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Boost Mobile Says It’s No Longer an MVNO but the Newest Nationwide 5G Carrier

Boost Mobile Summit 5G
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Boost Mobile has issued a press release to various outlets, including BestMVNO, announcing several brand updates. First, the company wants to be recognized not as an MVNO but as the 'newest 5G nationwide network.' According to the release, Boost's 5G network now covers over 70% of the population, reaching 99% when including its roaming partners (AT&T, & T-Mobile). As the newest carrier network, Boost positions itself as the 'next challenger brand in wireless' offering a faster and more reliable 5G network with savings of up to 40% compared to other carriers. The company plans to invest $10 billion in network infrastructure for its continued build-out.

“Boost Mobile is shaking up the wireless industry as the newest nationwide carrier in the U.S., providing fast and reliable 5G connectivity at a fraction of the cost compared to other major carriers,” said Abbas Khan, VP of Radio Access Network Engineering at Boost Mobile. “With our nationwide cloud-native 5G network now available and 99% coverage across the U.S., Boost Mobile customers have access to more towers than with any other carrier. There has never been a better time for consumers to switch to Boost Mobile, as consumers can buy the latest smartphones and save up to 40% on their annual wireless bill.”

Boost Mobile has also launched an exclusive new device, the Summit 5G. Priced at $94.99, it is free for switchers from another carrier and $19.99 for new lines and upgrades. It is of course compatible with Boost's 5G Network and a device they'll push to try and load new customers onto its network.

The Summit 5G features:

  • 6.6" HD+ screen
  • Dual main cameras including a 13Mp main shooter and a 2MP depth sensor
  • 5MP selfie camera
  • Powered by a Mediatek MT6853V/ZA 2.2GHz Octa-core processor and a large 5000 mAh battery.
  • Includes charger and USB-C cable
  • 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage
  • Android 14 is installed

In this author's opinion, the Summit 5G holiday launch offer is the real story, most everything else has been said by DISH/EchoStar/Boost Mobile in previous years and months. Here's a recap:

  • May 2018 - Charlie Ergen, then DISH Network's Chairman of the Board (and now EchoStar's), claimed his company could spend $10 billion in the coming years to build out a nationwide 5G network. Six and a half years later the same thing is being said.
  • Early 2023 - DISH, (now EchoStar), launched a new postpaid brand, Boost Infinite, that was touted to offer 40% savings compared to other carriers. In July 2024, the brand was discontinued and plans were folded into Boost Mobile.
  • June 2023 - DISH, announced that it had build out enough of its network to cover 70% of the population. This was an FCC mandate though, as the company was required to build it out by June 13, 2023. However, growth is in progress. By the end of next month, the network will have 80% of the population covered per a proposal the FCC accepted from the company a few months ago.

For Boost to be recognized as a true carrier rather than an MVNO, it must expedite its network build-out and transition customers to its own infrastructure. Until most customers are on its network, many will still consider it to be an MVNO. Additionally, Boost needs to increase its subscriber base significantly, a challenge since DISH/EchoStar acquired the brand in 2020. EchoStar's wireless brands which include Ting and Gen Mobile, and previously Republic Wireless, have consistently lost subscribers each quarter under DISH/EchoStar's ownership. Tomorrow EchoStar will issue its 3rd quarter earnings results where hopefully they'll have bucked the trend and announce subscriber growth.



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