint brought back the unlimited incoming calls because I use FDIVoice for my business line and Google Voice other associates.
This may have been said, as I haven't waded theought all the posts above, but ONE NUMBER? That's a fail. No business today uses a single line with a switchboard to route calls. Every company I've worked for, or with (I'm a consultant) for the last 10 years assigns individual numbers to each employee. So unless I only talk to one person at my company, this plan is just silly.
If Sprint thinks any company is going to want it's mobile staff routing all calls through the receptionist they're really out of touch.
well I thought this thread was about mobile office, but I guess you guys have other things to discuss. Just wanted to let you know that I signed up for mobile office using my google voice number as my office. Been using it all day & checked my minutes at sprint.com & sure enough I have been using unlimited mobile office minutes. SWEET!!!