Amazon is getting into the wireless game – sort of. The online retail giant has partnered with Boost prepaid mobile service to offer a special deal to its Prime subscribers that offers a modest bit of savings.
Amazon has flirted with the mobile business for years, from offering its own failed Fire phone to selling discounted handsets with ads as Prime exclusive phones. There has long been talk about Amazon offering its own service plans.
This offer is a baby step in that direction, with Prime members getting a unique discount when they sign up for Boost’s unlimited 5G service. But is it really a great deal? Let’s break it down.
What’s the deal?
Amazon’s deal consists of a 20% discount off of its Unlimited SIM Kit, as well as a $25 bill credit toward your first month of service from Boost Infinite. Prime members are also pre-approved for the service.
What is Boost Infinite?
Boost Infinite is a service plan that guarantees wireless service and unlimited 5G data for $25 a month for life. It’s offered by prepaid mobile service provider, Boost, which is owned by satellite TV provider Dish Wireless.
Wait, Dish Wireless as in Dish Network?
Yes, Dish Network, rebranded Dish Wireless, is the longtime satellite TV provider that’s now gotten into the wireless game. It acquired the Boost business from Sprint, which itself was being taken over by T-Mobile in 2020. At the same time, Dish has slowly been building out its wireless infrastructure for the last several years.
So Dish Wireless has its own network?
Yes, but Boost also runs on the T-Mobile and AT&T networks to fully augment its coverage. Dish is still building out its own nationwide 5G network.
So back to the deal, is it worth it?
The biggest savings comes from the $25 bill credit. The Unlimited SIM Kit is valued at $25, so that’s another $5 off.
But if you just purchase Boost Infinite through Boost itself, you won’t need to pay for the $20 SIM Kit, which is optional.
If you factor both, the Amazon deal is better, but only by $5.
Amazon touts the other benefit as the ability to order and activate the service from the convenience of your home.
Any other difference with the Amazon deal?
Nope. Your monthly bill, after that first month, is the same as if you signed up with Boost itself.
What about Boost itself?
Boost offers another similar unlimited data deal for $25 a month and knocks off $12.50 from the deal. You get a free SIM card. The big difference is this doesn’t have the “for life” price guarantee.
Any other costs to consider?
It’s not just a $25 flat rate. You’ll have to pay state and federal taxes.
What is the Unlimited SIM Kit?
The SIM Kit allows you to activate your phone without stepping into a Boost store. Amazon will ship the SIM kit to you. You’ll need to purchase the kit to activate the deal.
How does the bill credit work?
Once you activate your service, you’ll get a $25 rebate off your first bill.
Is it really unlimited?
Yes and sort of. Boost will never cut off your data service, but if you exceed 30 gigabytes of data in a month, the company may throttle, or slow down, your connection.
How many lines can I get?
There’s a limit of 5 lines.