Boost Mobile Vs. Verizon
By Nicole Schmoll
Boost Mobile and Verizon Wireless are two very different types of mobile phone companies. While both offer wireless phone service to customers in the United States, Verizon is a much larger network with international coverage and contract-based plans. Boost Mobile is a non-contract based system with a smaller network. Comparing what the two companies have to offer may help you decide which is the best fit for your mobile phone needs.
Company Information
Boost Mobile is a prepaid wireless phone brand owned by Sprint, which is a contract-based wireless phone service company. Boost Mobile is known for quality customer service and received the “Highest Customer Satisfaction” award from J.D. Power and Associates for non-contract wireless service providers. It offers wireless phones and no-contract service plans to its customers.
Verizon Wireless offers wireless phone, data and video service through its massive wireless network. The company also owns broadband networks that allow it to offer wired cable and internet service to customers. As of the end of March 2011, Verizon had 104 million customers.
Coverage
Boost Mobile operates on Sprint’s nationwide network. Wherever Sprint offers coverage, which is in major cities throughout the United States, Boost Mobile offers coverage. That network reaches more than 277 million people. Boost Mobile also offers coverage through the Nextel Network, which provides service to an additional 278 million people across America. Significant pockets of non-coverage exist in the upper northwest and great plains states.
Verizon boasts of having America’s largest 3G (third generation) network. Coverage is extensive, with no state that Verizon does not offer service in. However, pockets of rural areas in the upper northwest, Utah and Nevada are without coverage. The company is in the process of upgrading its network to 4G coverage which is faster than 3G.
Plans
The Monthly Unlimited with Shrinkage plan is the name for Boost Mobile’s most common calling plan. As of July 2011, the plan is $50 per month and features unlimited nationwide talk, text, internet, 411, instant messaging and email service. A similar plan is available for BlackBerry devices for an additional $10 per month and a daily unlimited plan with the same features is available for $2 per day. International calling is a feature that can be added on to any plan for $5 per month. The “shrinkage” component of Boost Mobile’s plans offer long-term customers discounts for on-time payments.
Verizon offers a range of individual, Family Share and prepaid talk plans. Plans are based on a defined number of minutes ranging from 450 to unlimited. All plan types (except for pre paid) require a two-year contract and can be purchased as voice-only, voice and text or voice, text and data plans. Data plans allow customers to surf the internet and access email.
Phones
Motorola, Sanyo, RIM and Samsung phones are sold by Boost Mobile to work on its network. These phones, specially designed to work on the Boost Mobile network are sold at major retail stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Target and Radio Shack as well as in Sprint retail stores.
Smartphones, basic cell phones, tablet devices and netbooks are all sold and supported through Verizon. Many brands are available including models from Samsung, Motorola, LG, BlackBerry and Apple.