Wireless Price War Grows: Sprint Preps Family Data, Discounted Plans

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Sprint, falling farther behind Verizon and AT&T – and with T-Mobile right on its heels – is taking strides to better compete against its three rivals.

America’s No. 3 wireless operator is getting ready to determine how effective a family data plan might be. “A person familiar with the company’s plan” also tells CNET that the Overland Park, Kansas-based carrier is testing discounted individual and “Framily” plans as well.

Keeping up with the Joneses has been difficult for Sprint, as it’s been slow to upgrade its network. AT&T and Verizon Wireless now cover almost the entire country with 4G LTE, while T-Mobile is getting props for speed.

The family data plan testing will reportedly be done in Las Vegas; Portland, Oregon; and San Diego. The data cost per account will be $20 for 1GB, $30 for 2GB, $40 for 4GB, and goes up from there. Customers would be required to pay an additional charge to add a device; for example, $25 for a smartphone added to a data plan of 1GB to 10GB.

The discounted Framily plan is being tested in Philadelphia, Providence, Rhode Island; and Buffalo, New York. It starts at $45 per month, which is $10 less than the current, similar Framily plan offering. The cheaper individual plan is being tested in Minneapolis, Chicago and western Michigan. Customers will be eligible for a $40 unlimited plan or get 3GB of data per month for $40.

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