Boost Mobile
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CNET Editors' Take
Boost Mobile is a youth-oriented carrier that runs on Sprint Nextel's network.
Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.
Boost Mobile is an MVNO that is wholly owned by Sprint Nextel. It serves 4 million customers in 49 states. Though originally it marketed its service toward a young, ... Expand full review
Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.
Boost Mobile is an MVNO that is wholly owned by Sprint Nextel. It serves 4 million customers in 49 states. Though originally it marketed its service toward a young, urban audience, Boost is now geared toward all budget-minded consumers and serves as the prepaid resource for Sprint Nextel customers. As such, it does not require contracts or credit checks. The primary monthly plan offers unlimited calling, messaging, and Web browsing, but customers also can pay by the minute or by the day. The carrier offers CDMA and iDEN phones, the latter of which feature push-to-talk services. Originally launched in both New Zealand and Australia in 2001, Boost USA launched in 2003.
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As a senior managing editor for CNET, Kent German heads up the CNET Reviews team in San Francisco. Formerly a cell phone reviewer, he still blogs about wireless news and offers his take on the wireless industry. When not at work, he's planning his next trip to Australia, going for a run, or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
User Reviews
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Most Helpful User Review
stars 11 of 16 users found this review helpful
"BOOST MOBILE IS DECENT! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!" By beerboy18
Pros 1. NO PHONE CONTRACTS/ OR CREDIT CHECKS
2. $50 A MONTH /UNLIMITED TEXT, WEB, WALKIE TALKIE,& NATIONWIDE MINUTES
3. NO HIDDEN CHARGES ($50 IS 50 BUCKS) NO ROAMING
4. TEXT MESSAGING SEEMS TO WORK INSTANTLY!
5. WALKIE TALKIE WORKS FINE!
Cons 1. PIC MESSAGES SAYS YOU SEND THEM BUT THEY DONT GO THROUGH TO PEOPLE
2. THERE PHONES ARENT WEB FRIENDLY
3. PHONES ARE ALL OLD SCHOOL... LIKE 7 YEARS IN THE PAST.
4. PHONE SIGNAL IS DECENT BUT VARIES...DEFF NO VERIZON, SPRINT, ETC..
5. WEB SUCKS
Summary IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A DECENT PHONE SERVICES, WITH NO CREDIT CHECK, AND HATE THE HIDDEN CHARGES, AND JUST CARE ABOUT TALKING AND TEXTING, AND WALKIE TALKIE BOOST IS FOR YOU....IF YOUR GETTING FOR THE INTERNET...THEN GO ELSE WHERE...(UNLESS U HACK A SMART PHONE AND PUT IT ... Expand full review
Most Recent User Reviews (Showing 2 of 148 reviews)
Where to Buy
Please see CNET's Cell phone plan finder to purchase a phone with Boost Mobile