Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that serves the United States. Targeted squarely at the younger demographic interested in hip hop music, baggy jeans, and the like, Boost Mobile may not feature as prominently in people's minds when it comes to choosing a cellular service provider as Cingular or Verizon, but it is still a very viable option, especially for those of you who are fans of real-time chat via the innovative Push-to-Talk walkie-talkie service?

Boost Mobile Walkie-Talkie: Where You At?

Boost Mobile's tag line is "Where You At?", reminding people that the company's biggest selling point is its walkie-talkie service (sometimes referred to as "Chirp"). Boost Mobile operates on the Sprint-Nextel network, more specifically making use of the iDEN technology implemented by Nextel. As iDEN was developed and marketed by Motorola, each and every one of Boost Mobile's cell phones is produced by the big M.

While the Nextel walkie-talkie service is marketed at corporate business users who need to keep in touch with their entire team at the same time (the group-based walkie-talkie service features quite prominently on the hit television series The Apprentice with Donald Trump), Boost Mobile is much more youth-oriented, and as such, their slogan is very "hip" sounding: "Where You At?" Friends can keep in touch all across the city, better organizing meets at the skate park, movie theatre, shopping mall, or wherever their lives may lead them.

Unlike the Family Radio Service (FRS)-based walkie-talkies which connect directly with one another, the Boost Mobile walkie-talkie service operates over a cellular network. It is still a "half-duplex" system, in which only one person can transmit at a time while several other people can listen, but what this means is that the individuals involved do not need to be physically close to one another.

Cell Phones Offered

At this time, Boost Mobile offers seven different handsets, all of which are manufactured by Motorola. Six of them are flip phones, with the i415 being the only candybar of the bunch. Naturally, all seven phones feature Boost Mobile's walkie-talkie service, and as a result, all have rather powerful speakerphone capabilities as well. Here is a brief run-down of some of their currently available cell phones:

• i865: It's fashionable, it's "champagne colored", and it's got all the latest features that you could lust after, including an integrated camera (with video) and a built-in music player. The external controls make navigating your MP3 collection a breeze on this, Boost's most expensive handset.

• i855: While it may not be able to replace your standalone MP3 player, the i855 does support MP3 ringtones, and will keep you heading in the right direction thanks to its GPS capabilities. Other key features include a camera with 4x digital zoom, Boost Messenger (for all your instant messaging junkies), and mobile web.

• i835W: If you like the glossy white look of an Apple iPod, then you'll enjoy the appearance of the i835W (which is also available in black as the i835, and in a rather unique casing as the i835G). Key features include one-touch speed dial, "My Pictures", voice notes, and a customized phone menu.

• i415: The lone candybar of the group is also the least expensive. Naturally, this means that it has the least features and arguably the least attractive design. It still has a large color display, GPS capabilities, pre-installed Java games, and a picture viewer.

Boost Mobile Cell Plans

The cellular plans offered through Boost Mobile fall into two categories:

• Pay As You Go: Don't plan on using your Boost Mobile cell phone too much? Then you can save yourself a few bucks and pay as you go, working out your monthly charge on a minute-to-minute or day-to-day basis. There are no monthly bills, no credit checks, or long-term contracts. Like Nextel, Boost also does not tack on any extra charges for roaming or long distance. The basic charge is $0.20/minute for Monday to Friday, 7am to 9pm. Outside of that time (i.e., evenings and weekends), the charge is cut in half to $0.10/minute as this is "Boost Time". It costs $1.00/day to make use of the Boost Walkie-Talkie service, and $0.35/day to enjoy Boost Wireless Web.

• Premium Prepaid: This is definitely the way to for heavier users. All three of the premium prepaid plans included unlimited walkie-talkie, with varying amounts of included minutes. For $10 more each month, you can add on unlimited text messages and wireless web. The three plans are as follows:
  • $30: No included minutes, but you are charged on Boost Time ($0.10/minute) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • $50: 400 included minutes; additional airtime for the usual national charge.
  • $70: 600 included minutes; additional airtime for the usual national charge.

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