What Network Does Boost Mobile Use?

Boost Mobile is one of America’s largest prepaid phone brands, formerly owned by Sprint and now living under Dish. 

Like every small carrier, or MVNO, Boost Mobile makes use of a larger network to provide nationwide coverage to its 7.5 million customers. Specifically, Boost primarily uses T-Mobile's coverage network.

You'd presume that arrangement gives Boost Mobile customers access to the same great 4G LTE and 5G coverage that T-Mobile customers enjoy—and mostly, it does. In this article, we'll provide a detailed explanation of which network Boost Mobile uses, and outline some things you should be aware of before signing up for a Boost Mobile cell phone plan.

What Towers Does Boost Mobile Use?

Boost Mobile mostly uses T-Mobile’s towers to provide top-notch 5G and 4G LTE coverage to their customers. Due to a long series of mergers and sales, some Boost Mobile customers may use AT&T or Dish networks for coverage, but most existing customers and all new customers will use T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G networks.

Here's how T-Mobile's coverage network stacks up against the likes of Verizon and AT&T, the two other predominant national networks: 

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Boost Mobile Coverage Map

Boost Mobile makes use of T-Mobile’s network, so generally speaking, wherever there’s T-Mobile coverage, there’s Boost Mobile coverage (with a slight caveat—more on that in a bit). 

Boost Mobile 4G LTE Coverage

As the map shows, T-Mobile/Boost Mobile’s 4G LTE coverage spans most of the United States, apart from a few dead zones in Nevada, Arizona, and parts of the Northwest. The wide reach of 4G means it’s usually the signal you’ll get in rural areas where 5G towers haven’t been built yet. If you live in one of these areas, going with Boost Mobile for your cell phone service is a wise move indeed. 

Boost Mobile 5G Coverage

Like its 4G coverage, T-Mobile/Boost Mobile 5G network is wide-ranging. Most of the country is blanketed by this 5G coverage, outside of a few of those same blank spots in the West. Some of this 5G network is made up of so-called Ultra Capacity 5G (UC), which offers enhanced speeds and reliability. 

How T-Mobile Coverage and Boost Mobile Coverage Differs

Boost Mobile shares the same network with T-Mobile, so Boost Mobile customers should theoretically receive the same level of coverage as regular T-Mobile customers. However, it’s important to keep in mind that major carriers tend to give priority to their own subscribers in times of network congestion, which can translate to slower—i.e. deprioritized—speeds for customers on subcarriers like Boost. That said, this tends to only be an occasional issue, and you may not notice any slowdowns aboard Boost. 

Boost Mobile Plans

Boost Mobile sells three core unlimited plans: the $30/month Unlimited plan, the $55/month Unlimited+ plan, and the $65/month Unlimited Premium plan. 

All three of plans feature guaranteed premium (i.e. un-deprioritized) data, while the latter two also offer Global Talk & Text. Here’s how they break down: 

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Boost Mobile Phones

Looking for a new phone? Boost Mobile sells a full range of Android and Apple phones to enjoy their excellent 4G and 5G coverage with. This includes the new iPhone 16 series, the Samsung Galaxy S24 line, and a smattering of Motorola devices. If you prefer, you can bring your own phone to Boost Mobile, as the carrier accepts most unlocked modern handsets on its network. If you’re wondering about your phone’s compatibility with Boost Mobile, you can input your IMEI into their phone checker. 

The Bottom Line

Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network to provide reliable coverage for their users at a more cost-effective price point than you can normally find with the Big Three carriers.

Looking for the best phone plan deals from other carriers? Try our free, unbiased Plan Finder. With just a few clicks, we can sort through thousands of plan options to find the best choices for you based on how much data you want, what add-ons you’re interested in, and how much money you’re looking to spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whose towers does Boost Mobile use?

Boost Mobile primarily uses T-Mobile's towers for its network infrastructure.

How does Boost compare to Verizon?

Boost Mobile is a prepaid carrier offering affordable plans with no contracts, primarily using T-Mobile's network, which provides good urban coverage but can lag in rural areas. Verizon, on the other hand, is a premium carrier known for its extensive nationwide coverage, faster speeds, and higher reliability, though at a higher price point.

Is Boost Mobile the same as T-Mobile?

No, Boost Mobile is not the same as T-Mobile. Boost Mobile is a separate prepaid carrier that uses T-Mobile's network for coverage but operates independently, offering its own plans and services.