Gen Mobile Increases Data on Plans, Adds Boost 5G Network Access

Gen Mobile kicked off February by increasing data allotments across its prepaid plans without raising prices. Gen Mobile is a prepaid wireless brand owned by EchoStar which also owns Boost Mobile. Wave7 Research noted in its latest prepaid wireless report that Gen Mobile dealers are now gaining access to the native Boost 5G network, which is being referred to as the Orange Network. Gen Mobile plans can also operate on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, now referenced as the Sky Network and Rose Network, respectively.

Here's a look at the updated plans:

• $20/month – 5GB (previously 4GB)
• $30/month – 11GB (previously 10GB)
• $40/month – 17GB (previously 16GB)
• $50/month – 45GB + 10GB hotspot (previously 35GB + 10GB hotspot)

All plans include unlimited talk and text, international calls to 100+ countries, a $10 international calling credit, and Canada/Mexico roaming (500 minutes, 500 texts, 500MB data). The 45GB plan is the only one with unlimited data (throttled to 512Kbps after the high-speed limit is reached), while other plans are hard-capped—users must buy a top-up if they exceed their limit or wait until their next billing cycle starts to use data again. Canada and Mexico roaming is a newly added feature.

Customers can save 25% off each plan by prepaying for 3 months of service in advance. Taxes and fees are extra.

Dealer Compensation Updates

Gen Mobile has not only made changes to its wireless plans but has also updated its dealer compensation structure.

Here's how dealers will be compensated moving forward:

• Gen Mobile is offering a 6th-month Monthly Recurring Charge Spiff (MRC). Dealers will receive an additional bonus when a customer remains active on a plan for six months. A Spiff is a short-term bonus or incentive paid to dealers for selling certain plans or devices.
• Dealers now get a 10% discount on the cost of plan refills anytime they sell them to customers, increasing their margins on sales.
• 4% residual increase - dealers will now earn an additional 4% ongoing commission on customer accounts who remain active in months 5 through 24. This is on top of a 5% a autopay residual paid out in months 2 through 24 for customers on one month plans with AutoPay billing enabled.
• Monthly residual payouts instead of weekly

“Gen Mobile is off to a good start in 2025. The plans are better with no price increase, while dealer compensation is better. Selling Gen Mobile plans on the new Boost Network will improve margins, which is good for EchoStar. Our quarterly surveys indicate that Gen Mobile has a solid presence in the independent multi-carrier dealer channel.” – Jeff Moore, Principal of Wave7 Research

Editor's Take, Who Benefits from These Plans?

Adding more data to the plans without raising prices is always a good thing to see. However, I initially found it challenging to determine who exactly the plans are for and what the value proposition is. This is further compounded when comparing the plans to Gen Mobile's sister brand, Boost Mobile.

On the surface, Boost Mobile offers a far better value to most consumers. For $25/month, taxes and fees included, you get a plan with 30GB of 5G data from Boost Mobile and a "forever" price lock. They also give you a second line for half off for a year and the third line free for a year. For a basic phone plan with talk, text, and data, Gen Mobile simply cannot compete with this.

The value proposition seems to be for customers that need a little bit of roaming in Mexico and Canada and calling to international numbers. The plans appear to be primarily modeled after T-Mobile's Ultra Mobile prepaid brand.

Ultra Mobile has several plans under $40/month that offer very similar features to Gen Mobile. The primary difference between the providers is Gen Mobile is offering 1-2GB more data per common price point. Ultra's comparable plans are typically a dollar cheaper.

However, customers seeking better bang for the buck value with international calling and Mexico/Canada roaming needs on either the AT&T or T-Mobile networks would likely find better value with an independently owned and operated MVNO. Red Pocket Mobile for instance offers substantially more data per common price point than either Gen Mobile or Ultra Mobile and you still get calling to international numbers plus Canada and Mexico roaming. US Mobile also offers similar features for less.

Gen Mobile’s latest updates offer more data, expanded network access, and better dealer compensation, but they struggle to stand out in a highly competitive prepaid market. Boost Mobile remains the better value for general consumers interested in an EchoStar wireless brand, while independent MVNOs like Red Pocket and US Mobile provide cheaper or better alternatives for international needs. However, if Gen Mobile adds more aggressive pricing or stronger perks, it could carve out a more defined audience.