According to a recent press release starting January 30th all smartphone users will begin being charged a "$10 per month Premium Data add-on charge." Unless you already have the EVO 4G, Epic 4G or EVO Shift you won't have to worry about this extra charge, until you upgrade or activate a new smartphone if you're an existing customer.



“The growth of powerful smartphone mobile devices along with connected notebook and tablet computers is driving new user behavior to stay connected at all times, and data traffic on many mobile networks is already doubling each year. As smartphones and data-intensive tablets continue to drive huge spikes in user adoption, sub-par 3G networks are no longer sufficient to handle the massive increase in mobile data traffic.” - Berge Ayvazian, Senior Consultant, Heavy Reading, and Director, 4G Consulting Practice


[via Sprint]


"Sprint will increase its postpaid rates by applying a $10 per month Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones beginning Jan. 30. The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for a richer mobile experience. Subscribers with smartphones will still receive the best value in wireless, including the Any Mobile, Anytime feature offered nationwide only by Sprint.


Sprint also offers a full range of traditional feature phones, including popular eco-friendly or touch-screen handsets that do not require the Premium Data add-on charge but still have a great range of capabilities with voice, text and data access. Existing Sprint smartphone customers are not affected unless they upgrade to or activate another smartphone."

[Sprint *2]

Will this additional data charge concern you? Will you be more likely to hold off on future upgrades to avoid the additional charge?