Boost Mobile is a prepaid service provider that appeals to the young and hip target market. Their coverage is provided by Sprint and based in California. Boost Mobile has been providing prepaid services for the last six years.
Prepaid Plans
Boost Mobile has its Pay As You Go Plan that takes pride in its 10 cents per minute rate. Aside from its Basic Prepaid Plan, Boost Mobile also has a Prepaid Premium Plan that has higher minute and messages bundles for $30, $50 and $60 a month. Both Basic and Premium Plans can take advantage of the Chat Plan for only $1 a day.
Pros and Cons
There are many attractive add-on features that only require a low rate like their Chat Plan including other downloads for the youth market. Their rates are better especially for international text messages and same rates when calling outside Boost Mobile like those to Sprint and Nextel subscribers. However, their premium plans are not that different. The company only offers three premium monthly plans that are for $30, $50 and $60. Unfortunately, Boost mobile doesn’t offer free refurbished phone units for its subscribers.
Features
Minutes
Minutes are charged at 10 cents for all calls made within the calling area as well as between Boost, Nextel and Sprint subscribers. Same rates are applied for nights and weekends. The Premium Plans for $50 a month is inclusive of 400 airtime minutes while the $60 plan is good for 600 airtime minutes as well as unlimited minutes during nights and weekends. Exceeding minutes will incur the same charge of 10 cents per minute.
Data
All plans have web access for 35 cents a day and for unlimited usage. Whether or not the feature is used, 35 cents is deducted from the subscriber’s funds. A subscriber has to call Boost Mobile’s Customer Support to deactivate the feature to avoid the charges.
Text and picture
Text messages under are for 10 cents both for sent and received as well as international text messages. Premium plans can have added $10 per month for unlimited messages excluding international text messages and multi media messages. Depending on phone compatibility, picture, audio and video messages for both sent and received are for 25 cents per message.
International
There are different rates for their international calls which differ from one country to another. Rates range from 10 cents per minute to more $2.50per minute, visit Boost Mobile’s website for international calling rates for each country.
Calling Features
For both basic and premium prepaid plans, voicemail and caller Id are available. Calling rates are charged for voicemail.
Long distance
There are no long distance charges for prepaid basic and premium plans for $30 and $50. All calls as long as within the coverage area as well as mobile-to-mobile and to subscribers of Sprint and Nextel are charged like regular calls at 10 cents a minute. For the $60 premium, long distance calls are also included in total airtime minutes; exceeding minutes will incur the same rate of 10 cents.
911
Yes.
Payment Options
Adding minutes can be done by purchasing a refill card that is available online, accredited ATMs and in local retail stores. Credit cards, debit cards and checks are accepted and be configured for automatic billing.
Roaming charge
None, roaming is part of the total airtime minutes. For the Basic Prepaid plan, same rate applies.
Activation fee
None.
Minute expiration rules
Minutes will not expire as long as the account is recharged every 90 days. Accounts should remain active that is with sufficient amount within 60 days or else Boost Mobile will terminate the account.
Customer Service
For customer support and assistance, Boost Mobile subscriber can call a toll-free number or contact them via email. Email support will respond within 2 business days.
Phones
Phones for Boost Mobile are from Motorola like the Walkie-Talkie i776, i425e, i425t and i335.