Earlier this week, Verizon Wireless improved their prepay plans with an increase in data allowances for customers. The $60 plan saw data increase to 6 GB a month, including a 1 GB boost through using the Auto Top Up. Verizon, America’s largest carrier, had previously dismissed the prepaid market at something it was not particularly interested in, but this U-turn may signify something of a change. And today, Sprint’s prepaid carrier, Boost Mobile, has launched a range of improved plans designed for families, offered on a time limited basis – these offers are available until early July 2016. Sprint had been quiet with their Boost Mobile prepaid option and many industry commentators were not expecting any major development until the relaunch of the Virgin prepaid network, due later this year.
The plans are structured around multiple lines sharing a pooled 10 GB of high speed (LTE) data allowance with unlimited calling and texting. Prices start from $70 a month, which covers two lines. After the 10 GB of data has been used, Boost Mobile throttles data speeds to 2G levels for the remainder of the month – and for customers roaming off the Boost network, calls are limited to fifty minutes a month. Customers wanting three lines will pay $95, four lines is $120 and for five lines, it’s $145 a month. However, for customers the Auto Re-Boost option (which automatically pays the costs) will qualify for a $5 a month credit on the second and subsequent months. Furthermore, customers installing and using the Boost Dealz application also benefit from a further $5 a month saving, so customers could be paying $135 a month for five lines of unlimited calling and the equivalent of 2 GB of LTE speed data per line. Boost describe the Boost Dealz application as providing Android customers with “exclusive content and offers,” which are displayed on the unlock screen of the device.
Boost Mobile’s plans also offer the ability to continue to receive free incoming calls and text messages even after their credit expires, which could be handy for those forgetful families! For those customers interested in streaming music, Boost also offer unlimited streaming with Pandora, Slacker Radio, iHeartRadio, Samsung Milk Music and 8tracks services, but the carrier has plans to add more music services in due course.