Boost Mobile Launches New Nationwide 5G Network

Wireless carrier Boost Mobile – a unit of EchoStar Corp. – has revamped its branding and service pricing around the launch of services on the company’s new 5G mobile network whose underlying architecture relies on cloud-native Open RAN 5G network technology.

Boost Mobile – marketing under the “newest wireless carrier” tagline – unveiled the new look network and service on July 17.

From the business side of the equation the new service offering reflects EchoStar’s merging of its prepaid Boost Mobile and postpaid Boost Infinite services into the single rebranded service.

For consumers, the pitch keys on improved service quality of the new 5G network including access to more wireless towers than any other U.S. wireless brand, and simplicity of the service lineup, which still features prepaid and postpaid services under one brand, and unlimited service plans starting at $25 per month.

The carrier is also launching a 30-day money-back guarantee for new customers to try out the new 5G network and see for themselves.

On the architecture side, Boost Mobile is benefiting from its efforts build the network on Open RAN technology that it says will ensure consumers have access to fast 5G network speeds and the latest in network technology.

Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) architecture is a nonproprietary version of the radio access network that allows interoperability between wireless network equipment made by different equipment vendors.

EchoStar and its extended family of companies including Dish Wireless set out on the Open RAN path long ago, and in January of this year received a $50 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to create its Open RAN Center for Integration & Deployment (ORCID).

That facility, based in Cheyenne, Wyo., opened its doors last month offering vendors the capacity   to test and validate O-RAN solutions using EchoStar’s live commercial-grade cloud-native Open RAN network.

EchoStar co-founder and Chairman Charlie Ergen said that ORCID “will serve a critical role in strengthening the global Open RAN ecosystem and building the next generation of wireless networks.”

“There is too much complexity in the wireless market today,” said EchoStar CEO Hamid Akhavan in announcing the new 5G network launch. “Boost Mobile is simplifying its digital purchasing experience and offerings to give consumers more flexibility and choice with unbelievable value.”

“Today’s announcement is the first step of many designed to further empower Boost Mobile customers,” the CEO pledged. “In contrast to other carriers that continue to raise rates, add fees and layer extras into plans that customers simply don’t want or need, Boost is delivering transparent plans that allow customers to buy exactly the services they need, while saving hundreds of dollars annually compared to other wireless carriers.”