Reply With QuoteI don't think there is really a limit at all. Never heard of one. Use a site like wirelessrefill.com (with 3% discount code) to avoid local taxes and get a discount.Originally Posted by punisherbv
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I've climbed a cellphone tower
The average numbers for data usage on smartphones have basically doubled every year, so whatever research you are referring to is likely outdated, people are using data when it is available, and more and more so. 2GB is simply not enough. Period. Not for my wife, myself, or anyone I know, really. Why should I be "trained" to accept it being enough, as you would have it (download media to the phone beforehand, rely on Wifi, etc.?) I *like* being able to start watching a show or movie on Netflix at home, then simply hit the "Resume" button on my phone to continue watching seamlessly when I am on the move. What about Dish Network customers? They have the ability to watch Dish network's channels on their phones, complete with DVR resume features (watch on TV, then on the go if you are not done yet.) DirecTV is moving in a similar direction, as are Verizon FIOS (in contradiction to Verizon's cell division moving away from unlimited data) and Brighthouse/Time Warner. 2GB data is not nearly enough anymore with the proliferation of data hungry apps on both Iphone and Android platforms over the last year alone. So, no thanks to providers with data limits. They are pure crap. Boost's unlimited data is just what the Doctor ordered on any smartphone.
As for speed, have to disagree vehemently. 3G on Boost is plenty fast for anything I use. Facebook, Twitter, "email experience," not one problem. Heck, even video works great. We use Netflix all the time. Also Crackle, various Live TV apps, Pandora, even online video viewing via browser works well (via Skyfire watched live NBA games the other evening.) I don't experience much buffering, if any at all (usually none.) I had an EVO 4G until 3 weeks ago and am now using the ZTE Warp (clearly not a phone powerhouse) with same results. I think you are inventing issues here. Just like with any service, experiences may vary because you happen to be located at the fringe of a given tower, but I travel enough to know that Sprint native service is usually solid wherever I go. (from last September to now 3G speeds, including video playback, were just fine in Vegas, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, Orlando, and my home town of Tampa, FL.) So, you may "envy" me, but I think mine is merely a typical experience on Boost (also based on others who are on it I talk to,) whereas yours appears to be the abberation.
Iphone? Don't want one, don't like it. Screen is too small, not liking the footprint. You think I could not put an Iphone on ST today if I wanted to? Why do you think we have not rushed to that option, since it is, in your mind, the best thing going? I much prefer Android, and, mind you, so do a majority of phone users, given that Android is the leading OS for smartphones by far.
As for data being throttled on Boost, I don't think they will go that route. We have heard that song and dance for years now. Look back through the archives and read posts from 3 years ago where posters predicted an imminent Boost data cap, but it never came. Boost has always been the unlimited data provider, that is the signature of this particular service, so it is not going to change, IMO. Besides, now that it has been established that Boost is going to offer 4G Wimax there is even less of a chance of Boost going the "limited data" route for 3G, that will possibly be true for their 4G offerings (and I personally don't think Boost will place any data limits even on their 4G Wimax offerings) whereas 3G will continue to be truly unlimited, IMHO. They LIKE being the only true unlimited postpaid data provider in the country (and tout that fact in commercials) and they obviously also LIKE being the only true unlimited prepaid player (amongst the "big boys") with Boost as well. Not about to change. And, you know what, why would that even be a part of your argument here? IF that were to happen, say, in a year or two, THEN we can respond to it by making a move... or not. But, to make the POTENTIAL for a Boost data throttling in the future part of your argument/statement against the service seems highly illogical. Applying that logic I could argue that ST is going to throttle data further to under 500MB soon before they send out "warning letters" and are therefore not a prudent choice. Why make "the choice" about something that hasn't happened yet, might never?
BTW, I have been with Boost since the very beginning (Iden first, then moved to CDMA) and must say the "decision" has never looked better.
Last edited by georgepa; 04-23-2012 at 08:50 PM.
I've climbed a cellphone tower
I don't think there is really a limit at all. Never heard of one. Use a site like wirelessrefill.com (with 3% discount code) to avoid local taxes and get a discount.
I've climbed a cellphone tower
Prepaid services are intended for those on a budget. If you have the money to spend on premium cable/satellite/video on demand services, expect to pay "premium" prices for the appropriately large data plan to stream that content to your phone. My point with Straight Talk, that we've seemed to stray a bit from, is that their services are intended for people who want to use their phone as a communication and information access device, not a portable television.
So, all those articles posted online and people complaining about Sprint's awful 3G speeds are just a result of my overactive imagination? Again, if Boost works great for you, more power to you. I'm personally siding with the folks that are less than impressed with the network performance as of late. I may not have been on Boost since the "old days", but I'm not new to Sprint and their EVDO speeds used to be much better.
Android or iOS? Everyone has their preference. Except on Boost, where that choice has already been made for you. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot Apple does that I strongly disagree with. I own a few iOS devices, but I prefer an Android phone. That doesn't, however, blind me to the fact that Apple is a very major (and profitable) player in the wireless industry and a very large number of people prefer a phone powered by iOS. But the iPhone was just an example of the freedom of BYOD. There's a vast difference between popping in a SIM card and typing in some APN settings, versus the can of worms that is MEID altering. Let's be honest here, Boost's current selection of phones is still the same tired old rejects that no one wanted when they were on Sprint postpaid (with the exception of the Prevail and Warp, which are so cheaply built, Sprint won't even try to unload them as free-with-contract postpaid phones). They have nothing with performance or build quality that approaches the Galaxy S II, HTC Amaze or the iPhone 4S.
Sure, it was just a just a shot in the dark prediction in the absence of any signs, but Sprint postpaid and Boost are now the last remaining "unlimited data" holdouts. Sprint already has a good idea what the fallout from implementing a throttle point on Virgin is and they haven't gone back on their decision. That's all the proof I need that Boost is next. As far as it being relevant, if someone is basing their choice on Boost solely on unlimited data, they're setting themselves up for disappointment.
iPad plan on iPhone 4--------------------------------------Sprint 3G
Achievement Unlocked: Phone Collector
I've climbed a cellphone tower
The problem with that statement is that reality has been different for years. Boost data has been unlimited from the very beginning, and there has been a relatively large subgroup of users that has used the service for 24/7 tethering to laptops, Ipads, tablets, etc. Downloading movies, music, streaming Youtubes, etc. Massive data use in some cases exceeding 100GB per month. Look through the archives for discussions about that subject. Yet, the often predicted data throttling never happened. So, I just disagree. I predict that Boost will still have unlimited data 2 years from now, and that means that data usage befitting data centric phones complete with streaming movies, TV shows and sports content from Netflix, TV.com, Hulu, ESPN, and so forth can be had at the bargain basement price of $40 per month (after shrinkage.) Not too shabby.
For some reason you tried to steer the OP away from Boost Mobile as he came to the BM site with a few predetermined statements:My point with Straight Talk, that we've seemed to stray a bit from, is that their services are intended for people who want to use their phone as a communication and information access device, not a portable television.
1. He personally feels the Transform Ultra beats the Iphone.
2. People in the OPs area appear to really like Boost, apparently have had good luck with it.
With that in mind don't you think trying to "sell" him on ST because they allow Iphones and trying to scare the OP into believing that service/data on Boost is crappy (given that it apparently works well for people in the OPs area, people the OP knows) is a bit out of place, kind of like thread crapping? Then you end up defending STs 2GB data limit in an attempt to erase/whitewash Boost's large advantage over ST (and everybody else for that matter) in that arena.
EXCUSE me for believing my own eyes. Why would I tell you that Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, music streaming, etc. works well for me (occasional buffering messages far and few between notwithstanding) when that is not so, when data is truly, as you have others believe, basically unusable? Someone else in this thread mentioned 10 hrs. of continuous Netflix use without making note of any horrific data issues making the experience painful and the application unusable. I don't measure data speeds constantly, don't even know what my actual data speeds are. My testing ground is streaming video. If that works generally fine, then in my opinion data speed is sufficient for me. Now, I can't speak for others you mention, and I am sure for someone wanting to download an entire movie from a torrent site they might find having to wait an hour or two on 3G is too much, they rather pay $100 for 4G. Good for them. I prefer to stream, am not much into downloading content, so I guess that is where you get your complainers/whiners. Not saying that there aren't areas of the country where Sprint has a poor footprint (i.e. the Dakotas, Iowa, Alaska, the boonies in most states) but for the vast majority of people the issue simply does not apply, they happen to be in cities/regions where Sprint's coverage is as good as the others. As a point of disclosure, there IS one room in my house where my reception suffers, where streaming videos gives me an unacceptable amount of buffering, but luckily that room is not my main bedroom, and the rest of the house is just fine.So, all those articles posted online and people complaining about Sprint's awful 3G speeds are just a result of my overactive imagination? Again, if Boost works great for you, more power to you. I'm personally siding with the folks that are less than impressed with the network performance as of late. I may not have been on Boost since the "old days", but I'm not new to Sprint and their EVDO speeds used to be much better.
By that logic there is no way Sprint will be able to offer unlimited data to its customers much longer, either. As has been mentioned, Boost was said to be implementing a hard data cap or some form of throttling for over 3 years now, and that hasn't happened. Why would what they did with Virgin be an indication of what happens with Boost? If they wanted to implement a hard data cap or throttle data for Boost they would have likely done it at the same time as Virgin, just to keep the "bad publicity" hit to one news cycle. Seems to me that the fact they left Boost unthrottled and truly unlimited while limiting Virgin is all the proof you need to see that Boost will continue to be the unlimited prepaid carrier.Sure, it was just a just a shot in the dark prediction in the absence of any signs, but Sprint postpaid and Boost are now the last remaining "unlimited data" holdouts. Sprint already has a good idea what the fallout from implementing a throttle point on Virgin is and they haven't gone back on their decision. That's all the proof I need that Boost is next. As far as it being relevant, if someone is basing their choice on Boost solely on unlimited data, they're setting themselves up for disappointment.
I am sure someone is basing their choice solely on unlimited data, perhaps for one the growing group of users with large data appetites - if one can actually call the measly amount of data above 2GB per month, which amounts to viewing about 1 1/2 full movies on Netflix, "large data appetite," and those with the desire to tether devices to their phones. However, for many it is the combination of price ($35 for unlimited everything, $40 for Android unlimited everything,) truly unlimited data, texting and talk, good customer service, a relatively potent phone lineup, etc.
Bashing is easy, but the combination of salient factors is the reason Boostmobile ranks as #1 amongst prepaid providers with JD Power & Assoc., Toptenreviews, and the like.
Why yes, that is a bag phone
Ok guys please let's not argue about the service reception between Straight Talk and Boost. I just needed some questions answered and my decision is finally now made. Thanks to all who answered me!
Sent from my LG-VS700 using HowardForums
I've climbed a cellphone tower
All it proves is Boost is extremely lax in enforcing their TOS. It's like rationalizing shoplifting from a small store because they have no cameras or anti-theft systems installed. Boost also had a security hole big enough to drive a truck through with their daily PAYGO web add-on. When that finally got fixed, there was quite a bit of outcry from the folks who'd grown accustomed to their "free" loophole internet access.
Even the landline internet providers aren't too thrilled with the amount of streaming going on. That's a subject for another forum, however.
1. The Samsung Transform Ultra is an overpriced, low-end phone. The 480x320 screen resolution is well behind current standards. You can buy a used iPhone 4 for a few bucks more, or used Android phones of far superior specifications for less.
2. Many people aren't aware of Straight Talk's BYOD. As you've said, Boost is an old player here - they have brand recognition going for them.
Again, I use Boost and I've previously been a Sprint customer. I believe this gives me the right to voice my opinion on the performance of their services. Competition is good and so is choice. Would you rather someone not know that there may be another service provider out there that meets their needs better? If that was the case, most of us would still be on postpaid.
Reputable news publications confirm Sprint's poor 3G speeds. Also Sprint's own forum Again, if I had that kind of power to manipulate people, I'd certainly use it for something more personally satisfying than making people believe Sprint's 3G is slow.
Virgin has always seemed to be the "testing ground" for Sprint prepaid. First to get an Android handset, first to with a throttle point. It makes sense actually, if they test it on one carrier they can see what the fallout is before implementing the same change on their other brand. I'm sure if customers started leaving Virgin in droves, they would've reversed their decision on the cap. The fact that it's standing is a good indication it will be coming soon to Boost.
Boost's unlimited data is a legacy from the days of unusably slow IDEN packet data. Times change.
Truly heavy data use will be the domain of postpaid, with an appropriately attached price. This is how the two most successful wireless companies do it. How can you argue with success?
Why yes, that is a bag phone
OK for starters i did say before that all i really care about the most is Talk and Text and SOME net use therefore not having the most up to date superior Android phones is not a big deal for me and i can get a used iPhone 4 at any time for Straight Talk. As long as i have coverage to make a call or whatever then thats all im concerned about.
I only made this thread to ask questions i was not sure about so please lets end this unneeded argument. No need to keep going back and forth about it!
I've climbed a cellphone tower
Sprint's native-only coverage is the smallest. When you said coverage is a big concern, that's why I recommended something other than Boost.
But I still by the response I gave a few pages back... You're not signing a two year contract, so you've really got nothing to worry about if Boost, Straight Talk or whatever doesn't work out for you. You're really the only person who can determine if the service meets your needs for your usage patterns and reliably operates in the areas you rely on it to. The rest of us just have to go by our own experiences (which, as you can see, vary considerably) or look at a map and point out which carrier has the least white area.
Banned for Spamming
I put $100 into my account every time I need to add money to it. That's not to say that I do that even if I do not have that much money but most times I'm prepared for the expense and act accordingly. They withdraw the money as they need it. I've changed numbers before and usually the reps start on the $5 charge to change numbers and then notice that I already have money on my account and cut the speech short. I'm one payment away from their $35 mark and I have a grandfathered Android plan. Yes. I love my Prevail and I'm sticking to it. The dev community behind it is unbeatable and it doesn't have half the problems of the other devices.
I do not want to further hijack this thread but I wanted to add that Boost might or might not throttle their customers in the future. Just because Virgin is throttled doesn't mean the same for Boost. Look at Phillip Morris. They have their flagship brand, Marlboro. Over time they've come up with "generic" choices (Basic, Parliament). When they were initially launched they were priced lower than their flagship brand but over time (meaning now) they're more expensive than their flagship brand! Why?
This is their reasoning (Yes. I'm a retailer and get to talk to their reps). They introduce a cheap brand because they want other folks to jump ship from other companies (RJ Reynolds, Lorillard). Once they're "hooked" the prices of their "cheap" brands rises and their flagship brand stays the about same. Why? Because Phillip Morris wants everyone to smoke ONLY their flagship brand.
So the question becomes, why hasn't everyone switched to their flagship brand already? That's because every company is doing it!
What conclusion am I trying to pull out of this? Sprint wants everyone on their flagship MVNO rather than all the others. Virgin started as a separate MVNO company using Sprint's network. Sprint just decided to buy them rather than share the profits.
Will Boost go the route of Virgin? I don't know. But this is for sure... Sprint would rather have everyone drop Virgin and jump on Boost.
I've climbed a cellphone tower
Sprint's native-only coverage is the smallest. When you said coverage is a big concern, that's why I recommended something other than Boost.
But I still by the response I gave a few pages back... You're not signing a two year contract, so you've really got nothing to worry about if Boost, Straight Talk or whatever doesn't work out for you. You're really the only person who can determine if the service meets your needs for your usage patterns and reliably operates in the areas you rely on it to. The rest of us just have to go by our own experiences (which, as you can see, vary considerably) or look at a map and point out which carrier has the least white area.
Seriously. Least white area? Why would the vast majority of people care about that? Why would I care that the Dakotas are white? Or Nebraska? The map shows coverage for probably 95% of the population centers we all live in. Why not ask first if the OP lives in a "white area"? But then again, the OP stated that several people he knows have made it clear that they are quite happy with their Boost service, presumably from his home area, so the "white area" issue is really a non-issue for him as it is for most of us. That is unless you are a travelling sales man selling Encyclopedia Britannica volumes door to door in the Great Plains and where the four Presidents are immortalized in stone.
I am curious, Gotanmp, why in the world do you actually use Boost? From your comments that makes no sense whatsoever. You claim data stinks, coverage stinks, phone selection stinks, price is not all that, given that others are close as well. So, what gives? Why choose to torture yourself and go with this highly inferior product when there are so many others out there much better, faster, with similar price? As you said, you are not tied into a contract, so you can move on quickly. Why would you choose to stay with Boost yourself, given all that. I am curious to find out why it is ok for you to keep Boost (when really you have no reason to do so,) yet implore others to steer clear of it.
Radiation is good
Dear Friend...
This argument has nothing to do with you. I know you are thinking this is your thread, and it should be about you but it is not.
It has to do with one poster calling out another user for rather crappy behavior. And you might notice it is being done kindly and with grace, but ruthlessly and relentlessly.
But lets go back to your last question... Boost used to say the max was 250$. but remember it only lasts 90 days. But you Can reset that time limit by putting more money on your account, even 10$. Also boosts "Re Boost" service will automatically add money to your account as needed, but it depends/needs you to need to add small amounts every months. it wont help if you add 200$ to your account and do nothing for 90+ days.
Putting the phone you want on the service you pay for is not a crime. No one has ever been convicted of it!
No one has ever been convicted of talking about it either!
If you think I helped, please Click the star below. Unfortunately there is no "you're an idiot" button yet, but you can PM me!
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VVV
Why yes, that is a bag phone
OK so the real question is this, if i add alot of money to my account (at least 6 months in length) this would cover my plan the same way ST would right?
Radiation is good
nope,
the account will only be active for 90 days. after that you lose the money. Again you can reset the timer by adding more.
I've climbed a cellphone tower
Actually, you are incorrect here, LargePrime. If you put, say, $200 in your account, the appropriate amount for your account will be deducted on the due date. So, if you are on a $50 account, on, say, the 3rd of each month $50 is drawn off the account. It means that you are fine for 4 months of straight service. However, you might want to check into your account now and then to make sure you still have the full amount in the account. It happened to me that some service sent me text messages and small amounts were deducted from my account. I called Boost and they stopped the service and put the money back on my account, but had I not noticed it I would have been short that month on "pay day" by just a few pennies.
You might be thinking about "Pay as you Go" when you mention the 90 day activity requirement.
From the Boost website:
Keep money in your account so you can keep talking
If you have Monthly Unlimited:
•Make sure you have enough money to cover your monthly payment amount on your monthly payment date.
•Your monthly payment amount will be deducted at the end of the day (according to your time zone) on your monthly payment date.
•If you purchase ringtones, wallpapers, etc. be sure to add extra money to your account to cover these extra services and your monthly payment amount.
If you have Daily Chat & Text plan or Pay As You Go:
•Recharge at least once every 90 days to keep your service active —after 90 days without recharging, any remaining balance will expire.
•Once you hit a zero account balance or have 90 days without recharging, you still have 60 days to recharge and keep your account active. After those 60 days, your account will be closed, and you will lose your phone and walkie-talkie number.
I've climbed a cellphone tower
The answer to this question is Yes.
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