Boost Infinite is a postpaid cell phone carrier known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO.
An MVNO is simply any cell phone carrier that does not operate its own cellular network.
Instead of building their own networks, MVNOs make agreements with the four big carriers to use their cellular networks for coverage.
In Boost Infinite’s case, it uses the T-Mobile network for coverage.
If you are curious to learn more about how the agreements work between the big carriers and the small carriers, check out my article on how some cell phone plans can cost so much less than others.
Boost Infinite is a postpaid cell phone carrier owned and operated by Dish Wireless.
It first launched on December 7th, 2022, and it is intended to compete directly against the postpaid plans from the big carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
What makes Boost Infinite unique is it can automatically switch between the Dish 5G, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks for coverage. Dish brands this as the Boost Wireless network and has marketed it as "America's Smart Network™."
However, it turns out that the network really isn't that "smart."
Instead of automatically switching between the networks based on which one provides the strongest signal or fastest speeds in a given area, which is what you would think it would do, it turns out the Boost Wireless network defaults to using just the Dish 5G network for coverage. Then, in areas where the Dish 5G network does not have service, your phone will roam on either the AT&T or the T-Mobile network for coverage. And your phone will typically default to using either just AT&T or just T-Mobile -- it is not really dynamically switching between them unless it loses signal entirely.
And it turns out that most customers are not even being activated on the Boost Wireless network.
Most new customers are actually being activated on the T-Mobile network, which makes Boost Infinite, at least a the moment, more of a regular T-Mobile MVNO.
I think the real appeal of Boost Infinite is its free phone deals.
If you sign up for the Infinite Access for iPhone plan or the Infinite Access for Galaxy plan, you get the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy phone for free with no trade-in. Then, after 12 months, you can trade in the phone you got and upgrade to the newest model for completely free.
If you enjoy having the latest and greatest phone in your pocket at all times, then Boost Infinite may be a carrier worth considering.
Boost Infinite offers device discounts for new customers.
At the time of writing, new customers can get $259 off the Galaxy S22 or $389 off the Motorola Edge+.
There is currently no referral program, and there are no discounts available for military veterans, first responders, nurses, teachers, or students.
Keep in mind that Boost Infinite’s affordable pricing for everyone can still make it a cheaper option than other plans that do offer discounts for military veterans, first responders, nurses, teachers, or students.
No discounts or referral programs are available at this time.
Boost Infinite allows you to add up to five lines on a single account.
Each line gets its own allotment of high-speed data, hotspot data, and international data in Canada and Mexico.
There is no family discount. All lines will be $25 per month. However, this is still more affordable than the postpaid plans offered by T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon, which only go to as low as $35 per line with five lines.
Plans for smartwatches, tablets, and hotspots are currently not offered by Boost Infinite.
Boost Infinite primarily uses the AT&T network for coverage.
In my area, coverage has been great, and AT&T is known to offer excellent coverage nationwide.
The above data come from the FCC and from Verizon directly.
Check Verizon coverage in your area by using Verizon's official coverage map.
You can also check coverage using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.
CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.
Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and to participate in the project.
The above information comes from the FCC and from AT&T direclty.
You can check AT&T coverage in your area by using AT&T's official coverage map.
You can also check coverage by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.
CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of the cellular networks.
Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and to contribute to the project.
The above information comes from the FCC and from T-Mobile directly.
Check T-Mobile coverage in your area by using T-Mobile's official coverage map.
You can also check T-Mobile coverage by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.
CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.
You can download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and to contribute to the project.
Boost Infinite supports all your basic features, including VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail, 5G, domestic roaming, and eSIM.
Free international texting is included to over 200 countries and territories.
Free international calling is included to over 80 countries.
And 1GB of free data roaming is included to Canada and Mexico. It’s important to note that Canada and Mexico data speeds will be at 128Kbps to 500Kbps though, which are slower than normal speeds.
Boost Infinite works with most AT&T compatible phones, including iPhones, Samsung phones, Google Pixel phones, and others.
Boost Infinite directly sells a handful of Android phones in their online store.
However, you can always bring your own unlocked device to the service, which is what I recommend. An unlocked phone simply means it isn’t tied to any carrier or contract and you’re free to use it on any plan or carrier you choose.
You can check out popular unlocked phones below:
The Boost Infinite Global Roaming add-on gives you unlimited minutes, texts, and 1GB of data while traveling abroad in up to 200+ destinations. The add-on is pro-rated if you purchase it in the middle of your billing cycle. You can purchase additional international data for $10 per GB any time you need it, up to 9 times per billing cycle.
You can purchase plan add-ons for additional high-speed data, enabling hotspot data, or global roaming.
Boost Infinite customer service is available from 5am to 9pm PST.
You can contact Boost Infinite customer service by using the online chat feature in the app, or by calling (866) 957-8278.
