SprintPCS Technical Support

After setting up and testing network monitoring software for one of our co-lo sites, it became apparent that mx.messaging.sprintpcs.com was rejecting connections from the monitoring server. I used typical methods, which include using telnet to connect to the SMTP port while analyzing the connection with a packet sniffer, to determine that the problem was with Sprint’s messaging server. It is fairly obvious that mx.messaging.sprintpcs.com closes the connection immediately after the initial TCP connection handshake. Another person shares his experience with this problem, and he can only wish that others fare better than him.

Dealing with Sprint’s front line technical support is pretty wearisome. The experience parallels the “our computer must be right (and you must be wrong)” scenario that was popularized throughout the 80s. One support representative stated, “You’re doing too much to send out text messages and making it hard for yourself.” I expressed my opinion that I would be better served by a person who did not see difficulty in resolving the problem. I was later contacted by a network engineer with knowledge of Internet protocols and using SMS over their SMTP server. He was better equipped to investigate the problem on their side, and he was very capable of helping me with any issues on my side. He actually introduced me to SenderBase, a spam monitoring service that is supposedly used by many large ISPs to minimize spam. The problem was ultimately resolved, and I continue to be a content Sprint subscriber.

One thing that I relearned from the front line technical support representative is the need to treat every problem with some attention. Because a problem seems typical, it is easy to resort to scripted responses. This might be a knee-jerk reaction that is rooted in a combination of both laziness and misplaced pride. Over the phone, the front line technical support representative sounded very authoritative with years of experience in her position and required some persuasion in forwarding my trouble ticket to a network engineer. Only through a more careful investigation can a problem be found to require a new solution.

I, too, served on technical support’s front line. Control of the conversation is very important. Effort needs to be made by both parties in keeping the dialogue from degenerating into a shoutfest. After all, in the typical case, the technical support representative accepts outbreaks from the outraged client as part of their job and simply shrugs it off at the end of the day. With a reasonably calm voice, it is almost always better to seek out solutions and keep communication open when forced to do so over the phone. Talking with a phone representative should always support the underlying objective of trying all available options, which is inhibited by frustration and raised voices.

8 Responses to “SprintPCS Technical Support”

  1. Deb Says:

    I received a text from hope@vpls.net to go to Dianne.gaitdeed.com. How do I stop porn and other spam from coming to my cell from the idiots that have nothing better to do? My granddaughter uses my phone (she is 8) and I hate for her to see all this! How Do they get a listing of cell numbers? Does Sprint sell them? Please send me a response to my email: ABABYDEB1@AOL.COM

    Thanks

  2. VERY ANNOYED!! Says:

    Latley i have been recieving text messages from diferent email addresses with a web cite address and when i go to the webcite it’s something about viagra. I am a 20 year old female i did not sign up for anything like this. How am i recievimg these messages and how do i stop them?!

  3. Marv Says:

    What’s this?
    I got a text message from frances@gncbeng
    the content (after I fwd it to my email) is as follows:

    Someone sent you a special message :) visit http://www.leapokay.com

    It’s me.

    So. How do we stop such Spam?

  4. Adam Says:

    How in the world do i down laod a song into my black berry curve 8330?????????????????????????????????????????????????? HELP!

  5. Steve Says:

    @marcus

    At senderbase.org you need to make sure that your server is not on their spam server list. My issue was resolved by making sure that the advertised server name (that is given in the EHLO/HELO line in the SMTP protocol) matched my reverse DNS.

  6. marcus Says:

    We are having a similar problem with sending text messages to xxxxxxx@messaging.sprintpcs.com from our email server.

    While we were also referred to senderbase.org, I couldn’t find anything there that would help our problem.

    What did you do through SenderBase and/or Sprint tech support to get your issue resolved. I’ve spent many hours on the phone with Sprint and haven’t gotten anywhere…

  7. Steve Says:

    @joan

    I guess your option would be to call up tech support and have them prevent your phone from receiving SMS.

  8. joan Says:

    my phone keeps sending me messages on train updates such as delays and weather conditions, I would like to stop receiving these texts, apparently the person who owned the phone or number before was getting it sent to her phone is there any way you can help me!?

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