Sprint 700p - BT DUN - Pricing?!

[forty2j]

So I have a 650. And I'm very pleased with it. And I use DUN often, and the use of it is covered under my unlimited Vision plan.

And now I'm looking at (drooling over?) a 700p. I've actually had my 650 long enough to qualify for the 2-year upgrade rebate from Sprint. But in browsing through the blogs here and other posts throughout the web, I'm very confused about the pricing for using DUN now.

I've come across 4 different opinions. If you're in the know, please select from the following list:
(A) BT DUN is enabled and included with an unlimited Power Vision plan.
(B) BT DUN is enabled and included with the purchase of a separate $40-$50/month data plan. You purchase both this plan and Power Vision separately.
(C) BT DUN is enabled and included with the purchase of a $40-$50/month data plan. This plan is incompatible with Power Vision, so many EVDO features are not available.

I've seen all three stated. Only one of them can be right.

Anyone got the answer? (And maybe a link to demonstrate?)

Thanks..

[skoenig]

ha HA.... I've had this very experience myself with my new 700p...

Firstly, and to save you a ton of time trawling around their crazy site, here's the list of plans available:
http://powervision.sprint.com/mobile...ans/index.html

You will notice the Sprint Powervision Unlimited plan does not mention tethered or BT modem capability.

It lists, separately, plans that include Phone as Modem (PAM) plans - which are at least double the price.

When you call them you will notice that very few of the reps know what they're talking about.

I got the PowerVision Unlimited thinking I could use it as a modem (thats what I was told). Turns out you can't... following the manual I start a BT DUN connection and put in #777 as the number to dial but couldn't get authorised.

Several calls later I found someone who said PAM wasn't enabled on my account because I only has said plan.

I installed PDANet and did it myself.

Some people have mentioned that Sprint can tell if you're using it as a modem (hence one of PDANet's beta options is the proxy server) but I'm not sure yet... I guess I'll let you know.

Hope this helps...

As I haven't used the corporate offerings so I don't know about if you get the Powervision stuff but I can tell you it feels a bit like AOL in there...it's mainly previews and other things you can buy. Personally I prefer a straight up IP stream to go and get my own stuff rather than NBC video news updates and previews of Snakes on a Plane (can't wait until the BBS start doing more mobile services, I miss the 10pm news here in the US).

One question for those out there using it...it say in the manual if you get a call whilst using the modem it routes the call straight to voicemail which sucks and I've experienced that. Is that just with PDANet or can everyone else get calls whilst PAMing?

~Steph

[forty2j]

Originally Posted by skoenig

You will notice the Sprint Powervision Unlimited plan does not mention tethered or BT modem capability. It lists, separately, plans that include Phone as Modem (PAM) plans - which are at least double the price.

Yikes.. I see that.. and I notice the PAM plans don't mention including PowerVision either..

Originally Posted by skoenig

I installed PDANet and did it myself.

That doesn't work for me:
Disclaimer: This software does not come with any warranty and we are not responsible for any charges you may incur from your cellular provider as a result of using PdaNet. It only runs on Windows XP/2000/ME/98SE and does not support Mac.
My laptop is a Mac.

Originally Posted by skoenig

As I haven't used the corporate offerings so I don't know about if you get the Powervision stuff but I can tell you it feels a bit like AOL in there...

I kinda know what you mean, but I'd like access to the NFL stuff and the full-length movie stuff they just announced.

Originally Posted by skoenig

One question for those out there using it...it say in the manual if you get a call whilst using the modem it routes the call straight to voicemail which sucks and I've experienced that. Is that just with PDANet or can everyone else get calls whilst PAMing?

This is true on my 650 using "official" DUN as well.

Thanks for the info.. more to ponder..

[skoenig]

Ah the sports! Well fair enough.

How much are the movies? I spent some time ripping a few of my dvds and they play pretty well on the treo (except they're widescreen which makes them even smaller).

I've been watching Lost on mine but the square aspect screen format drives me nuts so I can only watch parts of the episode at a time. A PMP is much more effective and many come with decent size drives and screens now.

~ Steph

[forty2j]

The movies are more or less Blockbuster price.. $4 for oldies, $5 for new releases.

[skoenig]

Not bad at all...thanks for the info.

So I guess they stream and you get to watch them from their servers for a period of time? I should look myself I guess...

~ Steph

[skoenig]

Came across How To: Using the Treo as Modem on your Mac by Andrew, it might help.

~ Steph