Boost Mobile adds to unlimited bundle

Sprint Nextel Corp.’s Boost Mobile division is keeping the pressure on in the no-contract space as it’s now offering unlimited 411 calls, e-mail and instant messaging to its $50 per month, unlimited rate plan. For those customers on the company’s Blackberry plan, the new offering simply adds unlimited 411 calls for the same $60 per month as the e-mail and IM options were already part of the package.
Boost has increasingly become an important brand for Sprint Nextel driving much of the carrier’s customer growth over the past year following the launch of its flat-rate, unlimited calling offer in early 2009. The unlimited plans had originally launched using the carrier’s iDEN network it acquired when Sprint Corp. purchased Nextel Communications Inc. in 2004 for $35 billion, but the carrier has recently expanded the offering to its CDMA network and select devices, including Research In Motion Ltd.’s Blackberry Curve.
The increase in features available for its unlimited plan should help Boost Mobile remain competitive in the no-contract space. MetroPCS Communications Inc. recently altered its rate plans with new features and the inclusion of all taxes and fees into its price points, though the carrier’s network is still short of that offered by some of its rivals.
Leap Wireless International Inc. recently expanded the network reach for its Cricket-branded offering now touting coverage in all 50 states through extensive roaming agreements and plans to begin offering both a Blackberry smartphone as well as a Kyocera Wireless Corp. device running Google Inc.’s Android operating system.
Tracfone Wireless Inc.’s Straight Talk service also received a boost with exclusive retail partner Wal-Mart Inc. began airing nationwide television commercials touting the service that offers unlimited voice, messaging and Web access for $45 per month running on Verizon Wireless’ nationwide CDMA network.
Sprint Nextel noted during its recent first quarter conference call that it planned to launch a new brand targeting the prepaid market segment in the coming weeks. The carrier currently serves the market with its Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile brands.