Cricket Wireless Might Add Hotspots Soon
July 17, 2015/
Unlike some competitors, Cricket Wireless blocks all Cricket mobile devices from being used as a hotspot. However, Prepaid Phone News reported on Wednesday that Cricket might soon be allowing consumers to use their phone’s hotspot capabilities as part of a $10 add-on.
It is worth noting that this is still technically a rumor, although a rather credible one as a Howard Forums user reported that a customer service rep claimed the hotspot feature was scheduled for August. In fact, this site even posted a screen shot that they managed to snatch before Cricket took down the page. It looks like the hotspot add-on will be $10 per month and requires a plan priced at $50 or more as well as a phone that is capable of being used as a hotspot.
As far as I know, phones that are activated on Cricket Wireless are able to use the hotspot feature. The data used for hotspots is from the same bucket as the regular mobile data.
Personally, I am a little surprised by this move. Currently MetroPCS offers free mobile hotspots on all of its plans, as does Sprint prepaid. Boost and Virgin both charge a small amount (around $5 generally) for their hotspot. So not only is this leak far above the average cost, but as Prepaid Phone News pointed out, is going to clash with the new Net Neutrality rules which went into effect recently. We’ll just have to wait for more information, I suppose.]]>
Posted in Cricket
Chat Transcript
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Nadesma: Thank you for contacting Cricket Wireless. How can I help you today? 🙂
Ryan: i ordered a phone as a new customer and it said “free 2 day shipping”
Ryan: that was on Thursday….
Nadesma: I will be more than glad to assist you 🙂
Ryan: it looks like it was shipped the next day on friday
Nadesma: Well orders take from 2 to 4 business to arrive
Ryan: it’s not guaranteed 2 day?
Ryan: you should list it as 2-4 day shipping not “free 2 day shipping”
Ryan: that is misleading
Nadesma: Really sorry about it
Ryan: when does my billing start?
Ryan: i’m hoping your about to say when I receive it
Ryan: otherwise I might reject the package and request a refund
Ryan: i needed the phone today…
Nadesma: Once you receive it and activate services
Ryan: this is my first time with cricket and it’s not starting out too well
Ryan: i already am dissatisfied with the lack of honesty
Nadesma: We are really sorry about it and do apologize for the inconvenience
Ryan: an apology is great, but what are you going to do about it?
Ryan: i paid for it expecting “2 day shipping”
Ryan: that is called false advertising
Nadesma: It is usually 2 days shipping but it might take up to 4 business days.
Ryan: nadesma, can you do anything about it?
Ryan: what you are telling me is not what was advertised to me when i made the purchase
Nadesma: Unfortunately as much as we would like to help Ryan, this is out of our hands, orders can not be expedited or so.
Ryan: wow. can i have a refund?
Nadesma: Well, due to policies no refunds apply.
Ryan: so you falsely advertise knowing that it is dishonest
Ryan: and try to lock people in before they realize what your doing
Nadesma: Will escalate comments so they can change it and be aware it might take longer.
Ryan: i will save this conversation. credit cards are helpful because when the companies falsely advertise you can reject the charge and then your “no refund” policy does not apply any longer
Nadesma: ok,
Ryan: i’m glad there are fallbacks when companies try to mislead you
Ryan: ill be posting this online for future customers to be aware of
Long overdue. GoPhone has been offering a free hotspot for years, and Cricket is owned by the same company, so it makes sense. Not sure if I would pay $10 though; still keeps Cricket cheaper than GoPhone but the deal won’t be as good as it would be. Maybe AT&T is trying to get rid of GoPhone quietly.
Cricket had a free hotspot but it was removed or disabled when ATT purchased cricket