Mobile Devices and Services (MDS) Master Contract: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

1. Will the State be assessed roaming charges?



2. Do the providers offer mobile-to-mobile plans? If so, at what charge?



3. What are the rates for long distance?



4. What additional charges would be included on the monthly invoice?



5. Is there a termination fee if a user changes providers?



6. How much advance notice is required to activate international coverage?



7. What is the replacement policy for devices?



8. Is invoice reporting information available on each provider’s web site?

1. Will the State be assessed roaming charges?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   There are no roaming charges for AT&T Mobility national coverage. International roaming charges vary depending on the country.	There are no roaming charges for the Nextel/Sprint National (Domestic) Network.  International roaming charges vary depending on the country.	National and international roaming charges will depend on the selected Verizon Wireless service plan.	There are no roaming charges for T-Mobile national coverage. International roaming charges vary depending on the country.

   
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2. Do the providers offer mobile-to-mobile plans?  If so, at what charge?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   Yes, AT&T Mobility  offers mobile-to-mobile plans at no charge.	Yes, Nextel/Sprint offers mobile-to-mobile plans for an additional $5 per month. However, unlimited walkie-talkie (push-to-talk) service is included for no additional charge.	Yes, Verizon Wireless offers mobile-to-mobile plans at no charge.	Yes, T-Mobile offers mobile to mobile calling on all of its highly competitive pooling plans. Mobile to mobile calling is offered as an additional charge on other plans.

   
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3. What are the rates for long distance?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   All AT&T Mobility  voice plans include domestic long distance at no charge.  International long distance rates are billed based on the country from which the user is receiving or placing a call.	No Nextel/Sprint domestic long distance charges are incurred on the recommended rate plans. International long distance rates are billed based on the country from which the user is receiving or placing a call.	Verizon Wireless international long distance rates apply depending on the country from which the customer is roaming when the call or voice mail is received or placed.	All T-Mobile voice plans include nationwide long distance at no charge. International long distance rates are billed based upon the country from which the user is receiving or placing a call.

   
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4. What additional charges would be included on the monthly invoice?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   AT&T Mobility universal service fees vary based on the amount the user is billed, cost recovery fees, text messaging and Cingular 411.	Nextel/Sprint additional charges include Federal excise, universal service fees (based on billed charges), government taxes and fees required to collect, recovery fees, overages (if applicable). Incidental fees include:  international calls, directory assistance, call forwarding, group connect, talk groups, text messaging/SMS, data and third party services, equipment and accessory purchases (if billed to account)	Verizon Wireless  monthly additional charges include Federal excise, universal service fees, 911 (varies by jurisdiction), surcharges and fees required to collect, charges to recover or help defray costs of taxes and governmental surcharges and fees.	T-Mobile additional charges include Federal Excise and government taxes or fees which T-Mobile is required to collect. Other incidental fees vary by rate plan.

   
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5. Is there a termination fee if a user changes providers?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   AT&T Mobility charges no termination fees.	Nextel/Sprint charges no termination fees.	Verizon Wireless charges no termination fees.	T-Mobile charges no termination fees.

   
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6. How much advance notice is required to activate international coverage?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   Requests to AT&T Mobility must be made 48 hours in advance to add the coverage.	Requests to Nextel/Sprint must be made 48 hours in advance notice to activate and test feature.	Verizon Wireless has no requirement for advance notice to activate international coverage.	T-Mobile does not require advance notice for international coverage. T-Mobile does offer reduced international data roaming with 24 hour advance notice.

   
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7. What is the replacement policy for devices?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   Devices less than a month old can be replaced through the AT&T Mobility sales representative.  If the device within the one year warranty, the customer can call Exchange by Mail at (800) 801-1101 to ship out a new device.	Ordered replacements are delivered 24-48 hours after placing the order with Nextel/Sprint.	For manufacturer defects within the first year, Verizon will replace the device at no cost to the customer. After the first year, there is a $50.00 replacement charge.  Replacements are shipped by standard shipping-2 day delivery.	T-Mobile devices may be replaced within a 14 or 30 day window at no charge with a 24 to 48 hour delivery window.

   
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8. Is invoice reporting information available on each provider’s web site?
   
   

   AT&T Mobility	Nextel / Sprint	Verizon Wireless	T-Mobile USA
   Invoice reporting information is not available on the AT&T Mobility web site.	Registered account managers can access account invoices for the previous three months on Sprint/Nextel's web site.	Customer invoice reporting is available on Verizon’s web site.	Invoice reporting is available on line for T-Mobile accounts. T-Mobile invoices may be customized for specific customer needs.

   
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