Boost Mobile Prepaid Mobile

Activation had to be completed via telephone. There was no option for online activation. The number to call is 1258881. The time was 9pm and I tried calling the number. They picked it up within one ring. The Call Centre is obviously overseas based but the consultant was very helpful.

I was required to read out the Sim Serial and Service Number which are printed on the sim card. He then asked me for my personal details including full name, address, Date of Birth and Drivers License.

I was advised that activation would take up to 24 hours but usually an hour or so. He told me to insert the sim and await for the welcome TXT message advising me that all was activated. This waiting period is probably the first frustration I have had so far. Not knowing if it will take minutes or hours.

It actually took minutes that is less than 30 minutes anyway. A couple of tips here if you are an Optus or Vodafone customer. Make sure to visit your phone settings under Network Operators and to select and add Telstra, otherwise pointing to either Optus or Vodafone will not get the activation working.

With an activated account, I received a few TXTs from Boost advising me that my balance was quite low. I clicked on the link within the TXT to see my balance (see image below):

Recharging
From here I decided to test the recharge process. It took about 1 minute to recharge via the mobile application. The application of the recharge credit was instantaneous and I was up and running with unlimited calls/TXT and 500MB for 5 days.

Putting the system to the test. I will admit that I don’t have the newest of mobile smart phones. One of the challenges I have had with my Live Connected service has been making calls that stay connected whilst running a 3G service. Most of the time I have to run the phone using the 2G network to have calls that stay connected. Having swapped sim cards this is a phone issue I assume.

Calls
I decided to make my first call at about 8am in a packed Metro train going into Melbourne City. It was probably the clearest phone call I have made in years. Not one dropout (phone had 3G activated).

Data
The next test was internet speed. I have a speed Test application on my phone but I should point out that whilst these applications are useful, there is very little consistency with readings. You can take 5 readings 30 seconds apart from each other and achieve five different results. Therefore take these figures as a very rough guide of speed.

Value for money. Unlimited calls/TXT, message bank, 1300/1800 calls and 3GB of data on the NextG network is great. If you appreciate faster internet speeds and better phone connection, the additional money you spend with Boost is most likely worth it. Consider what one bad phone call can cost you eg miss a job opportunity, make 3 calls instead of one just to complete a conversation. It all adds up.

Coverage
What is the difference be Boost and Kogan/Aldi coverage? Boost Mobile has access to the full Telstra 3G Mobile Network (excluding 4G coverage). Customers with a compatible UMTS (3G) 850MHz device can access the same speeds and coverage as Telstra customers, including coverage of around 99.3% of the Australian population. The Telstra Wholesale coverage footprint is slightly less and does not have access to the same range of speeds.

Good Points

• Delivery of the sim pack was very quick. Kogan advises up to 8 weeks wait.
• Activation process was very quick and recharging was really easy.
• Quality of reception and data speeds are great and the fastest you can get without going directly to Telstra.

Improvements

• $40 is at the top of the market, so you probably need to have a few good reasons to spend that much each 30 days.
• I would have liked the data increments to be p/KB (Telstra does offer this with other prepaid plans), giving you more data value
• Online activation would be great, although I didn’t have to wait when using the Call Centre.

Would I move to Boost?
I personally don’t use my phone enough to justify $40/mth but I have invested in a separate Telstra sim for my iPad which I do use a lot and want the fastest data speeds I can get hold of. Combining the two by tethering through my phone might be a real option.