Starting January 30, Sprint is raising data rates by $10 a month for new phone activations. The rate increase will not apply to existing customer unless they upgrade or activate another smartphone.

Previously the fee only applied to Epic 4G, HTC EVO 4G, and EVO Shift 4G phones accessing the Sprint WiMax network. Now it will apply to all smartphones. Supposedly the fee will allow the network to keep offering unlimited data for WiMax subscribers.

Smartphones Drive Wireless Data Explosion [Press Release] (Thanks to Shawn!)
Sprint Expands $10 ‘Because We Can’ Fee [DSL Reports] (Thanks to David!)

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