Boost Mobile sheds MVNO label, offers cheap own-brand 5G smartphone to celebrate

Boost Mobile used to be an MVNO, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, basically a brand using someone else"s actual physical network. But not anymore. Boost has been boosting its own in-house 5G network recently, to the point where it"s now covering 70% of the US population and should reach 80% by the end of the year.

For coverage gaps, Boost will continue to rely on roaming agreements which let it reach 99% of the country. The carrier is no longer considering itself an MVNO, according to a rep from the Dish-owned company.

To celebrate this milestone, Boost is introducing the Summit 5G, an Android smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. On the rear there"s a 13 MP main camera and a 2 MP depth sensor, for selfies you get a 5 MP shooter, and the lights are kept on by a 5,000 mAh battery.

This, thus, is definitely unlikely to feel exciting to anyone. But that"s not the point. The phone is $94.99, and also free for those who switch and port their number to Boost Mobile, and it"s $19.99 for those who are on Boost and want to upgrade their device. If you pair it with the $25/month 5G plan, you"re getting "the most budget-friendly option for high-speed 5G connectivity across all carriers", Boost proudly boasts.

Source | Via