Amp'd FAQ's
From HowardForums Wiki
Amp'd Training Website - http://www.cyberscholar.com/ampdmobile They have a lot of info under their resources page with many different PDF's explaining about Amp'd service.
About Amp'd
Launched in late 2005, Amp'd Mobile premiered its broadband wireless service (EVDO), combining clarity and coverage with the fastest download speeds in North America, thanks to full access to Verizon’s towers and roaming partners. Amp'd offers traditional services such as voice and text within a completely fresh user interface designed just for third-generation technology. With fully customizable handsets and content, Amp'd brings a more relevant, personal experience to the wireless lifestyle with unique music, video, community, entertainment, sports and gaming plus pricing plans that make sense.
Rates:
See Amp'd Rates wiki.
Rebates:
Rebates generally come though, EVENTUALLY. Young America, the clearinghouse that Amp'd uses for rebate card fulfillment is notorious for taking inordinately long periods of time to fulfill the rebate.
Insider contact info for Young America:
- Kim Bunke
- Client Research Associate
- Phone No. 952-467-1722
- Fax No. 952-467-1767
- kim.bunke@young-america.com
Please make sure you have waited the designated amount of time before calling
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Who is the founder and CEO?
A: Peter Adderton. Prior to Amp'd, Adderton founded and created the highly successful youth wireless brand Boost Mobile. Under his leadership, Boost launched in Australia in 2000 and expanded to New Zealand and the United States, partnering with three different carriers across three technology platforms (CDMA, GSM and iDen.) Adderton grew the Boost brand to become one of the fastest growing wireless brands in its category in all markets
Q: What is the phone number for Amp'd Corporate?
A: 310-575-2500 or Toll Free 877-840-5229 (which takes you directly to the dealer service line queue)
Q: What is the phone number for Amp'd Customer Service?
A: On your cellphone it is: 611. If you are calling from a land line it is: 866-811-0091
Q: When will there be retail stores available?
A: Amp’d utilizes retail space at popular retailers such as Best Buy (for Contract Plans) and Circuit City (for their prepaid line). Additionally, authorized dealers can be located at amp’ds website.
Q: Will we be able to purchase equipment there?
A: Absolutely! Best Buy has an advantage of often offering “instant discounts” rather than mail-in rebates.
Q: Is Amp'd in any way affiliated with Verizon.
A: No. Amp'd just rents airtime from this company rather than building towers of its own which would be cost-prohibitive.
Q:What do you mean by rent airtime?
A: We just use Verizon’s network. Meaning wherever there is Verizon coverage you will be covered also. Even in areas that are considered “extended network” on Verizon’s America’s Choice II map. Although in “extended network” areas, only voice will work.
Q: So does this mean if somewhere there is no Verizon coverage I won't be covered?
A: Pretty much anywhere Verizon has coverage on it’s America’s Choice Network, Amp’d will also have coverage.
Q: While roaming will there be fee's involved?
A: No. Roaming is FREE.
Q: Credit Check?
A: As with pretty much any wireless company, Credit Checks are part of the process of setting up a post-paid account. Credit requirements are generally considered more “lax” than other providers, given that many people that fit within Amp’ds demographic have little to no established credit. If you are denied, and do not wish to pay a deposit, Amp’d has a Prepaid plan that might be more suited to your needs.
Q: Will Amp'd ever offer prepaid?
A: Amp’d turned the wireless prepaid industry on its ear mid 2006 with the launch of the nation’s first 3G pay-as-you-go service. Rates are 10 cents a minute, anywhere, any time, all the time. Phones are available at very affordable rates after mail-in rebates.
Q:What is the difference between the Angel and the Jet.
A: They are functionally the same. Kyocera’s KX-18 handset is simply offered in two versions- “Jet” black, and a sort of iPod white.
Q: Would you say the Angel is more of a girl phone?
A: Several male members of howardforums have reported that the Angel has actually gotten the attention of girls, and has become a conversation starter. =) So it depends.
Q: While watching videos on the phone will they be choppy?
A: Most of the time, not at all. They run at broadband speeds so it will be sort of like watching video clips on your computer-sometime choppy and other times smooth, depending on the signal strength, data speeds at that particular time, etcetera. But most of the time the videos play just great!
Q:How much are overage charges on airtime usage?
A: 45 cents a minute for the AMP’d 500, Amp’d 1000, and End the Boredom plans, 40 cents a minute for Amp’d 1500, 25 cents a minute for Amp’d 3000, and, of course, with the unlimited plans, there’s no such thing as an overage!
Q: Overage charges on megabytes?
A: Data on Amp’d is charged a flat rate of $.30 per mb. This is a far greater value than any other carrier out there. To sweeten the pot, however, several add-ons include unlimited data for the Featured Plans. If you add Amp’d TV, Radio, Overload, or Overdose to any Featured plan, it includes Unlimited Free Data!
Q: Are the Angel/Jet bulky?
A: Not at all they are quite as they appear in the photos. Fit in your hand great.
Q:Can we watch full length movies, videos, etc?.
A:Movies; not yet (maybe in the future?) .Videos; YES. TV: YES! Some channels are live, streaming channels just like you would watch on your cable or satellite (Fox News, and a few others) Others, are simply a variety of clips that eventually repeat.
Q: Downloading music?
A: Yes there are full-length music downloads available for purchase at very affordable rates.
Q: Does Amp'd allow tethering?
A; At the moment, Tethering is expressly against Amp’ds terms of service (TOS). However, the Amp’d Jet/Angel phone can tether out of the box with a USB cable and the right drivers. This practice is not condoned, as it is against the TOS and does open the door for the possibility that they could cancel your account and charge you an ETF for this violation. But, in practice, there have been no reports of this happening. So let your conscience be your guide. The MOTOrazr Amp’d Edition can tether with a few modifications, but not at broadband speeds. At this time, the Hollywood cannot be tethered. There have been rumors that with the release of the Amp’d branded version of the Q, tethering will be an allowed feature, but Amp’d won’t officially support the setup and use of this type of phone-as-modem setup. But at the moment there have been no confirmations that this author is aware of.
Q: Does Amp'd allow for people to use other CDMA phones.
A: No...And Yes. Amp’d officially only allows the Jet/Angel, Razr, and Hollywood phones on their network. However, through the process of social engineering, users have been reportedly been able to ‘dupe’ a CSR into adding a Verizon branded phone onto their account. Again, this is against Amp’ds TOS, and the benefits of doing so will be negligible. Any non-Amp’d branded phone that placed on an Amp’d account will lose the ability to access Amp’d live, and other features unique and pivotal to the Amp’d Experience.
Q: How can I check how many minutes I've used on my featured plan?
A: Unfortunately, at this time, you can't. Hybrid and Prepaid users can use the "Load Up" feature on their phone, however. Prepaid users can check the expiration date of their minutes by calling 1-888-294-6804.
Q: When will this feature be available?
A: We're not sure, but usually when something is in the works, the rumor mill will start up on the forum and you'll hear chatter about it weeks in advance. But you never know, they could surprise us any time.
Q: What if I order a phone but don't like it?
A: There is a return period of 30 days.
Q: Is there a Family Share Plan available?
A: Yes, there is. Amp’d has a unique system that is different than other providers. The way it works, is that two Feature Plans are combined and the minutes are pooled. The first 2 lines can be combined , Ampd 500 + Ampd 500 gives you 1000 shared minutes for just $60 a month. After you’ve picked your first 2 plans, add a 3rd, 4th or 5th line for just $10 a month. Share unlimited night calling among all lines for just $7 a month, and share unlimited calling between all lines in the family share plan.
Q: I heard Amp'd is getting the Motorola Q. Where can I get it?
A: Amp'd has released the Q for dealers to order on 3/27/07. So they should be available to the public in the next few days.
Q: How much will the Q Cost?
A: It's not set in stone, but we have it on good authority that it will cost $99 with activation of an 18 month contract.
Q: Will there be a phone upgrade program available, if I want to trade up to the Q when it comes out?
A: Yes There is a upgrade program available..
