Sprint to adopt 5GB bandwidth cap?

Looks like the last big U.S. wireless carrier to offer truly unlimited bandwidth for PC card users is about to impose a 5GB monthly usage cap, at least according to a (purported) leaked memo.

According to the leaked e-mail, Sprint will "reserve the right" to suspend (or otherwise "alter") the accounts of users who burn through 5GB of monthly data on their broadband cards, with the change to take effect on July 31. The memo also dictates a 300MB monthly cap while roaming off Sprint's network.

Up to now, Sprint hasn't spelled out a bandwidth cap, although there's a clause in its broadband contracts that says it may disconnect "heavy" data users. AT&T and Verizon Wireless already have 5GB bandwidth caps for PC card users, and they've been known to charge subscribers extra (or even terminate their accounts) for going over the limit. 

In any case, Sprint has yet to make any official announcement, and it's still not clear what "reserve the right" means—that is, whether the 5GB cap (if it is, indeed, happening) will be a hard-and-fast limit, or if the cap will only be enforced for serious bandwidth hogs.

Still, the leak doesn't bode well for those who've been using Sprint broadband cards to substitute for standard DSL and cable modems. After all, a single HD movie download is about 4-5GB, which would practically bust your monthly allowance right there.

There is one possible silver lining to the story, however—you might be able to get out of your Sprint broadband contract without penalties thanks to the terms-of-service change. Stay tuned.

Related:
Sprint To Impose 5GB Monthly EVDO Cap [DSLreports]
Reader Mail: Best Plans for Broadband Cards?  [Yahoo! Tech]