Boost Mobile To Offer 4G Service With HTC EVO Design 4G Smartphone

Boost Mobile announced its first 4G smartphone in the form of the HTC EVO Design 4G. This phone connects to Sprint's 3G and 4G WiMAX networks and offers 4G service in 71 markets across the country. While connected to WiMAX, customers can expect average upload speeds between 3-6 Mbps. The EVO Design 4G is the first smartphone in Boost Mobile's lineup to offer 4G speeds along with the carrier's no-contract $55 per month unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. The HTC EVO Design 4G will be available on May 31 for $299.99. The phone features a 1.2GHz processor, 4-inch qHD capacitive touchscreen display, Android 4.0 and HTC Sense, and a 5MP rear-facing camera. Although Boost Mobile's data plan is unlimited, later this year the carrier plans to throttle users to speeds of 256kbps when data usage exceeds 2.5GB in a month.

Boost Mobile Pairs the Speed of 4G and Android Monthly Unlimited for as Low as $40 with HTC EVO Design 4G

IRVINE, Calif., – May 2, 2012 – Boost Mobile, ranked Highest in Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers by J.D. Power and Associates[1], today announced the May 31 release of HTC EVO Design 4G™, a member of the award-winning EVO family. This robust Android smartphone will operate on Sprint’s 3G and 4G (WiMAX) networks, bringing 4G speeds to Boost Mobile customers in 71 markets across the country with average upload speeds between 3-6 Mbps with bursts of more than 10 Mbps.

This will be the first device that pairs the speed of 4G with the value of Boost Mobile’s award-winning, no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile’s Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.

HTC EVO Design 4G will be available on May 31 for $299.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile’s exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.comwith free shipping. It will be available in June at Best Buy, Radio Shack and Walmart.

“We are telling our customers to ‘Be Heard’ and not sacrifice technology or speed for value,” said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. “HTC EVO Design is a strong match with Boost’s $55 Monthly Unlimited plan enabling our customers to enjoy the features of this robust device. With our shrinking monthly plans, customers will be able to enjoy an unlimited experience on an EVO device for as low as $40 a month – an industry first.”   

Launching as a no-contract exclusive with Boost Mobile, HTC EVO Design 4G boasts many of the “must-have” features of its post-paid predecessors, including a 4-inch qHD capacitive touchscreen display, while sporting a slim, pocket-friendly aluminum unibody design. HTC EVO Design 4G combines the acclaimed HTC Sense™ experience with Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. Additional features include:

• 1.2GHz processor
• 5MP rear-facing camera/camcorder with flash and HD video recording and 1.3MP front-facing camera for video chat
• Stereo Bluetooth
• Visual Voicemail
• Wi-Fi hotspot capable
• External memory slot for up to 32GB (2GB card included.)

For the first time on Boost Mobile, this device will include Visual Voicemail, powered by Smith Micro. At no additional cost, users can listen to messages in their order of preference and manage them with a simple tap of the screen.

This is also the first Boost Mobile device enabled with built-in mobile hotspot functionality allowing up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 3G or 4G experience on the go with a laptop, camera, music player, game unit, video player, or any other Wi-Fi enabled device. Use of this feature requires an additional fee of $10 per month.

Later this year, in order to provide the best value and customer experience, Boost Mobile will move to reduce 3G/4G data speeds to 3G speeds of 256kbps when a customer’s data usage exceeds 2.5GB in a month. Customers who go over the 2.5GB threshold may experience slower page loads, file downloads and streaming media. Data speeds will restore to full 3G/4G speeds when a customer’s new monthly plan begins. 

Boost Mobile will continue to provide unlimited data access without a contract, usage cap, overage or activation fees. Based on recent usage patterns, approximately 95 percent of Boost Mobile customers use less than 2.5GB of data usage per month and will not experience any difference in their experience. Boost Mobile is committed to ensuring an unlimited robust data experience and intends to maintain 3G data speeds of 256 Kbps even after surpassing 2.5GB in a given month.

For more information, please visit http://www.boostmobile.com/htc-evo-design-4g.