Boost Mobile moves from Optus to Telstra

[Austman]

A heads up.

Telstra are starting to allowing MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) onto their 3G network. The second such MVNO for Telstra, after Kogan Mobile, looks like being Boost Mobile who are moving from Optus. Existing Boost customers become Optus customers today. New Boost customers will be using the Telstra network. It looks like Boost will offer a Kogan like product but will have full access to Teltra's 3G network, full 3G data speeds and offer international roaming. But no 4G yet.

Details are apparently coming soon with the new service starting 1st March 2013. Watch this space I suppose? Boost Pre-paid Mobile ? Big Changes Ahead

 

[markis10]

I believe Telstra may be buying (licencing) the brand and operating it on their own network sans existing customers, as Optus reduces their brands down to 1 for prepaid.

 

[moa999]

Months old news:
Boost forced to switch to Telstra as Optus ditches licensed prepaid | ZDNet

markis10 - article doesn't suggest this.

 

[markis10]

Months old news:
Boost forced to switch to Telstra as Optus ditches licensed prepaid | ZDNet

markis10 - article doesn't suggest this.

Fair enough, I find virtual carriers confusing at best, although they come in handy for locked handsets! Different network to Kogan is my understanding.

 

[oz_mark]

I find that a little hard to believe given Boost is owned by Optus.

Optus has (had) a license to use the brand.

 

[markis10]

Optus has (had) a license to use the brand.

Yep, amended my post when I realized it was not ownership per se.

 

[Austman]

I think we'll see some details from Telstra and Boost soon. There are some hints out there:

https://www.telstra.com.au/boost-shop/boost-mobile-product.cfm?flow=preorder&device=boost-sim-golden

 

[Austman]

And here are the details (so far): Boost Pre-paid Mobile – Home

 

[lovestotravel]

The Boost plans are the same on Telstra as they were on Optus

$40 a month unlimited basically with 3GB of data

I wonder if this will be 4G

 

[Daggs01]

Possibly Telstra's version of a (mobile) Low Cost Carrier

 

[Austman]

The Boost plans are the same on Telstra as they were on Optus

$40 a month unlimited basically with 3GB of data

I wonder if this will be 4G

Not 4G, not initally anyway. But Telstra 3G.

You will have access to the 3G Telstra Mobile Network which provides coverage for over 99.3 per cent of the Australian population. Boost Mobile customers on the 3G Telstra Mobile Network will have access to the same network.However, Boost Mobile customers will not have access to the Telstra 4G network. Also, to ensure that you get the most out of your service, it is important your handset is compatible with 850MHz.

 

[markis10]

Not 4G, not initally anyway. But Telstra 3G.

Looks like it is the same network as Kogan going by the coverage maps, which is not Next G, so data will be limited.

 

[Austman]

Looks like it is the same network as Kogan going by the coverage maps, which is not Next G, so data will be limited.

I believe that this is going to be a key point. It will be NextG with no limits on data speed (but no 4G access) - so better than Kogan. The same as Telstra in fact. There are minuses. International call rates are terrible! Probably international roaming will cost a bomb too.

 

[lovestotravel]

Looks like it is the same network as Kogan going by the coverage maps, which is not Next G, so data will be limited.

Nope it's Next G with full access to the network and speeds!

For $40 a month unlimited it's a great deal for the Telstra network



[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: gray-18, align: left"]Do Boost Mobile customers get the same 3G signal as Telstra 3G customers?[/TD]
[TD="width: 40, align: right"]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: orange-21, width: 30, align: left"]A:[/TD]
[TD="class: ans-14, align: left"]Yes, all Boost Mobile customers on the 3G Telstra Mobile Network will have access to the same network.However, Boost Mobile customers will not have access to the Telstra 4G network. Also, to ensure that you get the most out of your service, it is important your handset is compatible with 850MHz.
Please refer to the compatibility and unlocking FAQ’s for more info. [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[markis10]

Nope it's Next G with full access to the network and speeds!

For $40 a month unlimited it's a great deal for the Telstra network



[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: gray-18, align: left"]Do Boost Mobile customers get the same 3G signal as Telstra 3G customers?[/TD]
[TD="width: 40, align: right"]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: orange-21, width: 30, align: left"]A:[/TD]
[TD="class: ans-14, align: left"]Yes, all Boost Mobile customers on the 3G Telstra Mobile Network will have access to the same network.However, Boost Mobile customers will not have access to the Telstra 4G network. Also, to ensure that you get the most out of your service, it is important your handset is compatible with 850MHz.
Please refer to the compatibility and unlocking FAQ’s for more info.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Having a closer look I agree its not the same network as Kogan, so its Next G!

 

[Austman]

The site I mentioned in post #1 is now up. Boost Pre-paid Mobile – Home

If their plans suit you, it's Telsta NextG network quality at a re-seller price. Customer service might be another matter.

I'm guessing that with the migration of customers over to 4G, Telstra now thinks it's time to allow MVNO's to use the 3G part of their NextG network.

 

[Simo]

Finely consumer customers getting a good deal.

These pre paid deals are better than the plans.

 

[markis10]

Must admit I have gone from a sceptic to someone keen to try it out!

 

[haydensydney]

I called Boost this morning as I was keen to grab myself one of these sim cards. Great value.

They said that you had to register on the website, then you would be sent the sim card shortly before 1 March. Not ideal for those of us who need something now, and Kogan doesn't appear to be the best option in terms of network/download speed. I guess I will just need to wait until March to try out Boost!

 

[Simo]

I called Boost this morning as I was keen to grab myself one of these sim cards. Great value.

They said that you had to register on the website, then you would be sent the sim card shortly before 1 March. Not ideal for those of us who need something now, and Kogan doesn't appear to be the best option in terms of network/download speed. I guess I will just need to wait until March to try out Boost!

If you want 4G have a look at Telstra Pre paid current offers not as good but will give you the speed you want.