Important Changes To BREW
We appreciate your business! One of the most interesting changes in the wireless industry is how we depend on our mobile phones for so much more than calling. Our records indicate you have used “BREW” to download personalization options, mobile applications and games for your phone, and this correspondence will outline some recent developments.
As technology has progressed, developers today are much more focused on creating content, games, and applications for smartphones rather than for traditional phones. Unfortunately, that means BREW services will no longer be supported after 5/21/2013. Here are important dates to be aware of:
- BREW subscriptions will not be available after 4/23/2013.
- Please use remaining BREW credits by no later than 5/21/2013.
- BREW subscriptions will not be billed after 6/12/2013.
The BREW icon will remain on your phone, but it will not allow access to the BREW catalog. If you try to use the BREW icon, the phone will attempt to connect, and you may incur data charges.
Some applications may continue to operate as they do today, as long as the content providers continue to support them and as long as they are not deleted from your phone. However, there will be no updates to these applications.
We apologize for any inconvenience, and we will inform you of new services and applications for your phone as they come available. If you are interested in a new phone with many possibilities for applications and personalization, please consider upgrading to a new smartphone. Smartphones will keep you connected to e-mail, social networks and time saving applications on the go! We currently have a great selection of smartphones available. Please call 611 or visit a retail store for more details. Thank you again for your business!
Here are some important FAQs.
BREW Catalog and Applications
Q: What happens when I select the BREW catalog on my phone?
A: You will receive an error message such as “Unable to retrieve catalog. Please try again later.” The error messages will vary by phone model.
Q: Will I be charged if I try to connect to the BREW catalog once it is discontinued?
A: Yes, the phone is still trying to connect to the BREW service using data. Charges could apply if there is no data package to cover the usage.
Q: What happens if I want to purchase more credits in the app or the app needs an update?
A: Because there is no longer a connection to BREW, applications will not be able to update. You will not be able to purchase additional ringtone credits or other transactions requiring a connection to the BREW catalog.
Q: What happens to the applications already downloaded to my phone?
A: All BREW applications will remain on the handset, if you do not delete them. All applications will continue to function properly. Data centric applications, like weather and sports, requiring a data connection to refresh information will continue to function properly. In some cases the application developer may block the connection when BREW is terminated.
Q: What if I have unused credits available?
A: Please use your credits no later than 5/21/2013. Credits remaining after that time cannot be redeemed or refunded.
Q: What if I downloaded ringtones and wallpapers to my phone?
A: For as long as you have your phone, you will not lose your downloaded ringtones and wallpapers.
Q: Will the BREW catalog icon be removed from my phone?
A: Phones will continue to have the BREW catalog icon. It cannot be removed.
Alternative Services
Q: Where can I get ringtones or wallpapers or feature phone applications?
A: Premium shortcode services for ringtones and wallpapers will are available for nTelos postpay customers. Go to Thumbplay for more details. For FRAWG customers, ringtones and wallpapers are unavailable. For applications, like games and weather, there is no available application alternative for feature phones. However, nTelos Mobile Web offers links to online mobile games, weather, and more.
Billing
Q: Will I continue to get billed BREW subscriptions?
A: On 6/10/13, nTelos will end all subscription billing on behalf of the subscriber.
Q: Can I get a refund on a BREW application purchased 60 days before the service is shut down?
A: No. The BREW application will continue to work after the BREW catalog is shut down.