boost, baby

We went boost. Cell service that is.

You see, since we moved last fall our old cell service barely works at all. Here's where it did work: about 1 minute before I arrive at work, outside my classroom door if I stand on one foot and hop up and down while holding my breath (which makes it pretty difficult to actually talk by the way), followed by about 1 minute on my way home.

What does this mean? We've been paying a whole lot of money for a cell service that requires me to park on the side of the road at the local sheriff's substation to have a conversation that lasts more than exactly 1 minute. Ever.

Our old contract was set to run out in February. We were soooooo looking forward to getting a new service. Then came the news that there may be big, big budget cuts in store for our county's school district. Translation . . . I just may not have a job next year after all. That's a story for another day, but for today, that meant we really didn't want to sign a new contract for a better cell service in our area. Crap. Back to sitting at the substation. At least it's a safe place to sit and chat (there's that silver lining again.)

Then someone told my husband about Boost Mobile. You buy the phone and then pay a $50/month flat fee for unlimited talk, walkie talkie, texting, and web. No contract. Cancel any time. We were saved! The service is actually a Sprint/Nextel network so the only drawback was going back to the not so technology savvy actual phones available. I'm a WANNE BE (not actually at all because I'm too frugal) techno geek and the nice cell phone (via a mistake by the cell company) is really my only claim to fame. I never knew that such nice (translate: sleek and pretty and takes pretty darn good photos) phones existed.

I was unfoundedly excited for a short time when my mom wanted to buy me a Blackberry, only to find out that while such fruity patootie phones are available on the Sprint/Nextel network, they aren't actually available via Boost yet.

Despite my bit of dread, so far, we're pleasantly pleased with the service. It works, get this, AT MY HOUSE, and at ALL POINTS IN BETWEEN WORK AND MY HOUSE. Craziness. I know. We're living on the edge. And I never had web before (see previous comment about being frugal) so despite the fact that texting feels a little wierd and the screen is the lowest pixels I've seen in a long time, I can check sevenchicks from my phone!

Sold.

Comments

[Heather Suber]

I have been wanting to look into this Boost, it seems too good to be true. Is there a calling area that if you go out of you get charged roaming?

[Jessica W.]

It does sound too good to be true. Since you're the guinie pig, in a month you should write another blog with pros and cons of Boost.

[photochick]

Heather- not that I know of. You pay $50 in advance for the month, with no contract, so they really have no way to charge you anything else. You go in each month and pay your next month's payment if you choose. Of course, you can set it up for auto pay also.

Jessica- will do! we've had it a while now and so far, so good. i'll get back with you soon.

[singerchick]

Interesting!

[Rachel Gross]

Hey, this is Rachel from Boost Mobile. Just wanted to welcome you and thank you for the review, it is always nice to hear from our peeps (pun intended).