For customers who want to save money on their monthly cell phone bill, there are two major prepaid providers in the United States — Boost Mobile and Metro PCS. Both companies offer plans that are significantly cheaper than traditional plans from major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, but they’re also different in many ways. One of the most common questions customers have is whether Boost Mobile and Metro PCS offer the same services, so we’ll compare the two below to help you decide which provider might be best for you.
What is Boost Mobile?
Boost Mobile is a low-cost carrier that has been around since 2001. It was founded when none of the big four carriers were truly unlimited before data was even available to purchase on your phone. At this time, Sprint and other carriers would charge by voice minute or text message – even if you had purchased an unlimited plan. When Boost first arrived at topmycell, there were two other similar prepaid brands – Cricket (owned by AT&T) and Virgin Mobile (owned by Sprint).
Boost charges $35 monthly for unlimited talk, text, data, and mobile hotspot tethering. Their plans also have no contract requirements, which allow customers to come and go as they please with no early termination fees or commitments.
What does Boost Mobile do?
While Boost Mobile is a wireless company, it differs in many ways. For starters, its plans are not just limited to data. These other features that it offers include international talk time, roaming (if you’re outside of your home country), text messages, and voicemail retrieval. They also offer buy-one-get-one phone deals every few months, which come with a phone number but do not require contracts or deposits.
Boost Mobile is worth looking into if you have low credit scores because they will allow people with lower credit scores to sign up for services through co-signers or by using an installment plan.
What is Metro PCS?
MetroPCS is a leading no-contract wireless service provider for America’s most progressive mobile phone users. No-contract service with MetroPCS means you don’t have to be tied to a two-year contract, so you can switch carriers or discontinue your service without penalty. Our no-contract cell phone plans offer great value by the day, week, or month. You also get 4G LTE smartphones like iPhone 5s, LG Optimus L90, Nokia Lumia 822, and Samsung Galaxy J3 Prime available for you!
How does MetroPCS work?
MetroPCS is a wireless service provider that provides cell phone coverage through its nationwide network of own cell towers. MetroPCS was launched as a new, no-contract provider in 2002 by McCaw Cellular Communications. It was renamed T-Mobile USA in 2004 after T-Mobile Europe purchased it. In 2013, however, MetroPCS bought back its shares from Deutsche Telekom to go public with an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
How are they different?
Boost and Metro are not the same. The biggest difference is that Boost has coverage of over 185 million people in North America, which includes many rural areas. In comparison, Metro has coverage of over 103 million people in North America. This means that for customers who live in a rural area or if their home network fails, it will be easier to find a working cell signal on Boost than on Metro. However, if you live in an urban area like New York City or Chicago, you’ll likely have similar coverage with both companies. If you’re still unsure which company is best for you, then go ahead and give them a call or visit their website to get more details about their offerings so that you can make an informed decision.
Who should use each service?
MetroPCS offers four plans for individuals, families, and prepaid business lines. The company is also famous for its popular six-month financing option, which makes it easy to get a phone without getting hit with any upfront fees. One plan, Metro Select+ 6 Months Interest-Free, offers unlimited talk and text plus 6GB of high-speed data for $30 per month. Their Unlimited Service costs $45 per month for 12GB of high-speed data plus unlimited talk and text. Boost mobile offers individual and family plans with just one data plan: 3GB of high-speed data per month.
What networks do Metro by T-Mobile and Boost Mobile use?
Both Boost Mobile and Metro PCS use T-Mobile’s network. They are often used interchangeably for a couple of reasons: They provide similar coverage. The other is that both companies offer lower-cost cell phone plans without contracts or commitments. However, both companies have special features that may appeal to you. For example, while they might share the same network, Metro by T-Mobile offers no overage charges, meaning you can spend as much data as you want without getting any more expensive than your current plan. This could be beneficial if you frequently run up against your data limit.
Which one has better coverage, Boost Mobile or Metro PCS?
While Boost Mobile and Metro PCS offer cell phone services, their coverage areas differ. Both providers have relatively sparse coverage in rural areas, with AT&T and Verizon having a stronger presence in these places. In general, one provider may work better for you than the other. The issue is deciding which one will work best for you. I prefer to use AT&T as my cellular service provider because I spend more time in rural areas where it has better coverage. Still, if you do not go outside of your city much or live in a city with less population density, other options would probably be better suited for your needs, such as T-Mobile or Sprint, which have more robust networks in urban areas.
Final Thoughts
So, to answer your question, Is Boost Mobile the same as Metro PCS? There are a few differences. First, there are now two different networks to choose from in America: AT&T or T-Mobile. Secondly, both Boost and Metro have their offers, discounts, prices, and plans. For example, with Boost Mobile, you pay $50 for unlimited talk/text but no data, while with T-Mobile, you only pay $30 for unlimited talk/text/data on a one-month plan (but data speeds will be reduced). Finally, there is Sprint’s prepaid network Virgin Wireless.
