Last week Sprint made a deal that got the industry talking. Now, the fourth-largest wireless carrier is one-upping itself.
Just days ago, Sprint made DirecTV customers a one-time offer if they switched from their current wireless carriers: free service for an entire year. That free service wasn’t a bare bones offer, either. It included all the bells and whistles, from unlimited talk and text to 2 GB of data per line.
“DirecTV customers switching to Sprint told us they want additional data options,” said Kevin Crull (pictured), chief marketing officer at Sprint. “We heard them loud and clear and are giving them what they want — the ability to add more data to the DirecTV offer. We are giving our customers the ability to stay connected worry-free.”
More Data, Less Money
Starting September 5, DirecTV customers can tap into the free offer with 2 GB of data per line or up the ante. Customers can get 4 GB of data for $ 10 per month per line or 6 GB of data for $ 20 per month per line.
The deal is good through September 30. The offer lets DirecTV customers switch to Sprint — or existing Sprint customers add new lines of service through Sprint Lease, iPhone Forever, Sprint Easy Pay1 or pay full retail price for their smartphones — and get 12 months of unlimited talk, text and a full 2 GB of data per line. The deal is good for up to five lines.
Here’s how it works: Qualified DirecTV customers can upload a recent DirecTV bill at www.sprint.com/directvoffer. Next, they go to Sprint.com or call Sprint Telesales to switch allegiances. Customers can also visit their local Sprint stores and log on to their DirecTV accounts online to show verification and take the company up on its offer.
The only catch, if you can even call it that, is that customers will be responsible for the one-time $ 36 activation fee and monthly taxes and surcharges. But there’s also an added bonus: Sprint will pay off users’ old phones and contracts. And if they’re not on contracts and don’t have installment billing phone payments, Sprint will buy back the working smartphones they’re currently using for up to $ 300 per line.
New Sprint on Display
We caught up with Jeff Kagan, an independent industry analyst, to get his thoughts on the beefed up Sprint deal. He told us Sprint is striking while the iron is hot.
“I am very happy to see Sprint listening to the needs of the customers they serve, and coming up with new service additions to satisfy different groups,” Kagan said. “It would’ve taken a long time for the old Sprint to react. It’s taking no time for the new Sprint to react.”
A more nimble Sprint is winning with customers — or at least no longer bleeding customers at the rate it once was, he noted. Sprint is stabilizing its ship and growing. This is good to see,” Kagan said. “We now have four good, strong wireless carriers in the U.S. marketplace.”
