Sprint Offers Open Enrollment for Device Protection During March

Customers who didn’t initially enroll now have a second chance

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), March 01, 2013 – With millions and millions of wireless devices being used every day, the odds are it will happen to all of us at some point – we will lose, damage or experience mechanical issues with our device. Now Sprint (NYSE:S, news, filings) customers have a second chance to ensure their device is protected.

From March 1 through March 31, Sprint is giving customers who originally opted out of its device protection program at the time of purchase another chance to enroll. Sprint’s device protection packages provide a range of coverage from loss to routine maintenance for wireless phones, smartphones, Sprint mobile broadband cards, tablets, netbooks and notebooks.

To be eligible for device protection open enrollment, the customer’s device must be functioning and in the customer’s possession. Customers can enroll at www.sprint.com/deviceprotection or by visiting any Sprint store.

“Wireless devices are more advanced today and consumers are relying even more on them for their business and everyday needs,” said Jaime Jones, senior vice president, consumer sales for Sprint. “A device protection plan is an affordable way to help ensure devices are protected from expensive replacement costs due to unintentional damage, loss or theft.”

Total Equipment Protection (TEP), administered by Asurion, provides customers complete protection for their phone, smartphone or Sprint mobile broadband card. Coverage includes loss, theft, damage and mechanical or electrical failure caused by defect or normal wear and tear, as well as routine maintenance. As an added feature, customers can download the Protection App to locate, lock and otherwise protect their phone remotely from a computer. The cost for TEP ranges from $8 to $11 per month, per line of service, depending on your device model.

TEP offers comprehensive end-to-end coverage and the peace of mind resulting from an easy, hassle-free solution. TEP helps customers who enroll by resolving many device issues the same day at Sprint full-service locations.

• In some cases device issues can be serviced or repaired in about one hour.
• It saves the customer per incident fees for in-store service or repair transactions.
• If the device is lost, stolen or exhibits liquid or physical damage, approved replacements will typically arrive in one business day.
• TEP saves customers from paying full retail price to replace their handset.

There is a non-refundable deductible ranging from $50 to $200 per approved claim for lost, stolen or damaged (physical or liquid) phones. The deductible is based on phone model.

The Assurant Advanced Protection Pack, from Assurant Solutions, provides protection for tablets, netbooks and notebooks. Coverage includes loss, theft, damage and mechanical or electrical breakdown caused by defect or normal wear and tear. The Assurant Advanced Protection Pack also provides technical support and apps to locate, lock and otherwise protect your device. The cost is $13 per month, per line of service. There is a non-refundable deductible of $100 per approved claim for loss, theft, accidental or liquid damage.

The Assurant Advanced Protection Pack helps customers who enroll by:

• Repairing or replacing the device at no cost for mechanical or electrical breakdown claims.
• Protecting valuable data by providing credit monitoring services in the event of loss or theft.
• Providing convenient troubleshooting by Web, phone or live chat.
• Expediting insurance claims.
• Potentially saving customers from paying full retail price to replace their tablet or other embedded device.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 55 million customers at the end of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.