If you are hunting for a cheaper plan or better coverage, Boost Mobile has it all for you. This MVNO provides excellent coverage on one of the best mobile networks in the U.S. Additionally; you can have a variety of budget-friendly plans that suit your needs you can get from this provider. However, if you want to know what network does boost mobile use to provide its wireless service, stay put.
Boost Mobile is one of the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) prepaid cell phone carriers that uses T-Mobile’s network. As a fact, T-Mobile is one of the most extensive networks in the country; therefore, Boost Mobile customers can perceive reliable coverage, same as its parent company. On the downside, your internet speeds may slow down when the network is busy, especially in rural areas, so knowing the best cell phone booster for rural areas is reasonably necessary.
Interestingly, it reaches 62% of the U.S. territory with wireless coverage as of 2021. This figure ranks it third place in the extensive three networks in the U.S., including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Boost Mobile coverage spreads more in urban areas, primarily in any major city in the country, and you can depend on your Boost Mobile 4G LTE connection. Ultimately, you can still rely on reliable service when using Boost Mobile.
How Do You Switch to Boost?
If you are moving out from another carrier and you want to switch to Boost Mobile, you’ll require a Boost Mobile SIM card, plus a compatible phone. You can purchase a Boost Mobile SIM card when signing up for a Boost Mobile plan or buy from physical stores like Walmart.
Most importantly, you can buy a new cell phone when you switch to Boost, or you can bring your cell phone over provided it’s compatible. You can confirm your current phone’s compatibility to check if you can bring your cell phone with you. However, bringing your phone to Boost Mobile is a straightforward process, and what you need is to:
- Check your phone’s compatibility with Boost Mobile using an IMEI/ESN check
- Unlock your phone from your current carrier
- Get a Boost SIM card and activate your phone on their network
Boost Mobile BYOD Activation
After ensuring that your device is compatible and unlocked, it’s time to get your Boost SIM activated with your device on Boost’s network. You need to proceed to the carrier’s “Activation” page and:
- Choose “New Customer” from the dropdown menu at the uppermost of the page.
- Select “Use My Own Device with Boost Mobile SIM.”
- Select whether you want to receive a new number or port your old number.
- If you decide to keep your phone number, you’ll require your old account information, like your PIN, account number, and personal I.D. info.
- Top up any additional lines if you want to purchase or transfer a family plan.
- Follow the directed prompts, including choosing your plan and any add-ons.
Notably, you’ll require a Boost Mobile SIM card before accessing the network. However, this requirement gets sorted during the activation process unless you already own a SIM kit on hand.
What Network Towers Does Boost Mobile Use?
As mentioned earlier, Boost Mobile works like a prepaid MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). This wireless service provider doesn’t have its own wireless network infrastructure but instead uses another company’s infrastructure and network towers through leasing terms.
Currently, Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile’s after merging with Sprint’s LTE network & towers to provide wireless service to its customers. In 2020, T-Mobile and Sprint merged, and Boost Mobile got received by Dish. However, Dish is developing its own 5G service and plans to take Sprint’s position among the nation’s largest carriers. They have continued access to T-Mobile’s network for the coming seven years.
What network does Boost Mobile use?
Boost Mobile’s network strength compares to the new T-Mobile’s coverage. Since Boost Mobile operates with T-Mobile’s towers and network, both carriers deliver the same 99% 4G coverage and 80% 5G coverage, which is the most prominent coverage in the country.
Moreover, Boost Mobile’s coverage territory includes all the areas in the U.S. having a dense population and many unpopulated places like the rural areas. Besides, the coverage is most dependable in the eastern states and only slightly less widespread in the west. You can look out for their network coverage map on their official website. Learn more about how to boost signal strength on cricket wireless for AT&T customers.
T-Mobile’s towers, which Boost Mobile uses, cover over 8300 cities and towns in the U.S., twice the 5G coverage area of Verizon or AT&T, the two major carriers in the U.S. The following percentage represents the 5G and 4G coverage of the major US network providers:
i) The Best 5G Coverage:
- T-Mobile: 36.7% 5G coverage (80% of the population)
- AT&T: 15.9% 5G coverage
- Verizon: 10.9% 5G coverage
ii) The Best 4G Coverage:
- Verizon: 70% 4G coverage
- AT&T: 68% 4G coverage
- T-Mobile: 62% 4G coverage (99% of the population)
Is Boost Mobile Network GSM or CDMA?
First, let’s understand what these abbreviations stand for. CDMA refers to Code Division Multiple Access, and GSM refers to Global System for Mobiles. However, they are two different radio network technologies used by wireless carriers. In the 90s, CDMA was the most spread and the most used network in the U.S. However, nowadays, GSM networks are preferable since CDMA carries a smaller footprint.
Initially, Boost Mobile was a subsidiary network operator of Sprint mobile, a CDMA mobile network operator with multiple accesses. On the other hand, T-Mobile operates on a GSM network. However, since the two companies merged, Boost Mobile works both on a GSM network and CDMA/LTE network.
Causes of Poor Cell Reception
Several causal factors result in lousy cell reception, and if you are experiencing lousy cell phone reception, there are ways to improve it, as explained later. However, let’s understand why you experience poor signals in certain places and how to boost cell signal at home for free. The following are the leading causes for spotty cell phone reception:
- If you reside in rural areas, there may not have enough cell towers to cover the area you are in. Besides, if you reside far away from the closest cell tower, there isn’t much you can do, apart from moving closer to an area where the cell phone reception is better.
- The quality of cell phone reception gets affected very strongly by what is in between the cell tower and your phone. If there ate obstacles, they likely tend to block the signal. However, in an urban area with many buildings and highly ejected structures, these obstacles may cause the signal to be weak, or even worse, disappear completely.
- The number of users using the signal from a cell tower at a go significantly influences your signal quality. Typically, a cell tower can service a few hundred to a few thousand people simultaneously. If then it has to serve tens of thousands of users, it will be unable to deliver, resulting in poor or spotty service on your phone.
How Do You Improve Poor Cell Phone Reception?
i) Avoid Blocking The Internal Antenna With Your Hand
Previously, older phone models’ antenna was visible outside the phone, but new phones use internal antennas. Thus, it is possible to block the signal based on how you hold the phone; hence, be keen on your hand’s position on the phone while using it. However, experimenting using different positions can improve reception.
ii) Move Away From Obstructions
Buildings and structures may block cell signals, hence going outside might help improve reception. An outdoor area like a park makes it easier for the cell signal to transmit seamlessly.
iii) Keep Your Battery Charged At least 25
A phone requires enough power to utilize the cell signal. If your battery capacity is low, you may not have enough power for the phone to receive and hold the signal.
iv) Move To A Higher Position
Whether in a high building or on a hill outside, you will reduce the probability of obstructions blocking the cell signal. Locating the highest point in your surrounding environment and moving there may enhance your reception instantly.
v) Use WiFi
You can use WiFi calling as many smartphones allow WiFi calling features and texting nowadays. This feature gets supported by all major cell carriers in the U.S. Plus, many messaging apps will enable you to do audio and video calling. However, if the cell reception in your area is lousy, and you get access to a strong WiFi, then switching to WiFi might remedy your problem.
vi) Switch Between 2G, 3G, And 4G
Generally, various networks pose different signal strengths at a specific location. You can switch between the networks to confirm which one works best for your location. However, switching between networks differs between carriers and phone models. You need to proceed to “Settings” and select “Networks” in most cases, and you can choose between 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE networks.
Bottom line
Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile’s 4G network towers that cover 99% of the population. This company has also emerged as America’s largest and fastest 5G network. However, Boost Mobile currently has the benefit of using T-Mobile’s network, delivering a great network that is fast, widespread, and reliable to its customers.
