Free Newsletter
Sprint launches new plan with perks for loyal customers
Free newsletter via e-mail
Tools
Sprint Nextel launched a new program, called Sprint Premier, giving service perks to loyal customers, as the carrier tries to maintain its subscriber base and boost customer satisfaction.
Saying, "loyalty pays," Sprint announced that it was offering the plan to any customers who had been with Sprint for at least 10 years or who are on an individual wireless plan of at least $69.99 per month or spend at least $99.99 per month on a plan that shares minutes for three consecutive months.
Some of the plan's perks include:
- Early Upgrades: Customers are able to upgrade their handset after one year, though for accounts sharing minutes, the early upgrade applies to the primary line and a new two-year service contract is required.
- First to Know/First to Buy: Customers in the plan get sneak peeks at some of Sprint's upcoming devices, including the Palm Pre, and are among the first to be able to buy them when they become available.
- "Just Because" Perks: Customers get special offers for trips, tickets to shows and sporting events.
- Anniversary Rewards: Customers can celebrate their annual Sprint anniversary with gifts such as free ring tones or free minutes.
The plan is clearly designed to boost customer satisfaction and retain subscribers. The carrier has been in a precarious position for some time, and is expected to announce a net subscriber loss when it reports its fourth quarter earnings and subscriber results later this month. Sprint recently announced it would cut 8,000 jobs and take other cost-cutting measures.
The carrier, the third largest in the United States, also said it would suspend its matching 401(k) program for the year as well as its tuition reimbursement program and would extend its freeze on salary increases. Sprint is expected to report its fourth quarter results on Feb 19.
For more:
- see this release
- see this post
Related Articles:
Sprint launches flat-rate Nextel Direct Connect plans
Sprint Nextel to cut 8,000 jobs
Sprint's Hesse: call centers may close, but panic will not reign
Sprint may close call centers to cut costs
Analyst: Sprint will have large job cuts in 2009
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | February 3, 2009 - 10:33pm
I AM IN A NWXTEL SPRINT NEXTEL MARKET IN NE PA. FORMERLY "NEXTEL PARTNERS. THERE IS HORRIBLE RECEPTION IN OUR AREA AND NOT AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNTILIZE THE DUAL MODE HANDSET WHIVH WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. NO ONE CAN GIVE YOU A STRAIGHT ANSWER IN THE COMPANY. SO WE CAN ONLY USE THE NEXTEL SIDE OF THE SYSTEM. AS A MATTER OF FACT SPRINT AND NEXTEL STILL COMPETE WITH EASHOTHER IN OUR AREA. THIS MAKES NO SENSE.
Posted by Anonymous | February 4, 2009 - 6:45am
Hey,
How about a perks program for the underpaid, [top rating with no pay increase for 3.5 years], and overworked, LOYAL employees!
Did you know that "DAN", not only doesn't pay for employees cell phone plans, he just RAISED the cost of them. The employees are subsidizing the discounts the public gets!
Let's see, no more pension, and then he stopped all contributions to 401ks and again, for the eight time in four years, another lay off of 8000. I think we know who needs laying off = "DAN" !! No cuts in loser "DAN" funding, just eveyone elses.
Posted by Anonymous | May 4, 2009 - 4:11pm
Perks?! WHo gives a crap?! How about a bill that ends up costing what I signed up for? Why is my $99.99 plan always $150? Get Metro or Cricket. Thier network is the bomb and ask when the last time they laid anyone off was.
Posted by Anonymous | October 13, 2009 - 4:26am
$99 plan is a farse its $150 even after a vacation for 2weeks its mad
Posted by Anonymous | October 22, 2009 - 12:45am
All I can say about Sprint is I hate that every couple of years the company forces their customers to change their old plan for a new plan if they want to take advantage of the newer phones. That is just plain dirty business, if you had a great deal promo plan when you first join Sprint now you had to dump that old plan for a more expensive plan. THATS WRONG!
Comments (5) | Post a comment