Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) is expanding its shared data plans for small businesses. Last Friday, the carrier began allowing small companies to share a pool of data in order to save money.
The new plans are available until June 13th 2013. The new plans allow users to add up to thirty devices including smartphones, tablet computers, USB dongles, and mobile hot-spots. Like all plans, the shared data plan requires a two-year contract. The smartphone plan distributes 20GB of shared data across ten different devices, 40GB across 20 devices, or 60GB across 30 devices. Tablet plans cover from 5 to 30 devices with a price range of $59.99 to $319.99. Such plans can only be purchased through Sprint’s Business Direct, Care, or Telesales.
Sprint’s new shared data plans won’t have any affect on its other business plans including ‘Everything Business’ and ‘Business Advantage’. It is important to point out that Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) isn’t the first carrier to offer shared data plans to businesses. Just last summer, T-Mobile introduced shared-data for business plans, and earlier this year, Verizon Communications Inc.(NYSE:VZ) joined the bandwagon.
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t all that long ago that Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) made digs at other carriers over shared data plans. But as Sprint’s marketing vice president Caralene Robinson said, “the concept of sharing a monthly data allowance across a family or group of users increases the likelihood for a surprise monthly bill due to data overage charges.”
The business plan from Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) was designed exclusively for businesses, there is still some significant concern regarding data coverages. Others are concerned whether or not Sprint will be able to keep up with the competition and whether they will offer more flexibility with their shared data plans. At press time, there was no word on whether Sprint will offer shared data plans to families.
Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) is also expanding its 4G service to nine new spots throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
[via: CNET]
