Boost launches unlimited at $50 using iDEN network: Monthly plan includes voice, text, Web and PTT

Sprint Nextel Corp.’s Boost Mobile subsidiary unveiled an unlimited offering dubbed “Monthly Unlimited” that includes unlimited calling minutes, text messaging, wireless Web and walkie-talkie services for $50 per month. The new plan is for the carrier’s iDEN-based offering.
Matt Carter, president of Boost Mobile, said he expects the Boost Mobile existing customers to gravitate towards this $50 offering, even some new customers who normally favor post-paid options.
“More and more people are looking for those types of plans,” Carter said. “We believe that traditional prepaid customers will be migrating up and shift more toward bigger bucket and unlimited plans. Part of the opportunity here is to bring in some postpaid customers who are looking for greater flexibility. We assume to see people more from T-Mobile postpaid.”
Boost’s new unlimited plan will be available beginning Jan. 22, and the operator said it will launch new devices including a simple candy-bar phone and possibly a smartphone. Lindsay would not confirm if a smartphone was a definite plan at this point.
Boost currently offers unlimited calling, text and Web for its CDMA customers in select markets for $70 per month. For its iDEN customers the carrier offers 600 daytime minutes, unlimited night and weekend calling, unlimited Web, texting and PTT for $70 per month.
The no-contract operator is banking on tough economic times and its use of the Sprint Nextel’s network to convince customers to jump on board. Leap Wireless International Inc.and MetroPCS Communications Inc., which both play in the no-contract, unlimited calling space, recently reported strong Q4 results that they attributed to consumers looking to better manage their wireless spending habits.