Boost starting to see problems with Unlimited plan

Sprint’s iDEN network can’t handle the demand of Boost’s Unlimited plan. While the network hasn’t quite self-destructed yet, we have seen a few issues with the service over the past week. First was the text messaging delay issue. Now, via PhoneNews.com, we learn that there have been service issues in the Dallas/Forth Worth area of Texas, owing to the popularity of the plan. Boost has added four times as many subscribers than expected, and that’s wreaking havoc for everyone. The problem, really, is that Boost Unlimited customers receive only the “lowest access priority available on the iDEN network.” The solution has been to temporarily raise the service levels of these customers to that of a normal Nextel subscriber. Boost will attempt to make improvements on the network capacity so that they can downgrade these customers back to the lowest access priority. (Yes, that last line sounds snarky, but it’s actually true.) Will Boost see these issues crop up elsewhere? If we’re to listen to Seidenberg, then yes, Boost could face these issues in many markets. That means they’ll have to spend money to improve networks to handle the increased capacity. One has to wonder whether Boost Unlimited will be as profitable at that point.]]>

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11 Comments

  1. Freddy Acosta on June 17, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    Not bad for $50 dollars and no tax BUT, if you want to avoid speaking to 14 people from ” customer service ” I suggest you pay your monthly 50 dollars 2 days before the cycle. I paid mine the day before and never had problems. I had to pay $100 dollars to get my service back. I paid on June 1st and due to verification purposes, my service was disconnected. I call next day and paid another 50 dollars to get my service back. THE FIRST 50 DOLLARS WERE NEVER PUT BACK IN MY ACCOUNT. I GAVE UP, 50 DOLLARS IS NOT WORTH THE STRESS, THE RUNAROUND AND THE TIME YOU SPEND ON HOLD ( CLOSE TO MINUTES TOTAL SPEAKING TO 14 PEOPLE ) WITH STILL NO ANSWER. BUH BYE TO MY FIRST 50 DOLLARS. ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CREDIT ANY MONEY, CAN’T WAIT TILL NEXT MONTH AND SEE THEIR ANSWER. I WILL NOT GET THIS SERVICE NEXT MONTH, SAVE YOURSELF WHAT I WENT THROUGH AND DEAL WITH ANOTHER COMPANY WHO WILL NOT TAKE YOUR MONEY !



  2. Freddy Acosta on June 17, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    MAKE THAT 90 MINUTES TOTAL SPEAKING TO 14 PEOPLE…



  3. Freddy Acosta on June 17, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    The texts messages… I just feel they’re taking me back 10 years with the delay to receive them. I had to turn off my phone and turn in on to get the texts… their ” internet ” ( if we can call it like that ) is worse than having aol 3.0 with a 56k modem. NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL !!



  4. Freddy Acosta on June 17, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    I see Boost Mobile loses 329,000 customers, count me and make that 330,000.



  5. freddie bacciagalupo on June 20, 2009 at 1:29 am

    …hmmmm 329,000 +1 = 330,000? Freddy Acosta must be a former freddie mac accountant



  6. D on January 11, 2010 at 10:33 am

    Between the texting delays and the software glitches on their Motorola handsets, Boost is less attractive to me then when I started with them a couple years ago. Add to that the fact that they give and take away. Meaning at first they stated I could use any Nextel handset, then they said that only some features would work unless a buy a new Boost branded handset. Five Nextel handsets later I buy a Boost model, now I find the new Boost model won’t let me set up my own wallpapers or ringtones I’ve tried countless different ways, and nothing. Oh and they took away the DT (Direct talk, the off-network/two way) of all the Boost branded ones so I lose that too. Why in the world can not a sinple prepay plan offer a handset that functions the way it was meant to and services that function the way they were meant to?? The first prepay to offer a decent unlimited pack that includes data, or a reasonalby priced unlimited data and text and I’ll be switching off of Boost. Boost needs a Boost.



  7. Jim on February 21, 2010 at 1:57 am

    I have had a Nextel phone since 1997. The service are has continually increased since then. DC works some places Verizon doesn’t in the Boston Metro West area. I switched to Boost. Just put the new SIM card in my old Nextel. I have had no issues at all. Great service in and out of my house. I am looking into the Boostberry now, and getting worried with some of these response. I have a feeling maybe the posters are disgruntled ATT and Verizon owners stuck in an expensive contract? My last phone I bought was a “Boost” phone and had no troubles either. Hmmmm. Customer service is strange they are all Spanish accent or inner city accent but I have no trouble. Just wondering if the 3g over 2g is worth $10/month?



  8. BoostBlackBerry on March 24, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    I have been with Boost for almost 3 years and never had a problem with them and I heard about the text problems after the $50 a month deal, yes texting has always been slow the the iDEN network.
    I just bought the Boost Mobile Blackberry Curve 8330, now with Sprint’s CDMA network I dont worry about slow texts, email or web.



  9. shannon Hartfield on June 6, 2010 at 10:59 am

    I am based in Houston.. For the last three days and from talking with my other Boost friends.. No calls are able to be made only recieved!! My elderly Father can’t even call me on his!!! If I get to the phone before it kicks over to voicemail I am fine,but if not when you try to call anyone in your contacts it gives one standard message for every contact(were sry the number you have dialed is not in service at this time!!!) I can understand for a few people but for everyone in my contacts?? Please Boost just does not want to admit they are the cause for the issue at this time!!! I am livid !! I have been a customer with them since 1998 and until sprint took over they were a good company. Now they just STINK!!! I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!



  10. shannon Hartfield on June 6, 2010 at 11:04 am

    You Bet I am disgruntled!!!!



  11. Jason on July 28, 2010 at 11:08 am

    Here it is near the end of july and I am still having this problem. It hasent been a few hours for texts, its been a few days!!! Then some texts I just don’t get!!!! I’m concidering changing services. I don’t know if Boost is worth it anymore.