Bad Coverage? Get a FREE AirRave!

[Brenner14]

If you have bad coverage in your area, Sprint will give you a free AIRAVE if you threaten to leave for a different provider. I just called up and they told me that my AIRAVE will be next-day'd at no cost, and they will also be waiving the monthly charges. The hardware alone costs $100, and the service is $4.99/Month, so this deal isn't half bad.

For those who don't know, an AIRAVE is a device called a femtocell that takes in the signal from Sprint's towers and uses your Broadband Internet Connection to boost it. Likewise, a high-speed Internet connection is required for this to work. After it's installed, it should broadcast full voice (1x) service to every Sprint PCS phone within 5000 square feet!

NOTE: Make sure you aren't lying about having bad coverage, because I'm fairly sure they check their coverage map before giving you the free AIRAVE. If you're in the middle of NYC, my guess is they'd know you're lying. People are also reporting that after the 24 months, you have to start paying. I guess we can cross this bridge when we come to it, but be aware of this. Others don't even get free service at all. It has also been stated that if you cancel Sprint service within the 24 months, you have to return the AIRAVE or you will be fined.

Here's how:

1) Call Sprint Customer Service (Dial *2)
2) Get an Operator
3) Say you would like to cancel your contract. You will be transferred to retentions.
4) Play up a sob story about how you love Sprint (and your Pre!) but just can't continue to stay on the network because of how crappy the coverage is inside your home. Regardless of your situation, be sure to stress that the reason you considering leaving is because the coverage in your house is so poor. Be convincing.
5) The representative will probably suggest the AIRAVE at this point. If not, allude to "some kind of box that boosts reception" that you heard about. Do not make it obvious that you know they are giving them away! Remember, they have the authority to give it to you for free, so don't be shy about bringing this up.
6) If everything goes according to plan, and it should, (assuming your rep isn't in a terrible mood) they will ask for your address and next-day you your new AIRAVE at no cost!

DISCLAIMER: I am a brand new Sprint customer who purchased 2 Pre's for 2 lines, so this may have helped my case. Your mileage may vary, but my representative didn't seem to have any reservations about giving away the free AIRAVE. He was actually a pretty cool guy.

From now on, if you are given the free AIRAVE, post your city and state. That way anyone from your area will be able to better gauge how the call will go.

[catallah]

I actually did this without lying. I am a Sprint customer of 9 years and just told them what's up. I have bad service and my battery dies all the time because it is always searching for signal. I asked about the Airave and they said they would give it to me for free. Also free 2 years of service.

The thing works wonderfully, I even have service in the corners of my basement (all concrete).

As for the 3G, it will just give you voice service (1X), no EVDO (will still get that from the closer real tower). Also you need high speed internet with a router/switch.

[wimac]

I did it as well without lying. Admittedly I learned about the Airave on these forums but I had a legit issue to resolve. I understand that you will show 1X service when connected to the Airave.

[Linh]

I would flat out buy it for $100 for my basement... but $5/mo? damn. I just need it for voice around the house.

[Mike_Diako]

I did this about a year ago. It works great!

[mattbrad2]

Saw this thread; immediately called retentions to see if I could get this same deal - they gave at to me without me having to ask.

I said we get no service and the lady responded with a free AirRave and 2 years of no monthly fees plus next day air shipping. Woah! Spring is really trying to keep their customers after all!

[mrnfl2]

Yeah i got a new airave in store and then got the $100 credit to my account. So i did pay up front but they credited my bill right away and waived the monthly fee, but i am also a new customer that just signed a contract. I love the thing, full bars in my house on every phone its great. I get no service where i live from any cell phone company so this is awesome.

[atlanta]

Finally glad to see people enjoying the sprint network , Sprint is actually rated as having the highest voice quality.

[lexorS]

I get pretty much no reception at my House in PA, I should probably call and ask them about this, since i got it out there in the first place.

[AFitchguy07]

As for the 3G, it will just give you voice service (1X), no EVDO (will still get that from the closer real tower). Also you need high speed internet with a router/switch.

I don't even have EvDO in my area. The web really blows because of this unless i find free wifi around my town! i kinda wish they'd get up EvDO or complete city-wide wifi already.

It makes sense to only give you 1x cause you have a router at home. wifi over EvDO any day.