Boost Mobile Claims Full Carrier Status

Evaluating the Newest Player in the 5G Arena

Boost Mobile has made strides in preparing to meet the FCC’s coverage mandates by the close of this year, and now proudly identifies itself as an MNO — a Mobile Network Operator. Unlike its previous role as an MVNO, which primarily involved reselling other networks’ services, Boost asserts this change represents an advancement. While not entirely mission accomplished, it marks a notable improvement.

Remember, Boost was designated to emerge as the fourth major wireless provider in America, following an intricate deal that allowed T-Mobile to acquire Sprint. As part of this arrangement, Dish Network, which is currently under the umbrella of EchoStar, acquired the Boost brand and has obligations set by the FCC to reach particular progress benchmarks in their 5G infrastructure to fulfill the agreement. By last June, the company needed to cover 70% of the U.S. populace.

Progress and Challenges

Eben Albertyn, the Chief Technology Officer of Boost, shared that the brand is well on its path to achieving the required goal. As of now, more than 20,000 cell sites out of a committed 24,000, slated for completion by June 2025, have been activated.

Although reaching a coverage benchmark of 80% sounds commendable, the ability to provide consistent service to customers on this network is a different challenge altogether. In recent years, Boost has depended on AT&T and T-Mobile, operating as an MVNO during its network construction phase.

While the specifics regarding the proportion of customer traffic handled by Boost's network compared to its roaming partnerships weren't disclosed by spokespersons, Meredith Diers, the Communications Director, highlighted a significant shift. Over 500,000 customers have transitioned to its network and core infrastructure since the year began. Moreover, new users residing in coverage zones who possess compatible devices are directly integrated into Boost's network. Given the situation just a couple of years prior, this represents significant headway.

The initiative has come a long way from its initial pilot phase, although Boost’s subscriber base remains relatively small. During its earnings report in August, it was revealed Boost had 7.28 million users in contrast to T-Mobile's 127 million. Even if they achieve the FCC benchmarks within the prescribed timeline, substantial work lies ahead.