Boost Mobile is now offering no-contract 4G LTE WiFi hotspot data plans and devices to customers, starting at $49.99 for a mobile hotspot device and $25 per month for a 1.5GB data plan. A 10GB mobile hotspot data plan is also available for $50 a month.
The portable mobile hotspot device used for the new service, the Netgear Fuse, is available immediately at Best Buy stores and will be available through BoostMobile.com starting July 17. It will also be available in select Boost Mobile stores and through select wireless dealers in August, according to the company.
The Fuse hotspots will allow users to simultaneously connect up to 10 WiFi-enabled devices at a time, indoors or outdoors, as part of Boost Mobile’s first WiFi hotspot offering.
“In today’s highly connected world, Internet access shouldn’t be expensive or difficult to find,” Angela Rittgers, vice president of marketing for Boost Mobile, said in a statement. “With the Netgear Fuse launch and our no-contract Wi-Fi Hotspot plans, Boost Mobile offers fast, secure Web surfing that doesn’t cost a fortune.”
The Fuse, which is small enough to fit in a pocket, is powered by a 2,500mAh rechargeable battery that provides users with up to 10 hours of continuous use before it needs to be recharged, according to Boost. No other hardware is needed to use the device, which only connects and operates using 4G LTE networks. It is not backward-compatible with non-LTE networks or slower 3G and 2G networks. Video streaming using the device is provided at 3G speeds.
The Fuse features a 1.77-inch LCD display so users can track data usage, network connectivity and battery life. It also includes built-in security features, such as password protection and device blocking capabilities, to protect a user’s data and privacy. It also allows users to create Guest WiFi capabilities for an outside user while maintaining a secure connection.
Boost Mobile is a no-contract mobile carrier division of Sprint.
In June, Boost launched two new smartphone models for customers, the LG Tribute 2 smartphone, which retails for $99.99, and the LG Volt 2, which sells for $149.99, according to an earlier eWEEK story. The LG Tribute 2 has a 4.5-inch In-Plane Switching (IPS) display, a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and a 5MP rear camera, while the LG Volt 2 has a 5-inch HD IPS display, a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and an 8MP rear camera.
In May, Boost unveiled the $199 stylus-equipped LG G Stylo smartphone, which includes a large 5.7-inch HD IPS touch-screen display that’s covered with super-strong Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a 1.2GHz quad-core processor and a removable 3,000mAh battery that provides up to 24 hours of talk time. Also included is an 8-megapixel rear camera with laser auto-focus, a 5-megapixel front camera that has special features to enhance selfies and a Knock Code feature that lets users set up a personalized knock sequence to easily wake and unlock their phones. The Stylo runs on Android 5.0.