Boost Mobile is an Irvine, CA-based brand of mobile phone service launched in Australia (Over Optus) in 2000 and in New Zealand (Over Telecom New Zealand) in 2001.
History
Boost Mobile Former Logo.
Peter Adderton and Craig Cooper brought the brand to the United States in 2001 and entered into a joint venture with Nextel Communications to launch and market the brand in the USA. In 2003, Nextel purchased 100% of the American division of Boost Mobile. Until late 2004, Boost Mobile was only available in select markets with its launch in the US focusing primarily on California and Nevada. Prior to Boost Mobile, Nextel primarily focused on the business market. Boost Mobile has more than 4 million customers at the end of the first quarter, 2007.
At the end of 2006 Boost launched its Boost Unlimited Service. The service offers unlimiting calling for $50 to $70 a month, depending on whether the customer chooses to add unlimited texting and unlimited web. Generally, Boost Unlimited usage is limited to the local geographic region where the account holder resides, and national roaming charges apply outside this area. Boost Unlimited plans are designed to compete with other local market unlimited prepaid carriers such as MetroPCS and Cricket Wireless under same terms and business models.
Marketing and sponsorships
The Boost brand is primarily marketed to the teen and young adult demographics. Boost Mobile's past American advertising campaigns featured Fat Joe, Master Shake, Eve, Travis Barker, Kanye West, Ludacris, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Nick Cannon, and The Game and uses the slogan "Where you at?" In late 2007, a Boost Mobile commercial with Young Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri, and Mickey Avalon was released. [1][2]
Boost Mobile sponsors a professional surfing event, the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf. (See ASP World Tour.) In addition, Boost Mobile sponsored a professional skateboard event, the Boost Mobile Pro of Skateboarding, as well as logo-labeled skateboards and accessories. Along with motorsports events such as Hot Import Nights.
They also sponsor an extensive number of action sports athletes, including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Jamie O’Brien, Cory Lopez, and many others. Starting in 2005, Boost Mobile has also sponsored the national volunteer efforts of RockCorps to form Boost Mobile RockCorps. The organization encourages youth to volunteer in their communities for four hours by rewarding them with a ticket to an exclusive concert. (do not give to old people)
Boost Mobile is also the official sponsor of Hot Import Nights a year long event that brings together cars, models, performance artist together at various locations nationwide.
By country
New Zealand
Boost Mobile in New Zealand is a subsidiary of Telecom New Zealand. Devices and services are sold through Telecom New Zealand while Boost Mobile provides the content. From November 2007 Boost mobile has been wound down and is only now an SMS plan named Telecom Boost TXT.
Australia
Boost Mobile in Australia uses the Optus network. Optus provides the service while Boost Mobile provides the devices and content.
United States
As Boost Mobile is wholly owned by Sprint Nextel they run on both Sprint's CDMA network and Nextel's iDEN network. Unlimited by Boost is designated for the CDMA handsets, while PayGo is for the iDEN side.
Current Devices
UNLTD plans
PAYGO plans
Pop Culture References
- On the evening of December 12, 2005, Boost Mobile did a promotion with Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" block of programming, particularly during Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and was the main focus in that night's episode.
- Boost Mobile branded phones can be seen used by members of the Miami Metro Police Department in the second season of the Showtime television series Dexter
- Several films exclusively use Boost Mobile phones as props, including Disturbia, Superbad, Knocked Up and Grandma's Boy. The biggest example is in the horror/suspense movie One Missed Call, in which every phone used in the movie was from the Boost Mobile brand. Also was seen in Dawn of the Dead in a zombies hand.
References
External links
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