Cellular-connected tablets were key drivers of growth in Sprint’s third-quarter postpaid net subscriber additions, and the carrier wants to keep it up in the fourth quarter with the launch of a quartet of LTE-connected tablets.
The Android 5.1 Lollipop tablets consist of a Samsung model, an Alcatel model and two Slate-brand tablets from American Network Solutions.
In its fiscal third quarter, the carrier gained 316,000 net new postpaid data-device subscribers, including tablets, plus 237,000 net new postpaid phone subscribers, for a total of 553,000 postpaid net adds.
The Samsung tablet is the Tab E, which features Android 5.1 Lollipop, 1,280 by 800 WXGA display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB RAM, 16GB embedded memory, 128GB MicroSD slot and 5,000 mAh battery. It costs $79 with two-year contract or $299 without contract. The no-contract installment-payment price is $0 down for well-qualified buyers and 24 payments of $12.50/ month.
The Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 7 features a 7-inch 1,024 by 600 WSVGA display, 1.1GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of embedded memory, 32GB MicroSD slot and 4,000 mAh battery. It costs $29 with two-year contract, but if the customer has an active Sprint phone, the tablet is free with two-year contract. The price is $240 without contract, or $10/month for 24 months.
The Slate 8 features an 800 by 1280 8-nich display, 1.1 GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB embedded memory, 128GB MicroSD slot and 4,500 mAh battery. It’s priced at $240 without contract or $29.99 with contract. The no-contract installment-payment plan costs $0 down for well-qualified buyers with 24 payments of $10/month.
The Slate 10 features an 800 by 1,280 10-inch display, 1.1GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB of embedded memory, 128GB MicroSD slot and 5,400 mAh battery. It costs $288 without contract or $79 with two-year contract. The no-contract installment plan costs $0 down for well-qualified buyers and 24 payments of $12/month.
All but the Slate 10 are available through Sprint’s direct channels, with the Slate 10 coming Nov. 13.
Sprint Family Share Pack subscribers add a tablet to a shared-data plan for $10/month. Consumers signing up for individual plans can choose plans starting at $10/month for 100MB. Other plans cost $15 for 1GB, $35 for 3GB, $50 for 6GB, $80 for 12GB, and $110 for 30GB.
Tablet pans include mobile hot spot capability at no extra charge.
