Boost Mobile FAQs: 7 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

You might have seen the commercials over the years for Boost Mobile, they have been around for a long time now, since 2001 in fact, but it wasn’t until a few years later that they really started making a name for themselves when their commercials started coming out. Originally marketing towards late teens and young adults, 90s and 2000s kids will remember the signature “Where You At?” slogan started by Fat Joe the American Rapper in this iconic commercial featuring his animal talking capabilities. Commercials aside, we wanted to take a look at Boost Mobile today to help you decide whether or not this carrier is right for you, so let’s get started.

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of Boost Mobile and what they offer. Here’s what to expect:

• A quick summary of Boost Mobile
• Boost Mobile’s coverage
• Their plans and prices
• Services and features provided
• Boost Mobile versus competition
• How you can get in contact with their customer service
• Review summary

1. Boost Mobile: A Quick Summary

Boost Mobile has gone through a lot of changes over the years but as of July 2024 we think they finally found their footing with their most recent merger of their previous partner Boost Infinite. 

Boost Infinite was a postpaid wireless company that was the “sister” of Boost Mobile, which was entirely its own separate service. Back when the Sprint and T-Mobile merger was afoot, Dish Network ended up getting into the ring and fought to acquire Boost Mobile, they ended up successfully doing so in the summer of 2020. And just two years later the open beta of Boost Infinite was brought into the world with full access to customers released in the following year.

However, in July of 2024, it was announced that the parent company of both Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite would merge, combining its Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite subsidiaries into one brand: Boost Mobile.

Originally Boost Mobile just had prepaid plans, while Boost Infinite just had postpaid plans, but now it’s all under one name: Boost Mobile, and Boost does both prepaid and postpaid cell phone plans now. 

Boost Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Boost Mobile is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. 

A REALLY Tip: MVNO Edition

If you are unfamiliar with MVNO’s, you should know that they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. 

• Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

• Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

2. Boost Mobile’s Coverage

Since Boost Mobile has multiple network providers, coverage is dependent on compatibility and location. You may be under just T-Mobile or AT&T, or you could have multiple thanks to the “rainbow SIM” (A rainbow SIM card functions the same as a regular SIM card but instead of it being linked to one wireless provider it can instead link and switch between a few different carriers- providing the user with coverage from multiple different cell towers). More information can be found from Boost’s website and Help Center.

Since Boost works with multiple providers, here’s a quick look into how their individual coverage compares to the other:

T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. So you can expect some pretty solid 5G speeds for any MVNO under the T-Mobile umbrella. Their 4G LTE isn’t as widespread as their two major competitors, Verizon and AT&T, but it’s by no means a dealbreaker. 

AT&T are very much considered to be the “middle of the pack” when comparing it directly to Verizon and T-Mobile. Their 4G LTE sits comfortably between the two, behind Verizon but ahead of T-Mobile, and their 5G network is above Verizon but below T-Mobile. 

• There isn’t a ton of concrete information on the Dish Wireless Network but what we do know now is qualifying Boost customers will become a part of America’s Smart Network™ which is “a nationwide ecosystem of the most advanced network coverage in the palm of your hand,” built by Dish Network. TLDR: It looks like anywhere your 5G coverage may dip, Dish Wireless may pick up some of the slack if available.

Another good way to look at your coverage options is to go directly to the source and see what the Boost coverage map looks like from the website themselves, then you can see the Boost Coverage Map here. We’ve taken a look in the past at the Boost Brand and answered the question: Does Boost Mobile Have Good Coverage?

3. Boost Mobile’s Plans and Prices

Boost Mobile offers unlimited talk and texting options with any plan of their five unlimited plans you choose. The company deprioritizes data, which you know means you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Boost’s Unlimited Plans

Boost offers three regular unlimited plans and two special “infinite” access unlimited plans for its users. 

We’re talking only about Boost’s postpaid plans, meaning you pay for the previous month of service after you use it. They offer five plans in total, each one is unlimited. Additional add-ons, like hotspot access and extra high speed data, cost $10 per month. Their QCI tier is 7 on T-Mobile, 8 on AT&T, and 9 on Dish.

You can have up to five lines on an account. If you purchase your phone from Boost, your device will be locked until you pay off your phone. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not with the advertised price.

Boost also has two other unlimited plans called “Infinite Access for iPhone” and “Infinite Access for Galaxy” which we will go over in detail after we take a look at Boost’s base unlimited plans:

Plan One: Unlimited

This plan offers 30GB of high-speed, premium data, and as of October 2024- it’s 50% off for your first month.

This plan offers 30GB of high speed, premium data before slowing to unlimited data at 512kbps, or 3G speeds. 3G speeds still allow you to browse the internet and send texts or emails, but streaming videos may be more difficult. The plan does not include hotspot access, but an add-on is available for $10 per month. You can use up to 30GB in hotspot data with the add-on. 

The plan normally costs $25 per month, but for the first month it is $12.50. After your first month however, you will pay $25/mo unless you go online or call to cancel. At the normal rate of $25/mo, you get 30GB at $0.83 per GB. 

Plan Two: Unlimited+

This plan has a mobile hotspot attached.

This plan offers 40GB of high speed, premium data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan does have hotspot access which takes data from your monthly unlimited package. This plan has up to $300 Device Savings according to their page.

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 40GB at $1.25 per GB. 

Plan Three: Unlimited Premium

This plan has 50GB of high-speed, premium data.

This plan offers 50GB of high speed, premium data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan also has hotspot access which again, takes data from your monthly unlimited package. This plan has up to $430 Device Savings according to their page. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1.20 per GB. 

Next we have Boost’s “Infinite Access for iPhone” and “Infinite Access for Galaxy” plans:

These two plans are under their “Buy Now, Pay Later” section where every year you’ll be able to save up to $1000 on a brand new iPhone and $800 on a brand new Samsung Galaxy. Then you can sign up for their “Buy Now, Pay Later” program where they require Autopay and a soft credit check at account creation.

Plan Four: Infinite Access for iPhone

This plan gets you limited time $1000 off of all iPhone 16 models.

This plan offers 30GB of high speed, premium data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. The plan does not include hotspot access, but an add-on is available for $10 per month, where you can use up to 30GB in hotspot data with the add-on. 

When you purchase an Infinite Access for iPhone plan you will pick and buy your iPhone (you can choose $0 down today + taxes, or pay for the phone fully at check-out), and then every year you can request a free annual upgrade where Boost will send you the new iPhone and you send your old one back.

The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $2.16 per GB. 

Plan Five: Infinite Access for Galaxy

This plan gets you up to $800 in device savings.

This plan also offers 30GB of high speed, premium data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. The plan does not include hotspot access, but an add-on is available for $10 per month, where you can use up to 30GB in hotspot data with the add-on. 

Just like Infinite Access for iPhone, when you purchase an Infinite Access for Galaxy plan you will pick and buy your Galaxy (choose $0 down today + taxes, or pay for the phone fully at check-out), and then every year you can request a free annual upgrade where Boost will send you the new Galaxy and you send your old one back.

The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $2.16 per GB.

4. Boost Mobile’s Features

While this carrier offers pretty good deals for their customers, there are some differences in the features and benefits that may entice you to pick this one over another. If you’re a frequent traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get: 

• Domestic Roaming Data

• Boost Mobile plan includes “100 minutes per month of domestic voice roaming, all at no additional charge. International voice, SMS texting, and data roaming aren't covered” as per their website.

• Mexico & Canada Connection

• Boost’s Unlimited Premium, Infinite Access for iPhone, and Infinite Access for Galaxy plans comes with unlimited talk & text and 5GB of data while roaming in Canada and Mexico. To get talk, text, and data to Mexico and Canada on their other plans, users can purchase an additional add-on for $10 per month. 

• International Connection

• Every Boost plan except for their base $25/mo. Unlimited plan comes with Global Talk & Text. There is an additional add-on users can purchase for $10 per month for their other plan.

• Video Streaming Quality

• All plans from Boost stream at 480p Standard Definition. 

• Streaming Services and Cloud Storage

• Boost does not offer these features.

• Device Financing

• If you buy a phone from Boost, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. In order to pay for it in installments overtime, you will need to qualify for their “Buy Now, Pay Later” program. 

• WiFi Calling

• Boost offers WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.

• Spam Protection and Free Trial

• Boost does not offer these features.

5. Boost Mobile Versus Competition

It seems like everywhere you turn you run into a new cell phone provider wanting you amongst their customers. So it’s safe to say that like many others, Boost Mobile has some competition from their own network providers and other MVNOs alike. Here are a few of their match-ups:

Boost Mobile vs. T-Mobile

Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network to provide connection to its users, so the service itself is the same, but Boost Mobile users will suffer from the same data deprioritization that all MVNOs do. And when that happens T-Mobile customers who are signed up directly through them won’t have their speeds affected.

T-Mobile however is much more expensive than Boost, which could be a dealbreaker to many. Boost Mobile’s Infinite Access plans are great as you get the latest iPhone and Galaxy each year for free. We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Boost Mobile vs. Mint Mobile

Both Boost and Mint Mobile are a part of the T-Mobile family which means the coverage you’re getting is the same, however both suffer from data deprioritization, so there’s no big difference so far. What users can note though is Mint Mobile’s $30 Unlimited plan is big for money savers if you don’t mind a 12 month contract, while Boost’s prices are on the higher side and you aren’t always under T-Mobile’s coverage since Boost works with two other providers. Mint Mobile may have Boost beat here.

Boost Mobile vs. Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless uses AT&T to provide coverage to customers and Boost Mobile also uses select AT&T coverage for its customers, so coverage is balanced out there. One thing to note from Cricket is their benefits, they offer more features included with their plans, such as premium data, hotspot access, and cloud storage. But if you love your yearly phone upgrades- Boost’s Infinite Access plans are your go-to.

6. Boost Mobile Customer Service

Boost Mobile has multiple stores in the country, you can use their store locator to find the closest one near you. They also offer support over the phone at (833) 212-6678.

7. Boost Mobile: Review Summary

If you go for Boost Mobile we think the best choice is with Boost’s Infinite Access for iPhone and Infinite Access for Galaxy plans. Boost Mobile’s Unlimited+ plan is also a great option for average phone users. However, if you want limited data and don’t need many features, then you may need to look elsewhere. 

The Good:

• Boost Mobile has two incredible plans for phone users who are always upgrading their phones to the latest models: their Infinite Access plans.
• If you get their Rainbow SIM you get your choice in network coverage.
• Boost has a big phone selection that is compatible with their service.
• There’s no contract with their plans.

The Bad:

• You will be subject to data deprioritization which means your data speeds could be inconsistent when you’re out in public not on wifi.
• These plans, for a MVNO, are a bit pricey, a few dollars more and you can get on a major network’s plan which is less likely to have data deprioritization.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

We’ve taken a look and looked at Boost Mobile Reviews before and covered even more about them through here on our REALLY Boost Mobile section.

And if you want to compare and contrast Boost Mobile to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.