No one likes a wireless contract. It restricts our freedom as consumers (e.g., no class action lawsuits) and binds us to a single carrier for two years at a time. So why do we sign them? We don’t have much of a choice, since that’s the way America’s major carriers operate.
But even if offered the option, many of us would still sign a contract, because that grants us a subsidy on a handset. While a BlackBerry normally retails for between $400 and $600, a subsidy gets that price below $200. Over the past year we’ve seen three prominent players in the U.S. introduce prepaid BlackBerry services. As expected, they all involve paying a heavy up front fee for the device. Is that a worthy trade-off?
MetroPCS started the prepaid BlackBerry movement a little over a year ago when it launched the Curve 8330. The offering is far from perfect. First, it only works in MetroPCS’s legacy markets, so it won’t work in its AWS areas, which include New York City and Boston. Second, as previously noted the price is well higher than most consumers are used to paying.
The device started at $449, or about $250 more than the Tour on contract. MetroPCS now offers a $100 instant rebate, and apparently reduced the price at another point, leaving it at $299. That’s still steep, but a bit more manageable. The service costs $60 per month.
After it announced it’s Complete line of plans, T-Mobile also announced a prepaid BlackBerry plan. Available exclusively at Best Buy and Wal-Mart (and now Amazon.com, it appears), Complete prepaid offers service with the BlackBerry Curve 8520. That’s a bit exciting because it’s a relatively new handset. Unfortunately, we run into the same problem as MetroPCS. The device costs $299.99 at a retail outlet, though it’s on Amazon for $250.
The service — unlimited everything — costs $80 per month. Yes, that gets you a lot, but altogether it’s a bit steep. Again, this is the issue with every prepaid BlackBerry. The latest to offer prepaid BlackBerry services is Boost Mobile. They plan to launch the BlackBerry Curve 8330, among other devices, on January 15.
Despite the Curve being far out of date, it will still cost $249. The service, which does include unlimited everything on Sprint’s CDMA network, will cost $60 per month. So this plan is somewhere in between T-Mobile’s and MetroPCS’s prepaid BlackBerry plans. As long as you want unlimited services, the plan prices are pretty fair.
Is that worth the downside of the up-front cost? If you don’t want a contract, I suppose it’s your only option. Do any BBGeeks readers have prepaid BlackBerry devices? If so, care to share your experience? You can leave it in the comments, and if you want to talk about it at length, we can set something up for the BBGeekcast. Just email me, jpawlikowski at bbgeeks.
80 comments… read them below or add one
I’ve heard of people using a BlackBerry on Boost, but your options are limited. The 8350i is the only current iDEN compatible BlackBerry (though there is an older model). To use an existing BlackBerry on their CDMA network means reflashing. That’s a process in itself.
The only prepaid BB service that uses SIM cards is T-Mobile, but I’m not sure if that will work. It should, in theory, but the T-Mobile plan is pretty limited. It’s one service plan covering one device. Not sure if they’d allow outside devices on that plan.
With T-Mobile, to be more specific, it’s one phone tied to one plan. Since there are no other phone options for that one plan, and no other plan options for that one phone, I’m not sure you could get away with it.
Do any of these pre-paid plans use SIM cards so you could just bring over a blackberry you’ve already got?
I used to run a BB on Boost, but that was with a Nextel BB. Boost has to be leveraging the fact that they are Sprint’s prepaid division, which is the only reason the Curve 8330 would work on it… since the 8330 doesn’t use SIM cards. I’m getting rid of a Sprint Pearl 8130 now… wonder if it would work on the Boost plan, but since CDMA providers have those ESN databases that probably won’t be the case.
There is a plan without contract on T-Mobile named even more Plus (flexplay).
A Blackberry even more plus begin @ 60 $ with 500 mn talk and finish at 80$ unlimited web text talk
Sprint’s service being CDMA requires a phone’s ESN to be active. So theoretically if Boost will be using Sprint’s service then the 8330 will have an ESN which will have to be activated with Boost. Now my question is if we can provide a BB9630 ESN to Boost and will it work???
i am looking for information on the Blackberry 8330.
I want ot try and make a Sprint 8330 work on Boost. Has anyone worked out a way to accomlish this?
I would appreciate a response at;
pcsbob@netzero.net
I just got the blackberry from boost 8330 n previously worked for cricket and used their services and I have also used tmobile flexpay. I think boost blackberry is great, great signal great feat. the blackberry was expensive but its upfront price with $60 bill every month. with tmobile plus tax you will be paying maybe $90 a month wit tax that why I left they flexplay plan I dnt want my bill to be over 70 a month with tax and its not yyaaayyy I recommend the blackberry especially if your the first time smart phone user!
I just purchased the blackberry curve 8330 by
boost mobile. LOVE IT, LOVE IT.
I just had to upgrade after having
my same cell for eight years. It is worth
the 249.00 for me, I plan on keeping it for at
least 7-8 years. Yes I am very cheap.
Verizon sucks with the contracts. NO MORE
I have heard several rumors even on the news that the 8330 BB for boost is limited and has several problems processing emails etc. it is pure luck if it works flawlessly but chances are, you’ll be discouraged, and it does NOT feature the chirp, which is what boost is famous for, so why did they drop that from this phone is beyond me…??
I purchased the Boost offering of an 8330 Blackberry with the unlimited plan for $60/mo. I love it and it works great. It’s fast on emails but really large sites I can’t download all the way. But I don’t think that’s a problem from the service provider, just a limitation of the 8330. When I purchased it, I was told by the sales rep that it could also be used as a modem for an IP. The included software says it can be used that way and offers set-up directions. but the set up requires a user name and password. Does anyone know what user name and password to use for Boost Mobile. should it be run as a Sprint CDMA? Called up BB customer service but they were unable to help me….Thanks
@Randy check this forum post out for tips on what may be entered:
http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.php/Using_BlackBerry_As_Modem
Looks like for Boost it is Blank U/N, Blank pass and S=2 for the number
joshua. to give you a simple explenation the sim car make the B/B work with nextel (very bad service) with this new esn service will work only with sprint(veter service and 3g web)
i have bb from boost for one month now and im happy .i have boost for over 1 year and i m happy with their service.i finish with tmobile becouse of them taxes,fees and surcearges.i’ll recomand to everyone the bb.
Cooper, super-useful stuff. Having the option to use the BB as a modem would make a world of difference and if it IS a safe bet, I think I’m sold. After 10 years with AT&T (AND Cingular, AND *ahem* PacBell, lol) I’m just about over the contract BS. My contract was up yesterday and I’ve been eyeing Boost for the past few months :)
I purchased the boost mobile blackberry curve 8330 nearly a month ago and so far enjoy the phone and service. I can download free applications and phone service is great. I don’t have any problems with text or yahoo. However the only problem… major problem that I have is that media player does not play full screen movies… Each time I watch videos from internet.. can not seem to make them full screen… What can I do to make my media player play full screen movies… Any help or suggestions are truly appreciated. Thanks.
@lady Some videos will play full screen and some won’t. There is nothing you can do – it is a limitation of the particular video clip you are watching.
Thanks Cooper for the info… perhaps I am watching those that are not full screen… Again I do like boost mobile blackberry 8330, it’s a very nice phone and so far the service is awesome. I will re-boost (pay the required monthly fee for the service) in a few days and let you know how is goes.. Take care
Hey Cooper, thanks for the info! I’m currently a Boost Mobile customer and have enjoyed their $50/monthly unlimited plan for several months now… When I first signed up, I decided to go with the only phone they had at the time that featured a full QWERTY keyboard, the Motorola i465 (or Clutch). The drawback you mentioned when going with a pre-paid setup was in full effect, as I had to pay a whopping $230 for it… I was upgrading from a Sprint flip-phone, so it was pretty cool at first, but now this i465 is driving me insane! Theres nothing physically wrong with the phone, its the software. Its clumsy and very unintuitive, and you feel like there are tons of other options and features that are being hidden from you. Just to send a text to a frequently-used contact, I have to press 6 buttons to get the person’s name and get to the point where I can enter the message. Anyway, without going into more boring detail, the phone has been a $200 disappointment.
I was hoping since its only been about 5 months since I bought my i465 that Boost or RadioShack (the physical retailer I bought the phone from) would be doing some sort of ‘upgrade to Blackberry’ promotion… but, of course, they’re not… so, my question to you is: If I were to find a good/better deal on some other model Blackberry, or get one from a friend who just upgraded to a Droid or iPhone, would I be able to use it with my current Boost Mobile account? I have it set to ask for my SIM pin when it is powered on, so I think it uses a card… Would I be able to pop the SIM card out of my i465 and put it into an unlocked/older Blackberry? Thanks again!
@edub Technically yes you could use the sim in the BlackBerry (unlocked) and get some service. There would however be an issue with services like BBM and email as they require a specific BlackBerry data plan to work.
I have the Boost branded Blackberry Curve. My better half has one as well. I am impressed with the price of service at $60 a month, and the phone as well. Unfortunately, I am not impressed with the signal quality. I live in Orange County, New York and just about every call I make or receive gets dropped. One minute I’ll have full signal the next I have none. It’s up and down. I can sit the phone on the table and just watch it fluctuate constantly. I keep thinking about switching to another company but after spending the money for the phone I feel a little stuck. It’s a very discouraging experience. Data works (somewhat slowly), and texting works but voice is suffering severely. Unless there is a solution for the dropped calls, I would give them 2 out of 5 stars for their CDMA network.
I bought the Boost Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8330 on March 3rd & LOVE it so far, great calls, fast internet, no problems with e-mail or text.
I upgraded from a almost 3 year old Motorola 855e from Boost. What a BIG upgrade.
I was on the $50 a month unlimited & now I am on the $60 a month unlimited Black Berry.
Best $250 dollars I ever spent.
does anyone know if you can use bbm on the boost network? and what kind of apps can you download?
I just purchased the Black Berry yesterday. I feel very disappointed. It freezes during text messaging and sometimes I don’t even receive the message until later. The signal strength SUCKS everywhere I went in Jacksonville, Florida. Is there anything I can do to increase the signal strength or should I return it and go back to my Clutch :’(
@Joey It definitely sounds like the issues you are having are network related. I would try another model of BB (or just a new device) to be sure. If it persists then you may have to go back to the Clutch.
My understanding is that Boost Mobile operates on the Nextel network, and that you can use any Nextel blackberry with their service.
Is there anyone from the North Jersey (Sussex County) area who has this with Boost? I’m thinking of getting one; but I’ve heard that their coverage can be spotty at best up here and would like to hear from someone who has it first. Thanks!
just got my boost bb and am wondering if i can download the pandora app on it, ? if so , how? thanks peeps
@Brian You can get Pandora sent to your device by visiting this link from your BlackBerry browser http://www.pandora.com
Regarding Pandora on a Boost Mobile BlackBerry: does anyone know if using Pandora will incur extra data charges? I know in the past various unlimited plans weren’t really unlimited and Pandora uses a lot of data. Fine print can be difficult to understand so I thought I’d ask here. Thanks. :)
so can anyone actually tell me if i can use my bbrry 8330 from sprint on boost ? lots of websites say i could
I live in a major city (PHL) so I know the network will not be an issue, what concerns me is if the plan is really “unlimited” is there any additional data plan that you need to purchase beyond the 60$ monthly. Also I currently have a Centro, but an really fed up with ATT, will I notice the “downgrade” as the 8330 is supposed to be really outdated?
if you have an unlocked bb thats not from nextel it cannot be put on boost mobile cuase its on a gsm network the only service u can put it with is simple mobile. http://www.simplemobile.com
I had the Boost BB (Nextel) 8350i flashed. It worked well (voice), but rather slow with the Nextel data network. I switched to the Boost BB 8330(CDMA)$60.00 unlimited plan and can’t be happier. The voice and data is 3G fast. Facebook works great! I have downloaded dozen of free apps; ESPN, Beyond 411, Viigo, Engadget, free Bible, OperaMini etc. Email as well as SSM & MMS works flawlessly. I downloaded 3 radio stations; Pandora, Slacker and iHeartMusic and I can multi-task while I listen to my fav radio stations. As far as price and unlimited everything it is worth the money….go for it as it beats post-paid anytime!
Does the boost mobile blackberry curve support bluetooth? Because a lot of the boost mobile phones have the bluetooth just for show..
@Jasmine Yes the Bluetooth on your BlackBerry should work fine.
Anyone who lives in Portland, Oregon has brought one and how is your experince with it so far? I am paying $50 a month for a basic unlimited prepaid cell service and have to pay extra for web service and texting. I am seriously thinking about buying a Blackberry for $10 more for monthly service, but getting 20 times more.
how do you pay for the blackberry with boost? do you have to buy a $50 and a $10 reboost card?
@leanna Nope you have to jump on their $60 / month BlackBerry plan:
http://plans.boostmobile.com/blackberry.aspx
Im thinnkin about doing the boostmobile BB, is the Facebook download compatible with it. Also does it work on the BBM network.
@JD yes you can use the Facebook app and BBM on the Boost network.
is anyone having problems texting boost to boost on the blackberry?
plz help!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@guitarez I have not heard any major gripes about texting on Boost recently but I do know that it can be somewhat inconsistent on their network.
I have a blackberry tour 9630 from sprint. will it work on boost with all the apps? I just like the look and quality feel from the 9630 better than the curve. Please advise
Thanks
@Andy Unfortunately not =(
just curious…i am looking to buy a blackberry from boost mobile. is bb with boost similar to other boost phones to the extent of you have to purchase the music from boost to play as ringtones, or can you play downloaded music as ringtones without purchasing?
@travis You should be able to transfer any music you like to your Boost BlackBerry and use them as ringtones.
So are you guys saying that in order to get the Blackberry on Boost, i would have to actually buy a nextel capable BB phone from boost? I wouldnt be able to go buy a BB phone from anyone and still be able to use it on Boost network?
@ashley Yes that is correct.
i bought the boost blackberry exactly a month ago, IT SUCKSSSSS!! i changed to Boost because Tmobile was getting to pricey i really miss my blackberry BOLD 9700 the boost blackberry freezes alot, and it doesnt come with a memory stick .. I DONOT Recommend this phone!!!!!!!
I have the boost moble blackberry curce 8330, Pandora, and an Alpine KCE-400BT bluetooth module hooked to a CDA-9886 headunit. When I listen to Pandora via the headphone jack on the curve, everything sounds clear and crisp. However, when I listen to Pandora via bluetooth, on my car stereo, the music’s treble seems severly cut off. Anyone have similar problems? Tried a iPhone 3S running Pandora on my bluetooth setup and it sounded great.
Boost has a strict policy of NOT refunding payments. Everything is added to your account and will be used to pay for future service. Just buy 2 $30 cards every month and don’t worry about your credit card being over-billed. Other than that, I love my Boost BB 8330. It’s a bit slow for web browsing but I think that’s a limitation of the phone itself. Also, Opera Mini tends to crash the OS requiring a battery pull.
I think the Boost deal seems to be getting better and better while Sprint (the main parent company) has customers like me still handling more and more fees with their $99 unlimited plan. I wish Sprint had thought about making the Boost deal a universal one across the company – Sprint customers like myself really feel this is unfair. While I can’t afford to break my contract, I do think the Boost deal is a great money saver and I can’t see why Sprint couldn’t make it a universal price across the two companies. I think its time to email Sprint’s President (http://sites.google.com/site/sprintcustomersunite/ ) and let him know how all Sprint customers deserve the same options.
I am currently using an iPhone 2g unlocked with T-Mobile. I pay 55 bucks for 500 min and unlimited text and no Internet service. Do you think I should switch to the BB from Boost?
Considering getting Boost with Blackberry for $60./month. Seems like some have been pleased, others have not.
What about issues in their fine print: State & local sales taxes & fees may apply when adding funds to your Boost Mobile account.Is it really only $60 per month, or will I get sucked into paying more than that?
Currently have a Sprint talk only plan and want to upgrade, but the Sprint prices are way more than I want to spend.
can i switch the sim card from my boost clutch to a blackberry curve? i hate my clutch and im considering a bb but im not sure yet and i figured i should ask.
Wow alot of mis information out there. You can use a Sprint branded Curve or Tour on Boost CDMA the trick is to get the full features working aka mms and browser you need to dwnload the correct service books for Boost Blackberrys, but it should do voice and mms instantly after activating it with a rep on the phone. I just dont like the hassle so I just stick to Sprint branded Windows Mobile phones.They activate fully without any additional steps needed other than giving the rep your dec. I could not be happier with my Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2 on Boost Mobile, previously I had a Palm Treo pro on Boost aswell. Boost is an excellent service provider because its Sprint. Just the stock offering of phones sux but for $50 a month simply everything you cant beat it anyway you slice it.
All Boost mobile phone run on either the old nextel IDEN network (not always good coverage) or the Sprint 3G network (usually excellent coverage except if u happen, like with any network, to live in an area not well covered….like the guy from Orange county, NY). So if u want good coverage you have to 1) make sure u have good sprint 3G coverage in your area by looking on a map online and/or finding a neighbor using a sprint 3G phone & ask if it works well 2) buy a 3G phone such as the Sanyo Incogni to or the Blackberry Curve 8330. Stay away from the boost phones stil running on IDEN unless u hav bad 3G coverage in your area and still have the old towers for the IDEN in which case u may have no option if u want a boost plan. but your texts will probably be delayed sometimes and other things if your not on 3G. Hope that helps!
I need to know if an unlocked Blackberry 9630 will work with Boost Mobile. I unlocked the phone using the unlock code, but its still not working. What do I have to do cause I am tired of this slow, half working Motorola i465! Please help me!!!
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone answer the question about putting a sim card from a regular Boost Mobile phone like the I465 into the Boost Mobile Blackberry 8330. Would that work?
@Lidu Al The answer to that is yes you can use a standard Boost sim in a Boost BlackBerry but not in the curve 8330 as it is CDMA. For eligible/compatible devices you will have to have the Boost sim already activated and it will work for standard calls. You will have to jump through hoops to get everything else working though.
Heard you could get a sprint blackberry tour flashed so it will work with boost. Is this true and can you do it yourself?
i want to change from t-mobile to boostmobile unlimted blackberry plan if i do so does, i still want to stay with my t-mobile phone whick is the javelin 8900 from t-mobile will boostmobile bb unlimted work with this phone or do i have to unlock it or can i get a bb from sprint and if i do will that work ??? plz tell me wat BlackBErry u know work with boostmobile bb unlimted for sure thanx
I currently have a 9360 blackberry Tour working on the boostmobile network. I have only had it for 2 days but so far everything works. I can get mms, sms the only thing is I can’t get blackberry email its on the 50$ a month plan. I would like to be able to get all my emails. So far so good I’m not complaining I like 50 dollars a month compared to what I had been paying with the sprint plan.
hey copper i have boostmobile already but does a bb 9700 work/boostmobile network
@jose Unfortunately the 9700 is a GSM device and is not compatible with the Boost network.
I’m looking at switching to the boost mobile bb plan from T-mobile. I’ve had my phone number since I got my 1st phone with Verizon and don’t want to change it. Will boost switch over my number?
@Chantelle Yes you should be able to have your number ported over to the Boost network.
I want to know what prepaid service I can use on an unlocked Sprint BB Tour. I was told it has to be a GMS network, I just want to insure I purchase the proper SIM on a good prepaid network. Thank you!
I had a bb 9630 (unlocked from sprint) and I activated just waiting for the blackberry server connection and they disconnect my service because the tour is not “compatible” was working fine just they want you to buy their crapy phones… I had to go back to my older phone and looking for another solution for now :(
I have the blackberry tour 9630 sim unlocked and verizon branded. I am thinking about getting the boostmobileplan.. either the blackberry or just the unlimited plan. Will it work?Can I put the boostmobile simcard inside my tour and make it work?
@Raphi Nope unfortunately your device will not work on the Boost network.
i have a bb curve i deleted my call log by accident, how do i retrived it back.
@Rosan You can’t it is gone.
I have a blackberry pearl 8100 that I have unlocked. Is there any way that I can program the phone to work with a boost SIM card or one of the prepaid SIM cards?
@chelsie Unfortunately Boost uses a different kind of network so hooking up most BlackBerry devices will not work.
you can use your blackberry on boost but only when your phone is unlocked properly i.e. network field showing disabled.
Ok im confused..why is the blackberry 60$ a month and not 50$? I have a Samsung prevail for boost mobile with everything unlimited for 50$ and the only reason why im thinking of switching from prevail to blackberry is cause I find the touch screens frustrating to text with but so far everything else about the prevail is great. The blackberry has smaller screens so it can’t access some sites that the prevail can and also watching videos is better on the prevail so im curious,why is the blackberry 60$ a month when the prevail is 50$ month?
I have a Sprint Blackberry Style 9670. I was wondering if I could use it with Boost?
Jalili, they say you can’t, but I’d take it to an independent Boost Mobile dealer. They might be able to help you out.