boost network change

Boost’s new plan includes a full year of service for $100

A basic talk and text plan with 1gb of data per month.

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Now that Boost Mobile will be on the AT&T network, after its owner Dish signed with AT&T back in July 2021 , the MVNO is changing things up with its service plans. Today, Boost is announcing the first of many so-called “Carrier Crusher” plans it will be rolling out this holiday season.

If you’re paying for your unlimited cellular service plan but have been living on a Wi-Fi connection since 2020, Boost Mobile is offering an interesting proposition for new and existing customers. You can get 12 months of unlimited talk and text, plus 1GB of 4G or 5G data per month, for just $100 for the year (plus tax) from Boost. This works out to $8.33 per month (again plus tax), considerably less than even the lowest cost prepaid plans. Both current and new customers who have an active Boost phone, and can commit to using Boost for a year, will be eligible for these new plans.

• Once you reach your data cap, your speed will be throttled, but you can always buy more Data Packs in the amount you need. They can be added to your plan on a as-needed basis (you have 30 days to use it up), or automatically added to your plan every month until you cancel: $5 for 1GB
• $10 for 2GB
• $15 for 5GB
• $30 for 10GB

Alternatively, if 1GB of data is not enough, and you don’t want to bother paying per gigabyte of data, then a $240 per year plan ($20 per month plus tax) with unlimited talk and text and 15GB of data per month, is also available. This way, you won’t have to worry about getting throttled anytime you watch a few 4K movie trailers by accident.

For those who prefer to pay for your cellular service each month rather than make one lump sum payment once a year, Boost Mobile is introducing two additional new plans:

• $25 per month with unlimited talk and text, with 5GB of high-speed data per month
• $15 per month with unlimited talk and text, with 2GB of high-speed data per month

With the ongoing pandemic and many of us still working from home, you might be using more Wi-Fi than cellular data these days. If you’re within Boost Mobile and AT&T’s coverage area and not currently tied to a plan, you might want to look at pre-paid services that might better suit your current mobile needs.

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Improve Your Wi-Fi Speed in 10 Simple Steps

Learn how to improve your Wi-Fi speeds now.

Wi-Fi is a finicky thing. Sometimes, it feels faster than a Lamborghini. Sometimes, it moves slower than snails. It’s never constant and just gets worse the more you move away from the source. But Wi-Fi shouldn’t make you toss every device out the window because the connections are frustratingly, painfully bad. Here are ten simple steps to help eliminate those Wi-Fi blues.

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Jump to: Top Wi-Fi fixes | Know your internet speed | How to improve your Wi-Fi speed | FAQ

• Top Wi-Fi fixes
• Know your internet speed

How to improve your Wi-Fi speed

Our top 10 wi-fi fixes, first, know your internet speed.

You should always know your internet plan’s advertised speed before you troubleshoot connections. Simply log in to your account using you’re provider’s mobile app or web interface to get the number in megabits per second (Mbps).

Next, use our speed test and compare the number against your plan’s listed speed. As you work through the fixes, run the test again to compare the results as you go—that way, you know if it’s helping.

Keep in mind fiber, cable, and DSL providers guarantee speeds only over a wired connection. It’s normal to get a speed test result that’s lower or higher than your advertised maximum speed. However, if you’re getting speeds far below what you expect, it’s time to troubleshoot.

Download speed 000 Mbps

Upload speed 000 Mbps

Latency (ping) 00 ms

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Solution #1—Turn things off and on again

If you’re experiencing slow Wi-Fi, the first rule of thumb is to restart your modem and router (or mesh system) or your gateway.

Restart: Modem or gateway | Router or mesh system | Wireless devices

Restart the modem or gateway

Your modem or gateway is the translator and bridge between your home network and your provider’s network. If the connection between them is acting up, a power cycle can clear any possible errors and bring your connection back up to speed.

To power cycle your modem or gateway, do the following:

Step 1: Unplug the power connector from the wall outlet.

Step 2: Wait 30 seconds.

Step 3: Plug the power connector back into the wall outlet.

If you rebooted a gateway, skip ahead to the section about restarting your device’s Wi-Fi .

Restart your router or mesh system

Repeat the process if you have a standalone router or mesh system. Like with the modem or gateway, a power cycle clears your router’s memory and gives it a fresh start on tasks that were bogging it down before.

Restart your device’s Wi-Fi

This may be overkill if you’re experiencing slow Wi-Fi across all your wireless devices, as your problem isn’t related to just one device. However, if only one phone, tablet, laptop, or some other wireless device still experiences slowdowns, do the following:

Step 1: Go into the settings and switch off Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Switch Wi-Fi back on and reconnect.

If this still doesn’t work, try these options:

• Power cycle the device (switch it off and on, not reboot)
• Forget the Wi-Fi connection and reconnect
• Update drivers or firmware
• Factory reset the device

We recommend rebooting your equipment regularly—at least once every few months. Some modern routers and gateways even allow you to schedule reboots when everyone is offline, like during bedtime hours.

But keep in mind that rebooting leaves you without internet for a few minutes, so plan to restart your equipment when no one needs internet. Check out our guide on how and when to reboot your router.

Solution #2—Update firmware

Firmware is your router’s operating system. Like Windows and macOS and Android, it’s never perfect “as is” out of the box. Developers continuously optimize the code for improved performance, fill in security gaps, and stamp out any problematic bugs that can wreak havoc on your home network.

That said, routers are nothing more than small computers dedicated to routing your home network traffic to and from the modem or ONT, so you want to keep the firmware up to date. Many newer routers and all mesh systems have automatic firmware updates enabled by default.

However, for better peace of mind, you can use the mobile app or web interface to check the firmware version to ensure you’re up to date. You can also verify that firmware updates are enabled (and toggle them on if not).

Keep in mind that, like with any other operating system, updates can sometimes lead to more woes, which is why some routers don’t enable automatic updates by default (or have the feature at all). Problematic firmware updates are rare but still a possibility.

Solution #3—Switch Wi-Fi bands

Every router and mesh system we’ve tested has at least two radios: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Some have a third radio accessing the higher 5 GHz band channels or the new 6 GHz spectrum. A fourth radio may also access the 6 GHz band.

Here’s a brief summary of what to expect from each:

You’ll read that 2.4 GHz has the longest range and penetrates objects better than the other two, and that’s true. But it’s also the slowest of the three due to its limitations, so you may see 250Mbps at 120 feet using the 5 GHz band but absolutely nothing using the 2.4 GHz band.

Most routers and mesh systems now use what’s called band steering by default, which crams all your connections into one Wi-Fi name. If you’re experiencing slow speeds, chances are your router or mesh system chose the 2.4 GHz as your best connection. To get around this, you can log in to your router or mesh system to disable band steering and create a name for each connection. However, nearly every mesh system we’ve tested doesn’t allow this.

If you’re experiencing slow speeds and you can manually switch bands, try the 6 GHz one first. It’s a whole new Wi-Fi frontier, so the chances of you experiencing slow speeds due to interference from other networks are slim at best.

If you don’t have a 6 GHz connection, switching to the 5 GHz band may help, but it’s now just as crowded as the 2.4 GHz one, so it’s a gamble at this point. Plus, radar uses many channels on this band, making your options for “clear skies” even more limited. This issue is why we say use the 6 GHz connection first if it’s available to you.

Here’s a list of applications to give you an idea of which band works best:

Solution #4—Change Wi-Fi channels

Honestly, this is old-school thinking dating back to when 2.4 GHz was our primary connection, and 5 GHz was a new thing. It worked back in the day because we were all still hogging the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Now, not so much.

Why? Let’s use the 5 GHz band as an example. Routers list single channels, which are 20 MHz wide. You get some speed out of one, but you get even more when routers bond multiple channels into one. So, when you pick channel 36, but the channel width is set to 80 MHz, the router is bonding together four channels .

Do you see where we’re going here? Changing the channel from 36 to 40 while your neighbor sits on 44 (and also uses an 80 MHz width) won’t fix your problem. You’re both still hogging channels 36–48. If you want to stick with an 80 MHz bonded channel, you need to select something in the 149–161 range to avoid colliding with your neighbor’s network.

What’s funny is that we normally say to stick with channels 1, 6, or 11 when using the 2.4 GHz band, but routers ignore this rule. They select what’s best, even if it’s a channel that overlaps others. Besides, the band is so crowded now you’ll be lucky if a router uses a 40 MHz bonded channel. Manually selecting a channel is probably not worth the effort (but we could be wrong).

Okay, with all that said, how do you find the best channel group? Here are a few examples:

Apple macOS

Step 1: Connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Hold down the Option key .

Step 3: Click the Wi-Fi status icon on the menu bar in the top right corner of your screen.

Step 4: Select Open Wireless Diagnostics .

Step 5: Ignore the prompts and select Window on the toolbar.

Step 6: Select Scan and then Scan Now .

When the scan is complete, you can see the recommended channels in the Summary window.

Microsoft Windows

The best way to scan Wi-Fi channel use is to install a free app like WiFi Analyzer or NetSpot . These methods don’t summarize the best channels for you but instead require you to determine the best channels by examining the scan’s results.

Okay, so how do you change channels?

If you want to try changing the channel to see if your speed improves, log in to your router’s web interface using the provided custom URL or IP address—web apps generally don’t allow you to change the channel. Once logged in, go into Wi-Fi Settings (or something similar) and select the primary channel and width you want to use.

Most mesh systems do not allow you to change the Wi-Fi channel.

Solution #5—Adjust antennas

Antenna adjustment is another old-school suggestion that may or may not work, but it’s worth a shot.

Routers with external antennas positioned vertically broadcast outwards in an elongated donut shape. In other words, they have a long range horizontally. We almost always test routers with upright antennas to see how much speed we can get at the longest range possible.

When you reposition some antennas horizontally, you change the shape of the router’s broadcast. Rooms that once received a strong Wi-Fi signal may have trouble accessing the internet, but you have a stronger signal upstairs or down in the basement.

That all said, you’ll have to experiment with the antennas to get a happy medium between what you want to gain and what you don’t want to lose.

Solution #6—Prune connections

Routers, gateways, and mesh systems can support a long roster of devices, depending on the model. But they can’t handle all the wireless ones simultaneously —maybe up to 12 if you’re lucky. We always stress stream count because it defines how many devices a router can transmit to in any given second.

What you don’t want is unused devices gulping down the bandwidth you need. Everything connected to your network (wired or wireless) should be essential, so disconnect that spare Android phone dinging in the background with each email received or the game console you rarely play.

To shed the pesky leeches, do the following in the router’s mobile app or web interface:

• Block devices from joining Wi-Fi
• Forget the Wi-Fi network on the device
• Toggle off Wi-Fi on the device

Of course, you can always change the Wi-Fi password and reboot the router, gateway, or mesh system, but it’s a hassle to reconnect all the devices you use rather than block the ones you don’t.

Solution #7—Relocate your router

Relocating your router is another old-school suggestion that may or may not work for you.

When you look at an internet connection, the line coming into your home ends at a modem, fiber ONT, or gateway. You generally can’t move these devices from their current location without involving a technician and some rewiring.

Routers sit near these devices and connect to them using an Ethernet cable. For this reason, the suggestion to relocate your router is at the bottom of our list. It’s possible, sure, but you either need a really long Ethernet cable to place the router in a more ideal spot or have an Ethernet-ready home.

Keep in mind that routers work best in an open area. The 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands offer the most speed, so you don’t want the signals absorbed by walls, furniture, appliances, and other objects that reduce your speeds or block your connections altogether. Radio waves from other devices, including cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, and Bluetooth speakers, can also interrupt these signals.

If relocation is an issue, you may want to consider Wi-Fi extenders or upgrading to a mesh system . We talk about using extenders in the next step.

Solution #8—Extend your Wi-Fi reach

If your router or gateway is in the best location, but you’re still having speed or connectivity issues in certain areas of your home, you may need to extend your network’s range .

There are a few different devices you can use to increase the reach of your network.

Wi-Fi extenders

Wi-Fi extenders connect to your router in Repeater or Access Point mode. With Repeater mode, the device uses Wi-Fi to connect to your router and rebroadcast the Wi-Fi network. In Access Point mode, the device connects to the router using Ethernet and creates a secondary Wi-Fi network. Some Wi-Fi extenders support EasyMesh or proprietary mesh technology (ASUS and TP-Link come to mind) for improved device roaming.

Access points

You can purchase a second router and set it to Access Point mode, just like an extender. However, it has a far better range than the plug-in and desktop Wi-Fi extenders sold for less. Some manufacturers, like Cisco and Zyxel , sell routers designed to be used specifically as access points.

Wi-Fi boosters

These devices only work on routers with removable antennas. They plug directly into the router’s empty antenna port and broadcast a stronger signal than the router’s original antenna. The term “booster” is also associated with Wi-Fi extenders.

Powerline adapters

Powerline adapters plug into wall outlets and send network signals across your existing power lines instead of over the air. The first adapter must be plugged into the router, gateway, or mesh system using an Ethernet cable. The second unit normally pairs with the first one automatically.

Mesh systems

You can add a mesh system to your network, but we suggest setting your router or gateway into bridge mode (aka wired-only mode) or getting rid of your router altogether. Mesh kits are better with two or more units that are placed in line of sight with each other to beam Wi-Fi around objects and corners.

Solution #9—Replace your equipment

Your router and modem process all your internet data—if either one isn’t up to that task, it can slow down your whole network. So, if you’re dealing with older, out-of-date equipment, it’s time to get a replacement.

If you believe the equipment you rent from your provider is out of date, you can request new units—especially if you feel they’re causing poor network performance. Internet providers supply either a single wireless gateway or pair a standalone modem with a router.

Buying your own modem and router could save you money over time, especially if you’re renting both. A store-bought router, for instance, usually gives you more control over the features, speeds, and security of your home network.

If you’re in the market to purchase a new modem or router, we have a few recommendations:

• Best Wi-Fi Routers
• Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers
• Best Modem/Router combos
• Best Modems for Gigabit Internet

Also, keep in mind that your devices are just as important as your modem and router. You can’t expect blazing-fast speeds on a device that only supports a single 2.4 GHz connection. In other words, if you just upgraded to a Wi-Fi 7 router but you’re still rocking the original iPhone, the phone is your bottleneck, not your new “faulty” router.

Solution #10—Upgrade to faster internet

While we hope our previous tips did the trick, slow Wi-Fi may be the result of a slow internet plan. As we always say, the fastest modem, gateway, or router won’t magically increase your speed if you have more people in the home than your 200Mbps internet plan can handle.

A good way to determine what you need is to reserve 100Mbps per person. Some of that bandwidth is a buffer, so each person has more than what they need. If you have five internet users in the home, a 500Mbps plan should be plenty (and my home is a good example -KP).

If you’re still unsure what internet speeds you need to support your online habits, then check out our guides to internet speed for gaming and video streaming requirements .

Ready for an internet upgrade? Let's Go!

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More internet speed resources

• Why Is My Internet So Slow? Your Ultimate Guide to Speeding Up
• Internet Troubleshooting Guide
• What Is a Good Upload and Download Speed?
• Will Paying for Faster Internet Improve My Wi-Fi Speed?
• The Consumers Guide to Internet Speed

FAQ about improving your Wi-Fi speed

How can i make my wi-fi faster.

Like your internet connection, your Wi-Fi can only go so fast. However, signal strength, interference, frequency band, and distance can reduce your speed to a crawl. The best way to speed up the connection between the router and your device is to move closer and select the best frequency band (if possible) for the application you’re using. Also, make sure nothing is blocking the signal.

Read our guide on how to extend your Wi-Fi range for more tips.

How do I know if I need a new router?

An easy way to find out if your router is causing your Wi-Fi slowdown is to run a speed test using a wired computer from the modem or ONT. Record the results and run the wired speed test again from the router. If the second test is significantly slower than the first, your router is probably causing slow speeds.

How do I know if I need a faster internet plan?

A surefire way to tell if your internet plan is enough for your needs is to allocate 100Mbps per person. This number incorporates a “buffer” to make sure each person has more than what they need. Remember, your plan dictates how much bandwidth you can use, not the router, so if you have seven people using a 200Mbps plan, you’re in dire need of an upgrade.

Where should I put my Wi-Fi router?

The standard procedure is to tell you to place the router in a central, elevated location in your home, but the suggestion ignores the fact that your router is tethered to the modem or ONT. To relocate it, you may need a long Ethernet cable or a home pre-wired for Ethernet. Learn more with our guide on choosing the best spot for your router .

How can I increase my Wi-Fi speeds on computer?

Computers have Wi-Fi radios locked to a specific speed. For example, Intel’s AX201 chip supports a 2,400Mbps maximum speed, but you’ll never see that ceiling speed due to what’s called overhead. To get around this limit, you must install a faster Wi-Fi radio (PCIe or M.2 card) or connect a USB adapter with a better radio if you can’t install one.

If your computer has the best Wi-Fi radio but the speeds aren’t great, make sure you’re using a router with the same Wi-Fi standard and have it set to a channel that doesn’t interfere with other networks. Avoid using any DFS channels if you live near an airport or anywhere else that uses radar.

Author - Kevin Parrish

Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.

Related Posts

How to boost your internet speed at home in 8 ways, and make sure you're not being overcharged for low speeds

• To boost your internet speed, you can try repositioning your router, or even buy a new one.
• If you're willing to try a more technical solution, you can change your Wi-Fi network's signal channel.
• You should also check that you aren't being cheated out of internet speed by your internet service provider.
• Make sure that you're using a strong Wi-Fi password , so strangers can't steal your bandwidth.
• Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories .

From YouTube videos and music to online gaming, it seems like everything we do happens online these days. 

As such, if your internet connection seems sluggish, it can bring your whole life to a halt. 

How to boost your internet speed

If you find your internet too slow to bear, there's a variety of steps you can take to speed it up.

Make sure you're getting the speeds you pay for

Use a website like Speedtest.net , or Google's internet speed test , to see if you're getting more or less the same speed your internet service provider promises in your service plan. 

If you're not, contact your ISP and see if there's a problem at their end. If there isn't a problem with them, they might be cheating you out of money for a subpar plan. Consider switching.

Upgrade your router

Let's start here — if your router is more than five years old, replacing it with a new model can make a huge difference. 

Be sure to get at least a dual-band router, or preferably a triple-band model, and use the 5GHz bands (as we'll explain in a bit).

Position the router centrally

If at all possible, put the router in the middle of your home, equidistant from every corner you need Internet access. 

Alternately, invest in a mesh network router , which uses multiple nodes you can position around the house rather than relying on a single router in the middle. 

Change to a less crowded channel

Your router can transmit on a variety of different channels, each of which has its own bandwidth space. 

If you're having connectivity issues, open the router's settings (usually through a mobile app or by typing your IP address into a web browser) and change the channel from "Auto" to one of the other channel options. 

You might need to experiment to find a channel that's not already crowded. Typically, channels 1, 6, or 11 will be your best choices in the 2.4 GHz band, and any of the 23 channels in the 5 GHz band should work. 

Make sure your router's antennas are angled properly

If your router has antennas you can twist or turn, angle them for the best transmission through your walls and floors. 

If your home is a single level, point all the antennas straight up and down. If you live in a multi-floor home, angle one antenna vertically but arrange at least one horizontally.

Make sure no one is stealing your bandwidth

Your speed might be sluggish because others are using your Wi-Fi signal, leaving less for you. 

Ensure your router is using WPA2 security with a strong password (you can check this in the router's settings page in a web browser). 

You can also use your router's settings page or mobile app to see what "client devices" are connected to your network. If you don't recognize some, you can kick them off the network – and then change your Wi-Fi password. 

Upgrade your broadband internet package

Many internet service providers include more bandwidth than you generally need — if you're getting 20Mbps or more, upgrading won't help a lot unless you have genuinely large data needs. 

But if your internet plan is modest, such as 5Mbps, consider upgrading — tweaking your router is unlikely to give you much better speed with a package that slow.

Check your family's internet usage

Sometimes your internet is slow because your bandwidth is being consumed by other users in your house. If you have trouble streaming video, for example, make sure three other people aren't streaming different movies at the same time. 

You might want to use the parental controls feature (usually found in the mobile app for your router, or the settings page) to put limits on when your kids can use their devices, and what they can do with it.

Related coverage from  Tech Reference :

'what is my ip': here's what an ip address does, and how to find yours, 'what is a good internet speed': the internet speeds you should aim for, based on how you use the internet, 'what is wi-fi calling': how to make calls from your smartphone even if you don't have a cell signal, 'what is a wpa2 password': a guide to wpa2, the safest type of wi-fi password you can have, what you can do with an ip address, and how to protect yours from hackers.

• Main content

How-To Geek

How to speed up your internet connection.

Tired of waiting for web pages to load? Here's what you can do to improve your internet speed

Quick Links

Optimize your wi-fi and local network, test your speed, limit how much bandwidth you're using, change your dns servers, be mindful of software, isp throttling you use a vpn, when is it time to call your service provider.

Internet connections could always be faster. Whether your downloads are crawling, streaming feels like a slideshow, or you just want to maximize your speeds, here's how you can accelerate that connection.

Depending on your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you can often get faster speeds by calling them (or visiting their website) and upgrading to a more expensive plan. Your monthly bill will go up, but so will your speed. Before you do that, however, here are some tips that can speed up your connection for free.

Many issues with local networks, particularly those using Wi-Fi, are to blame for poor Internet speeds. Before looking at your Internet connection, it's worth making sure your local network is up to par.

The most basic fix for poor network performance is to turn off your router (and modem, if it's separate), count to ten, and then turn it back on again. This is called "power-cycling" your router , and it can often speed things up.

If you use Wi-Fi instead of wired Ethernet, it's a good idea to minimize interference from nearby networks , as these can cause speed dips and network drop-outs. If you see a lot of other networks on your devices when connecting to your home Wi-Fi, you'll likely benefit from picking a Wi-Fi channel that offers the least interference .

If you have a modern router that supports the 5 GHz band, you should use it wherever possible. Using the 5 GHz band results in faster speeds and less interference. If you have an 802.11ac compatible, dual-band router, you will see two networks appear when connecting. You can name them accordingly under your router setup. Most routers have instructions for accessing this interface printed on the side of the device.

While you're logged in, it's worth downloading and installing any new firmware that's available for your router. Where to find this differs based on the manufacturer and model you're using, so look for "Software Update" or something similar.

You should not be using an unsecured wireless network. If your network is open, anyone can hop on it and sap your bandwidth. Make sure your network is secured with WPA2 (AES) whenever possible. With this enabled, all devices require a password to connect.

Bypassing wireless entirely and using a wired Ethernet connection  offers the best local network performance. You can also try moving your router to a better location, closer to the area where you use your wireless devices most often.

Finally, if your router is old (anywhere from two to five years), consider purchasing a new wireless router . Network equipment rarely gets a break, and problems can arise depending on how hard you use it. Newer routers support faster Wi-Fi standards, like 802.11ac . For the best coverage, you might want to consider a mesh Wi-Fi system .

An old modem can be your speed problem, too. If you're not getting the speeds you're paying for, and you purchased your modem outright a long time ago, it might be time to upgrade.

With your local network running optimally, it's time to test your Internet speed. You can do this using a service like Speedtest.net , Fast.com , or even Google . If possible, run the test from a laptop using a wired Ethernet connection or move the device you're testing as close to the router as possible.

Be sure to run the speed test while you're not actively using your connection. If you're streaming or downloading at the same time, you'll likely get a lower result.

You can run the test a few times to get the most reliable set of results. Now, compare the speed you're getting with the speed you should be getting. It's uncommon for real-world Internet speeds to match those advertised by your service provider , but you should get somewhere close during off-peak hours.

Sometimes, poor speeds can indicate a problem that can only be fixed by your service provider. This might involve replacing cables or installing new access points. Before you pick up the phone, though, it's best to try the processes listed below. This way, you can tell your service provider you've tried everything on your end to fix the problem.

Your Internet connection provides you with a limited amount of bandwidth, which must be shared between all devices on your network. The more devices using the Internet at once, the less bandwidth there is to go around. Limiting how much you do at once can vastly improve your Internet speed.

Certain activities consume a lot of bandwidth, for example:

• Large downloads
• Streaming content, particularly 4K or 1080p video
• Wi-Fi cameras and doorbells
• BitTorrent transfers, including upstream traffic on some connections (ADSL, for example)

Try to isolate any device that might be using more than its fair share of bandwidth. Ask other family members or housemates whether they stream a lot of video or download files over BitTorrent. It could be that you're getting the Internet speed you're paying for, but you're trying to do too much at once on your current plan.

If you suspect this is the case, you can change a few behaviors to try and help. Leave large downloads until late at night when nobody's awake (you can schedule most BitTorrent clients). Set your smartphones and tablets to update automatically, so they download the files they need at night while charging.

If your router supports it, enable Quality of Service (QoS) on its control panel . This feature shares bandwidth more efficiently and prevents certain activities (like torrent downloads) from bringing everything to a grinding halt.

The domain name system (DNS), is like the Internet's address book. DNS resolves domain names (like howtogeek.com) into the server IP addresses on which data is stored. The speed at which DNS servers operate differs significantly. A slow DNS server means longer delays (more latency) when accessing websites.

Sometimes, your choice of DNS server affects which IP addresses you're served---particularly when websites spread the load of their traffic using content delivery networks (CDNs).

By default, you use your service provider's assigned DNS servers. These are unlikely to be the fastest available to you. A better choice is to use DNS servers provided by Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or CloudFlare (1.1.1.1). For best results, run a simple test to find the best DNS servers based on your geographical location .

The best way to implement DNS changes is on your router. By changing the DNS server on your network hardware, you'll see the improvement on every device that connects to it. The alternative is to change your DNS servers on every device you use .

Software can also cause issues with Internet speed. Something might be heavily using your connection while running in the background.  Windows users can launch Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) to view a list of running processes. Sort by the "Network" column to see which processes are using your network connection. Kill anything you don't need.

On a Mac you can do the same by launching Activity Monitor, navigating to the "Network" tab, and then sorting by "Sent Bytes" for upstream or "Rcvd Bytes" for downstream. For both Windows and Mac systems, it's important to identify the processes so you can understand why the software is using your connection. Search the Internet for any process names that aren't immediately obvious and decide whether you need that app or not.

Malware and viruses can also be the source of unwanted network activity, particularly on Windows machines. Run a virus scan on Windows regularly to protect yourself. Mac users can check out the anti-malware tools designed for Mac . Linux users generally don't have to worry about malware.

If your computer is slow in general, browsing is likely to be sluggish, too. Limiting the number of tabs you have open simultaneously helps with this. You should also maintain a 10-20 GB buffer of free space on your hard drive at all times. Learn how to create free space on Windows or how to keep your Mac trim .

On mobile devices, Opera Mini  delivers a faster browsing experience, especially on older devices.

"Throttling" is when your ISP limits certain types of traffic. For example, it might try to limit data-intensive activities, like file sharing and video streaming. It can also restrict certain types of traffic (like BitTorrent transfers) or whole domains (like youtube.com).

If performance is especially bad when you do some things online but not others, your ISP might be throttling your connection. For example, you might experience slow streaming when you try to watch videos, but web searches load in a flash. You can easily test whether you're being throttled by using a virtual private network (VPN) to obscure your online activity.

Connecting to a VPN will cause your Internet speed to slow somewhat. How much depends on how far you are from the server. You can rectify this by choosing a VPN provider with servers nearest your geographical location.

Try to isolate which activities are causing the slowdown. Connect to your VPN, and then try those activities again. If there isn't a discernible difference, you're likely not being throttled. However, if you notice things are running a lot smoother behind a VPN, you might want to have a stern word with your ISP.

If you're satisfied that slow Internet speeds aren't your fault, and the speed you're getting is considerably lower than what you're paying for, it's time to speak to your ISP. Similarly, if you suspect you're being throttled, you should also raise the issue with them.

Let your ISP know you're unhappy with the level of service you're receiving. If they aren't receptive, threatening to leave might persuade them to fix the issue. However, if you don't get anywhere and have the option of choosing another provider, consider making the switch.

Home » Mobile

Boost Mobile Review

Boost is blowing away the competition with its super cheap unlimited data plan, just don’t expect a bunch of perks

Boost Mobile has been in the game longer than most prepaid carriers. It has managed to stay hip by offering plans with tons of data and cool perks, like free hotspot data and music streaming. But recently it has upped its game even more. 

To compete with other discount carriers, like Visible and Mint, Boost has come out with a ridiculously low-priced unlimited data plan. New customers can get unlimited talk, text, and 4G/5G data for just $25 a month (and that price is locked in “forever”). 

Scroll down, dear readers, to learn more about this super cheap unlimited data plan and other details about Boost’s coverage and perks. 

• Unlimited plans and pricing
• Data, plans, and pricing
• Boost Infinite

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan and pricing

What we like.

Boost has gotten a lot of things right with its current line up of unlimited data plans. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details of what we love.

Super low price for unlimited data

As many consumers have been tightening their budgets, discount phone carriers have been racing to lower prices. But Boost takes the gold.

At $25, Boost’s unlimited data plan is the cheapest around, period. While Mint Mobile and some other carriers do offer promotional prices that get their unlimited data plans down below $20 a month, those prices always go up after a few months.

Boost has come out and said that they will keep the same $25 price for customers “forever,” as long as they stay enrolled in autopay. That’s quite a promise.

Decent amount of unthrottled data

The biggest drawback to most discount unlimited plans is the low data cap. Boost’s $25 unlimited data plan gives you a full 30 GB of unthrottled data before you start seeing reduced data speeds. That’s more than many other carriers, like Twigby .

Nice add-ons for hotspot users, international travelers, and streamers

Boost Mobile can’t compete with major providers like Verizon Wireless when it comes to perks. But it does offer a few add-ons that could benefit certain users.

First of all, you can use your high-speed data allotment with Boost as hotspot data. That means you can tether your computer or other device to your phone when you’re stuck at the Greyhound station or highway rest stop and still have a decent internet connection.

If you’re stoked to watch the next season of House of the Dragon or The Witcher on your phone, you can add HD video streaming quality to your plan for $10 a month.

For those who spend a lot of time north or south of the US border, you can add Todo Mexico PLUS for $5 a month. It gets you unlimited calls to and from Mexico and Canada, plus unlimited worldwide text messaging.

What we don’t like

The biggest feature that separates Boost Mobile’s unlimited data plans from higher end (and more expensive) plans is the data cap. Here’s what you need to know.

Data caps and deprioritization

Since Boost Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), it doesn’t actually operate its own cell phone towers. Instead, it leases bandwidth from T-Mobile (and in select areas, AT&T). That’s part of why it can offer such cheap plans.

The downside to this arrangement is that T-Mobile can “ deprioritize ” the data of customers who are using MVNOs or customers who use too much data.

So, even when you buy an “unlimited data” plan from Boost, you’re actually only going to get a certain amount of full-speed data. With the carrier’s $25 unlimited plan, that’s 30 GB. After you use that amount you’ll see your speeds plummet. Even before you hit that cap you might notice speeds that are slightly slower than T-Mobile customers.

How do Boost Mobile’s unlimited plans compare?

The best way to find out which mobile plan is best for you is with a side-by-side comparison, which we happen to have right here! You can see how Boost Mobile’s unlimited data plan compares to other popular discount carriers’ offerings.

When it comes to price, Boost is definitely at the lower end of the spectrum—it's the third cheapest.

Unlimited plans comparison by PRICE

But when it comes to popularity, Boost is also pretty competitive, with only Visible and Mint outranking them.

Unlimited plans comparison by POPULARITY

Boost mobile data plans and pricing.

Not everyone needs an unlimited data plan. Whether it’s for your kids (who shouldn’t be scrolling through Tik Tok all day), your parents (who use their smartphones like glorified landlines), or yourself, Boost Mobile has tons of low-data plans to choose from. Here’s what we like about these plans.

Tons of affordable options

All of Boost’s plans come with unlimited talk and text. Then you can get anywhere from one to 15 GB of high-speed 4G/5G mobile data on top of that. Those lower data plans are great for those who just need to use a few apps, like Google Maps and WhatsApp, while the higher data plans offer enough for those who want to scroll through Instagram and do a little online gaming.

Boost’s data plans range in price from just $5 a month up to $35 a month. At these low prices, Boost’s offerings easily rank among the best cheap plans on the market .

No contracts

Boost doesn’t require you to sign a contract when you sign up for a plan. This is great for those who want to try out a lower-data plan. You can always upgrade to (or downgrade) on a month to month basis if you find that you need more. 

However, it is worth noting that you’ll get the best prices when you prepay for a year of service all at once.

It would be unfair to expect a bunch of fancy features or perks on plans that cost about as much as a burger and fries at the drive-through. So we won’t spend a lot of time nitpicking about what Boost Mobile’s low-cost plans don’t offer.

It basically just comes down to this: if you’re a social media influencer or gamer or serious streamer, you’ll want to find another carrier that offers more full-speed data.

How do Boost Mobile’s data plans compare?

If you’re still skeptical about how good Boost’s prices are, just take a look at this side-by-side comparison. We’ve included Boost’s 5 GB plan and similar plans from other top carriers. There’s a clear winner …

Boost Mobile data plans comparison

Boost mobile vs. boost infinite.

Boost recently launched a separate phone service called Boost Infinite, that's basically the opposite of Boost Mobile. Instead of offering a variety of prepaid plans, Boost Infinite offers three postpaid plans.

Another main difference between Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile's unlimited plan basically boils down to how you pay your bill. Boost Infinite customers will pay for service at the end of the month (postpaid), and Boost Mobile customers pay at the beginning of the month (prepaid). And rather than offering many limited-data plans like Tello or other MVNO services, Boost Infinite only offers unlimited data.

Here's a quick rundown of three different plans from Boost Infinite.

Boost Infinite Unlimited : This plan gives you unlimited talk, text, and data with 5G coverage available on either AT&T or T-Mobile’s networks, depending on your location. You'll have a 30 GB high-speed data limit, and once you pass that threshold, your wireless speeds will significantly decrease until the start of the next billing cycle.

Boost Infinite Unlimited+ : This plan provides the same core services as the base plan, with the added benefit of access to Boost Wireless' exclusive 5G network (in addition to AT&T and T-Mobile's networks). Users can expect faster speeds when connected to Boost's network, but as always, your experience depends on your location .

Both plans allow you to use your unlimited service in Canada and Mexico, and you can also make calls and send texts to over 200 other countries . You can also trade in your old phone and get a free iPhone 15 from Boost.

Infinite Access for iPhone : This package bundles together all the features of the first two plans,  plus  it allows you to upgrade to the latest iPhone model every year. You don't even need to trade in your current phone to get started; Boost will just give you a new iPhone 15 if you sign up for this plan. As long as you keep your existing Boost Infinite plan active and make your payments, you can trade in your "older" phone for the newest iPhone model each year. This is a pretty unique benefit from Boost Infinite, as most other cell phone carriers typically require you to keep a device for at least two years before being eligible for an upgrade.

Boost Mobile family plans

We’re big fans of family plans. Bundling up with your spouse, kids, aunts, uncles, second cousins, and anyone else you can find will really pay off when you get your monthly bill. The best family plans out there can save you hundreds every year.

Boost Mobile’s family plans are … not great. We’ll talk more about what we don’t like below, but first here are the deets on what Boost does right.

Add up to four lines on a single account

Managing bills for your family can be a hassle, especially when everyone has separate devices and accounts. If you go with Boost you can simplify your phone bill by adding up to four lines to a single account. That way you can manage your lines and make payments for everyone in your family.

What we don't like

Now let’s talk about the significant problems that Boost Mobile’s family plans have.

Multi-line accounts only available for in-store purchase

One annoying thing about Boost’s family plans is that you can’t sign up online. You can easily sign up for a super discounted unlimited data plan on the company’s website. But if you want to add additional lines you have to do it at a brick and mortar store.

No family plan discounts

The biggest drawback to Boost’s family plans is that they don’t actually offer any discounts. While other companies, like Verizon , will give you significantly cheaper rates when you add second, third, and fourth lines to your account, Boost just keeps the price the same for each line.

Boost Mobile coverage

Boost Mobile is an MVNO, which means that it doesn’t run its own cellular network. Instead, it uses T-Mobile ’s, which is good news for potential customers. T-Mobile’s nationwide coverage is really strong. You can see how it looks in your area with this interactive map.

Boost’s network offers great speed and 5G coverage

Boost Mobile’s coverage isn’t quite as good as Verizon (and Verizon-backed MVNOs) in rural areas. But it does use the biggest 5G network in the country that boasts some of the fastest data speeds around. As long as you’re using unthrottled data, Boost Mobile should work great for gaming or Facetiming with your relatives.

Boost Mobile cell phones and devices

Ready to retire that old iPhone 8 with the cracked screen? Want to upgrade to the latest Galaxy model? Boost Mobile has you covered. You can pick up a new phone, often at a steep discount, when you sign up for a plan.

Right now Boost has smart phone deals on the Samsung Galaxy A03s and iPhone 12 64GB.

Boost Mobile deal on the Apple iPhone 12 64GB smartphone

Of course, if you’re happy with your current device, you can always bring your old phone to Boost. You can also port over your old number to avoid all the “new phone who ‘dis” texts. 

Boost Mobile customer service

If you were to just look at the online reviews, you might get a negative picture of Boost Mobile’s customer service. There are plenty of complaints about bad service, unsolved errors, and faulty billing. But, let's be honest, that’s true for every phone company.

We’ll also note that the company’s mobile apps have 4.4/5 stars on the Google Play store and 4.7/5 stars on the Apple store, which means you shouldn’t have too many issues managing your account and bill using the app.

Recap-Is Boost Mobile any good?

Alright friends, that wraps up our glorious Boost Mobile review. Before we sign off, we’ll leave you with a short recap. Here are the most important deets about Boost.

• Unlimited plans: Boost Mobile has the cheapest unlimited data plan on the market right now. You can get unlimited talk, text, and data for $25. What else do we need to say?
• Regular data plans: If you don’t need unlimited data you can still get a deal on a regular data plan. Choose from plans with one to 15 GB of data for a reasonable monthly price.
• Coverage: Boost uses T-Mobile’s mobile network, which means good coverage, lots of 5G, and fast data speeds.

Methodology

For this Boost Mobile review we looked at a number of different sources, including customer reviews, the company’s website, third-party performance and coverage data, and our own proprietary data from over 100,000 mobile customers.

Ultimately, we evaluated Boost Mobile based on several key factors:

• Data speeds
• Perks (like hotspot allowance and HD streaming)
• Network coverage
• Customer service

Still got some burning questions about Boost? Well we got answers.

Boost Mobile uses T-Mobile ’s wireless network. That means customers will see fast data speeds, great 5G performance, and decent coverage in metropolitan and suburban areas. Sadly, there are some coverage gaps in rural states like Montana, Idaho, and New Mexico.

Boost’s T-Mobile run network normally uses GSM standards. However, some customers who joined Boost when it used Sprint’s network may still get service with CDMA phones. If you have no idea what we’re talking about, check out this piece about GSM and CDMA (but, honestly, you don’t need to know about it if you're using a smartphone made in the last five years).

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Home » MVNOS

Boost Mobile In 2024: What You Need To Know

Since 2013, I've been researching, reviewing, and writing about the wireless industry with a focus on MVNOs.

In this guide, I will explain everything you need to know about Boost Mobile before you subscribe. I'll review each of their phone plans with you, and go over any gotchas that they might have. I want you to learn the ins and outs of Boost Mobile so that you can make an informed decision on if this is the best place for you to spend your hard-earned cash.

At A Glance

Boost Mobile Customer Service & Contact Information

A summary of boost mobile phone plans, no credit check single line monthly prepaid plans.

• Unlimited Minutes
• Unlimited Texts
• Hotspot 5GB

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No credit check multi-month plans.

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Data Only Plans

• ✓ Data Only SIM, Mobile Hotspot

Boost Mobile Deals

New Boost Mobile customers can get an unlimited plan with 35GB of high-speed data for $10/month for three months.

Get 30GB of high-speed data for just $12.50 for your first month, regular price is $25/month.

Get 2GB of high-speed data every month with unlimited talk and text for just $10/month

New Boost Mobile customers get 5GB of data for just $5/month for 3 months!

Things To Know About Boost Mobile Before You Subscribe

In 2002 Boost Mobile officially launched in the USA in a partnership with Nextel Communications.  The company offered walkie talkie 2 way radio like functionality with its push to talk service over Nextel’s iDEN network .  Subscribers paid a dollar a day for for the service to get unlimited talk and text.

In 2006 Sprint purchased Nextel Communications and hence the Boost Mobile brand. Almost immediately the company began offering service on Sprint’s CDMA network in select markets, while still maintaining its push to talk service in many markets.  It wasn’t until 2013 that Sprint and Boost Mobile fully retired Boost’s iDEN network in favor of Sprint’s CDMA network.

On July 1, 2020, Boost Mobile was officially purchased by DISH . Moving forward, DISH will use the T-Mobile network to provide service to new customers.

In July of 2021, DISH announced that it signed an agreement with AT&T to allow AT&T to provide wireless service to its MVNO partners including Boost Mobile.

On November 18th, 2021, Boost Mobile formally announced its first wireless plans to take advantage of the AT&T network. The new plans have been named Carrier Crusher plans .

Boost Mobile is estimated to have 7.4m subscribers as of June 30, 2022. This number is extrapolated by comparing DISH’s 3rd quarter 2021 form 10Q quarterly report with their 2nd quarter 2022 form 10Q quarterly report . DISH no longer gives subscriber counts from each of its wireless brands, so this number had to be extrapolated from previously reported subscriber counts of its individual brands.

Supported Phones And BYOD Devices

To obtain service with Boost Mobile, potential subscribers can either purchase a new phone as Boost Mobile or bring their own.  Those that hope to bring their own phone to the network may first want to check Boost Mobile’s list of supported BYOD devices to see if its compatible.

Where To Buy Service Plans And SIM Cards

Plans and phones can be purchased online through the Boost Mobile website , through Boost Mobile retail locations and through various retailers across the country such as Walmart , Amazon , and Best Buy .

How To Port Out Of Boost Mobile

Porting out requires you to contact Boost Mobile in order to obtain your account number. A PIN number is also needed to port out. Your PIN number is the same that you use to login to your online account with.

Phone Unlock Policy

Boost Mobile will unlock your device provided that you have used it for 12 months on their network. For full details about Boost Mobile's device unlocking policy please review this post .

Boost Mobile Customer Reviews

Android Police

What is boost mobile.

Boost Mobile helps you pay for only the data services you need to connect with loved ones

Subscriptions from major mobile carriers aren't worth it on a line you hardly use. Prepaid carriers tend to be cheaper , and there's no shortage of options in the US. Still, it can be hard to make the switch to prepaid, as many budget carriers may not offer the same level of customer service that you'll find on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Boost Mobile hopes to allay some of those fears with in-store assistance, online activation, and plenty of customer service options. It uses networks from AT&T, Dish, and T-Mobile for nationwide coverage. Here's everything you need to know about the service.

Dish Wireless owns Boost Mobile. It's a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that provides affordable prepaid wireless services through Dish, AT&T, and T-Mobile. According to the telecommunications publisher Mobile World Live, Boost had 7.4 million subscribers at the end of 2023. That's about 50,000 fewer customers than the company had at the end of 2022.

As an MVNO, Boost Mobile relies on AT&T and T-Mobile for a good chunk of its infrastructure. That said, Dish is also building a massive 5G network from the ground up. At the end of 2023, Dish announced its 5G network covers over 140 million people . And while it is spending billions to build its 5G network , the company sees it as a worthwhile investment that will give it an edge over the big three carriers.

Since Dish is building an entirely new 5G network, it doesn't have to deal with legacy equipment like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Instead, it is building an Open RAN (O-RAN) 5G network , which offers Boost and its subscribers a lot of perks. Dish's infrastructure isn't tied to specific network and radio vendors. That means it can seek out competitive bids, easily mix and match components, and its technicians and engineers need minimal training when it works with equipment from different vendors.

Although Boost leases capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile to offer service, it's a turnkey solution; they're not responsible for the infrastructure. Instead it is hard at work building a next-generation network that should offer solid coverage at a very competitive price.

Complete list of AT&T MVNO carriers

Brief history of boost mobile.

Peter Adderton, launched Boost Mobile in Australia and New Zealand in 2000. Shortly after, Adderton, along with Peter Adderton, Craig Cooper, and Kirt McMaster brought Boost to the US in a joint partnership with Nextel.

Nextel got full ownership of Boost's US operations in 2003. Then Sprint Corporation acquired Nextel in 2004 , making Boost a subsidiary. During this period, the company expanded nationwide and continued using Nextel's iDEN network for its service.

In 2006, they launched a new offering, which they called Unlimited by Boost Mobile. This service ran on Sprint's Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network . It's a digital cellular technology that allows multiple users to share the same frequency channel. Each user's signal has a unique code.

Although this new plan boosted Boost Mobile's growth, the company didn't fully switch over to CDMA technology right away. In 2009, they had to adapt quickly with a new Monthly Unlimited Plan to keep up with rivals. But the customer surge strained Nextel's iDEN network, causing frustrating delays in text messages.

To address this problem, Boost announced plans for an unlimited offering using Sprint's CDMA network in 2010. Around the same time, Sprint acquired Virgin Mobile USA, and merged it with Boost. Boost then embarked on a smartphone journey and rolled out various models. They first launched the Motorola i1, and more devices up to the Samsung Galaxy Prevail and marked their entry into Sprint's 4G LTE network. After merging with T-Mobile in 2020, Sprint sold Boost to Dish Network. Dish Wireless then went into partnership with AT&T for 5G spectrum in 2021.

What to keep in mind about Boost's data plans and cancelations

Boost Mobile offers unlimited plans with 5G connectivity. However, you need a 5G device in an area with 5G coverage to access such high speeds. Otherwise, you'll get 4G LTE speeds.

Traditional capped plans give you a set amount of data that completely stops working when you max out. With Boost Mobile, you won't exceed your data limit for unlimited plans because there isn't really one. You only run out of high-speed data, which means you'll experience slower speeds. But you can still call, text, and browse.

Data packs are available when you hit those soft caps before your plan's expiration. When your plan does expire, you have 60 days to make a full payment. Otherwise, Boost Mobile will close your account, and you will lose any remaining funds and your phone number. However, you can readjust your plan before reactivation if you can no longer afford it.

Best value smartphone data plans for single lines and families in 2024

Boost mobile eligibility and availability information.

You need a phone that's compatible with Boost Mobile before you can switch to their network. Their official website provides a form that helps you check your device's status. If it isn't eligible, Boost has a large selection of flagships and budget phones with solid promotions and discounts. If you keep your account active for up to nine months, you become eligible for a phone upgrade and can trade in your old phone at nearby Boost Mobile stores.

Boost Mobile doesn't check your credit history or score to determine eligibility. It's a good thing if you have a limited or poor credit background. Plus, they provide users with broad coverage across the globe, and that's majorly thanks to its partnership with many carriers. Enter your zip code on their website to see if your region is covered.

How to contact Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile supports live chat on their website. It gives you the convenience of seeking assistance from experts without the anxiety of phone calls. But if you don't mind voice calls, you can reach them on 833-502-6678. Customer support times start and end from Monday to Friday from 4am to 8pm Pacific Time (PT).

On Saturdays and Sundays, you can reach them from 4am to 7pm PT. If you have any needs outside their operational hours, feel free to refer to their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section and mobile app. The BoostOne app helps you manage your account, make payments, access exclusive deals, and do more.

Best alternative MVNOs to Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile isn't the only affordable MVNO on the market. Here are three other substitutes to keep you connected with loved ones:

Google Fi is ideal for families, although its plans are costlier . You can add up to six members at anytime, and you have the option to bring your current personal number. When signing up, Google Fi will check if your number is eligible for transfer. If it's not, you can activate a new number. With an existing Google Voice number, you can set up call forwarding to your Fi phone number and consolidate communications.

Mint Mobile

Mint mobile runs on the T-Mobile network, and suits cost savers with its multiple months of service. You'll receive discounts if you buy them at once. The plans are available in 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month options with cheaper monthly rates than traditional month-to-month plans. You can transfer your old number or get a new line, and it supports e-SIMs . However, they don't do trade-ins, so you can't bring your old phone.

Visible only offers two plans, which you can choose to pay for monthly or yearly. Although your options are limited, the plans are unlimited. They offer 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G, and 4G LTE connectivity. You'll also experience endless talk, text, and data on the Verizon wireless network , along with spam protection, Wi-Fi calling, and voicemail services.

Visible vs. Boost Mobile: Which carrier should you pick?

Affordable carrier services keep you connected at all times.

Boost Mobile offers many advantages. With unlimited connectivity, you can browse, stream your favorite content, and connect with loved ones without worrying about data caps or overage charges. If you don't find the service favorable, there are other MVNOs that hit the mark. But you want to check that your device is not carrier locked before you switch over. Carrier-locked phones can only work on the network that they're tied to. Fortunately, there's a way to tell when your line is carrier locked and unlock it.

Boost Mobile Review: 6 Things To Know Before You Sign Up

• Cell Phones

If you’re looking for ways to save on your cell phone bill, you may be considering Boost Mobile.

In this article, I’ll take a close look at Boost Mobile’s plans and pricing, how to get started and what to expect from Boost Mobile’s service.

I tested Boost Mobile for 30 days to try out the service for myself. I’ve also compared more than 70 different available phone plans to see how Boost Mobile stacks up.

This article was updated in February 2024 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here .

What To Know Before Signing Up for Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that offers a variety of prepaid plans ranging from one month to a year. The service provider operates on DISH, T-Mobile and AT&T’s cellular networks. Which network your service will be on depends on your location, device and plan. 

Boost Mobile offers some of the cheapest plans available including an annual plan that works out to just $8.33 per month. However, these cheaper plans won’t work on every phone. And if you decide to bring your own phone, know that there is a one-time $25 activation fee that isn’t advertised online.

Before you buy a new device or order a SIM card, I recommend that you visit a Boost Mobile store first to make sure that your phone is compatible with the plan you’d like to purchase. In fact, I don’t recommend ordering a Boost SIM card online at all. This article includes details below on my experience and why I recommend starting service in-store only.

I tested out Boost Mobile for 30 days to explore its coverage, call and text performance, customer service and more. 

Table of Contents:

• Plans and Pricing
• Activation Process
• Call and Text Performance
• Data Speeds
• Customer Service
• Methodology

Below, you’ll find more information about Boost Mobile including what plans are available, how reliable the service is and whether or not you should consider it as your mobile carrier. 

1. Plans and Pricing

Boost Mobile offers eight different prepaid plans, but prices vary depending on the length of the plan. While you can purchase a plan for one month at a time through Boost Mobile, you can also choose to pay for three or 12 months in advance. 

Below, you’ll see the current Boost Mobile plans that you can choose from with the monthly price and data allotments. You’ll also see the plan length and total due at each billing cycle.

Note: The “Total Due” column in the table above does not reflect a $25 one-time activation fee for bringing your own phone.

Taxes and fe e s may apply , but when I signed up in-store, the only extra charge I incurred was the activation fee.

All of Boost Mobile’s plans include unlimited talk and text. Many come with the ability to share your data via mobile hotspot. However, your mobile hotspot usage comes out of your overall monthly data allotment unless otherwise noted. If you get an unlimited plan, speeds will slow once you’ve used a certain amount of data, which depends on which plan you buy (see table above).

International features aren’t included with Boost Mobile plans, but they’re available for an additional fee. Roaming add-ons include “Todo Mexico Plus” for $5 per month and “International Connect Plus” for $10 per month. You can check out all of Boost Mobile international services on the company’s website.

You can combine and stack Boost Mobile’s prepaid plans to create a multi-line family account. Multiline discounts vary by plan, but you can check out the full details of Boost Mobile’s Family Plan online.

Compared to other MVNOs, Boost Mobile offers good prices on several plans. However, know that if you’re looking at a cheaper plan, 5G phones may or may not support it. When I tested Boost Mobile, I wanted to try the $15 monthly 2GB plan (now 5GB), but the cheapest monthly plan that was compatible with my Motorola moto e phone was the $25 5GB plan (no longer available). In the store, a Boost Mobile representative showed me a brand new Boost Mobile phone that worked only with $50+ monthly unlimited plans. 

For this reason, if you’re bringing your own phone to the network, instead of ordering a SIM card online, be sure to visit your nearest Boost Mobile store to figure out which plan will work with your device.

2. Activation Process

I’ve been testing various MVNOs over the past year, and until Boost Mobile, I had been able to sign up for each service online without any problems. Unfortunately, I did not have the same experience with Boost Mobile. 

In fact, if you do decide to move forward with switching to Boost Mobile, I highly recommend activating your phone in person at a Boost Mobile store; do not order a SIM card online.  

I originally tried to order a Boost Mobile SIM card online, and while it seemed like the process was going smoothly at first, below are the top reasons I warn against it now.

1. I was never prompted to check my phone’s eligibility online before getting to the checkout screen. 

If you’re purchasing a new phone through Boost Mobile, this isn’t a big deal. However, if you’re bringing your own device, it’s important to check your phone’s compatibility before switching. 

Once I chose the Boost Mobile plan I wanted to purchase, I was immediately directed to the checkout page to enter my payment information. I quickly realized I hadn’t been prompted to check my phone’s compatibility with Boost Mobile, so I opened a new tab to do this. 

You can make sure your phone is compatible with Boost Mobile’s network by visiting the company’s website and entering your phone’s device ID (IMEI).

You can find your phone’s IMEI by dialing *#06#. Once you enter your phone’s IMEI on Boost Mobile’s website, click “continue.” When I did this, I learned that my phone was compatible with Boost’s network.

2. Even if your phone is eligible for Boost Mobile’s network, it may not work with the plan you purchase online.

Once I verified that my phone was compatible, I returned to the checkout screen and entered my billing and account information including an email address and existing phone number. I also had the option here to port my existing number or get a new number. 

But when I tried to place my order, I got this error message:

I called Boost Mobile’s customer service phone line, but the representative was unable to help me order a new SIM card without an existing Boost Mobile account. Instead, the rep recommended that I visit my nearest Boost Mobile store to order a SIM card that way. 

Once I got to the store, I learned that my device wasn’t compatible with the $15 2GB monthly plan (now 5GB), so I wasn’t actually able to order the SIM card online. 

Since Boost Mobile’s online system doesn’t ask you to enter any device details before you get to the checkout page, I can see how someone could easily order a SIM card for a plan that ends up not working with their phone. 

In fact, that’s one of the reasons I list my next point.

3. Customer reviews indicate a bad experience with ordering phones and SIM cards online through Boost Mobile.

After my experience with trying to order a Boost Mobile SIM card, I wanted to see how it compared to that of other customers. I read through dozens of recent customer reviews and found similar experiences on the following websites: 

• Better Business Bureau — 1.08/5 stars from 732 reviews
• Trustpilot — 1.3/5 stars from 381 reviews
• SiteJabber — 1.29/5 stars from 1,022 reviews
• Influenster — 3.31/5 stars from 362 reviews
• Consumer Affairs — 1.4/5 stars from 1,769 reviews

While I can’t ensure that every review is verified, it’s clear that customers are generally unsatisfied with Boost Mobile. After reading through the reviews, I found several recent complaints about issues with online orders, SIM cards not working, problems with the activation process and customer service in general.

The Alternative: Visiting a Boost Mobile Store

Instead of ordering your SIM card online, I highly recommend visiting a Boost Mobile store in person to prevent any issues with compatibility or service activation. 

You can find your nearest Boost Mobile store online by entering your city and state or ZIP code.

After I got to my nearest Boost Mobile store, the representative set up my phone in about 30 minutes. 

I discovered that the cheapest plan I was eligible to purchase, given that I was bringing my own phone, was the $25 per month 5GB plan (no longer available). When it was time to pay for the first month, I also discovered an additional one-time $25 activation fee for bringing my own device , which brought the total to $50 for 30 days.

While I was in the store, the representative did verify that I had working mobile phone service; unfortunately, the rep did not also test my cellular data, When I got home, I discovered that the data didn’t work, but I’d gotten a text message that included a link to finish the activation process and enable mobile data. 

While there were step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process online, I was at a loss. I found the whole thing to be confusing, and I was required to modify settings on my phone that I hadn’t had to modify for any other MVNO. 

The process took approximately 20 minutes, and I was ultimately unsuccessful.

I took my phone back to the Boost Mobile store where a representative, after a little trial and error, was able to get the cellular data working. The rep recommended I take a picture of the document below so that I could re-enter the correct information if my cellular data stopped working throughout the month. Fortunately, it did not.

3. Call and Text Performance

Once my service was activated, I didn’t have any issues with the service itself. Over the course of 30 days, I tried out Boost Mobile’s service by making and receiving calls as well as sending and receiving text messages. 

During the month that I tested Boost Mobile service, I had reliable, clear service with no dropped calls or undelivered text messages. However, as is the case with all cell providers, the quality of service can vary greatly from one area to the next. 

Boost Mobile provides access to DISH, T-Mobile and AT&T’s networks. To see if you’ll have coverage in your area, check out Boost Mobile’s coverage map online.

If you visit Boost Mobile’s website , you can enter your address to see if you’ll have service in your area.

4. Data Speeds

Boost Mobile offers access to T-Mobile and AT&T’s 4G/LTE and 5G networks. Based on my experience as well as Boost Mobile’s coverage map , it’s likely that you’ll have access to cellular service and data with this MVNO. Speeds can vary by location even if you’re in the service area.

If you have access to high-speed data in your area, you’ll likely experience reliable download speeds. When I tried out Boost Mobile myself, I checked the data speeds using speedtest.net by Ookla. See the results below.

I experienced an average download speed of around 24Mpbs. The fastest download speed I saw was 33.4Mbps, and the slowest download speed I saw was 12.17Mbps. 

For context, Netflix recommends a download speed of 3 Mbps for streaming HD video. Amazon says you’ll need a download speed of at least 1 Mbps for SD video and 5 Mbps for HD video on Prime. 

While this isn’t the fastest download speed I’ve seen with an MVNO, Boost Mobile’s high-speed data should be fast enough to do most things online, including streaming HD video based on these numbers. 

Boost Mobile plans also include hotspot data, which lets you share your mobile data with other devices. Throughout the month, I connected my laptop to my Boost Mobile hotspot to test the speeds on Ookla. Below, I’ve posted a screenshot of what I found.

The download speed via hotspot was slightly slower on average at around 20Mbps. The fastest download speed I saw was 27Mbps, while the slowest download speed I saw was 15Mbps.

The plan I tried came with 5GB of data monthly. I found a page on the Boost Mobile app designed to track my data use, but the feature never actually worked for me. 

After you’ve exceeded your monthly data limit, you’ll have to wait until your next billing cycle to continue using mobile data. However, if you have an unlimited plan, data speeds will simply slow after 30GB of high-speed data.

5. Customer Service

Good customer service is important in a phone carrier. Whenever it’s extended wait times or unhelpful representatives, dealing with customer service with phone service providers can be a pain. Unfortunately, Boost Mobile was no exception. 

To see how long I’d have to wait for service and what type of service I’d get, I contacted Boost Mobile both via phone and online chat.

To contact Boost Mobile, you can visit the website or mobile app to chat or call Boost Mobile at 833-502-6678 any weekday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST or on weekends from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can also visit a nearby Boost Mobile store in person for faster, more thorough assistance.

When I tried to reach out to Boost Mobile, I couldn’t get the chat feature to connect to a live representative, and the automated phone system kept leading me in circles and disconnecting. I ended up having to place five separate calls and navigated the automated system for a total of 12 minutes before I got connected to a person. Once I got through the automated system, though, I didn’t have to wait on hold to talk to someone.

However, both times that I needed assistance from Boost Mobile, I ended up having to go to the physical store, as the representatives over the phone weren’t able to help with ordering a SIM card or activating my mobile data.

Based on reviews on websites including BBB and Trustpilot , customer service is an area in which Boost Mobile does not perform well. In fact, poor customer service is mentioned in most of the ratings I read online.

6. Methodology

Before I began testing phone plans, I highlighted the key factors that I would be exploring. This way, I would be able to accurately compare phone plans and get a full overview of what to expect from the service.

Here are the key factors I focused on while trying out each phone plan: 

• Length of Time. I tested each phone plan for 30 days to observe the network’s reliability and gather feedback from friends and family regarding service. 
• Signing Up. I signed up for each phone plan myself to document the process of getting started, testing phone compatibility or bringing your own device, how long it takes to receive the SIM card and the activation process.
• Reliability. I used my personal AT&T line as a base to see how often the tested phone plan had service and noted any dropped calls/undelivered text messages.
• Service. During the month, I made/received at least 15 calls and sent/received at least 15 text messages. I also tested the phone’s data speed and hotspot speed using speedtest.net. 
• Customer Support. During my time testing out each phone service, I contacted customer support in all available ways to determine which method is best, how long it took to reach a person and how helpful the experience was.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, I had a good experience with Boost Mobile after the activation process. However, the activation process was time-consuming and a little stressful. Also, I was not expecting the $25 activation fee for bringing my own device.  

I can see how someone could unknowingly buy an incompatible SIM card online, which could end up costing hundreds of prepaid dollars (depending on the plan). 

For these reasons, I recommend going to a Boost Mobile store in person to purchase and activate your new service. That being said, if you’re buying a new phone through Boost Mobile or if your current device will work with the plan that you’d like to purchase, you may be able to save on your monthly phone bill with Boost.

If you are still thinking about switching to Boost Mobile, ask yourself these questions first: 

• Will you have coverage in your area? You can check Boost Mobile’s coverage map online to see if you’ll have service in your area. You can also enter your ZIP code and email address to see which plans are available to you here .
• Can you get by with limited data? Boost Mobile offers phone plans ranging from 1GB to 30GB of high-speed data per month with its unlimited data plan. While the unlimited plans do include unlimited 2G speeds, none of Boost Mobile’s plans include truly high-speed data. Plus, the speeds I experienced on Boost Mobile’s 5GB plan were usually not fast enough to stream HD video.
• Are you shopping for a new phone or is your current device compatible with Boost Mobile? This is the biggest issue with Boost Mobile for me. Not all plans will work with all phones, which means you may (like me) have your eye on a cheaper plan only to find out you aren’t eligible. Make sure you know which plans will work with your current phone or with a new phone from Boost Mobile before you buy it. Plus, expect a $25 activation fee if you bring your own phone.
• Do you have a Boost Mobile store nearby? In my experience, Boost Mobile’s online and phone customer support systems were not helpful, and I had to travel to the store to activate my service and have an issue resolved during the month I was using Boost. Based on recent customer reviews online, this isn’t an uncommon experience. Before you switch to Boost Mobile, make sure you have a store nearby that you can get to if you have issues with service.

If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions, then Boost Mobile may be worth considering. However, I do recommend this MVNO with caution for the reasons detailed above. 

For more options, be sure to read our guide on the best cell phone plans and deals available now . Once you’ve decided on a new phone plan and you’re ready to make the switch, check out this guide that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process.

Have you tried Boost Mobile?  Let us know in our Clark.com Community  or check out  the latest conversations around cell phones . 

• February 20, 2024: Annual 5GB and 15GB plans are no longer available
• February 20, 2024: Updated current online ratings of Boost Mobile across various websites
• July 31, 2023: Updated plan pricing, high-speed data allotments and mobile hotspot capabilities

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17 Ways to Increase Your Internet Speed

Last Updated: March 23, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA . Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,831,147 times.

This wikiHow teaches you how to increase your Internet's speed and consistency. While it isn't possible to increase your Internet speed past the speed for which you're paying your Internet Service Provider, most people don't get the most out of their Internet connections. By applying a mixture of general fixes, hardware solutions, and software updates—including changing your computer's DNS settings—you can optimize your Internet connection for speed.

Things You Should Know

• To improve your Internet speed, you can do a few things, but restarting your modem is the simplest fix.
• You can also use a strong and complex password with WPA2 security on your router to make sure no one is leeching off your network.
• Try moving your router to a better location if it's causing you issues, like up higher and in the center of your home.

Restart your router.

• You can program your router to restart itself daily from within its settings page .

Luigi Oppido

Expert Trick: If you're on your phone or computer and your Internet seems slow, try connecting on another device. If it's also slow on that device, you'll know the problem is with the Internet. If that's the case, turn off your modem and router for 30 seconds, then turn them back on and wait 5 minutes. If that doesn't work, call your Internet service provider. They'll run an automated test on their end to make sure your modem is working properly.

Get rid of bandwidth leeches.

Move your router to a better location.

• If your router is on a different floor than you, you may not even be able to receive a signal. You can use a range extender if you have one.
• If your router has an external antenna, adjust it. If you can, pull the antenna out so it adjusts horizontally as well as vertically.
• Line-of-sight between your work area and your router is important, but it doesn't matter if there are several dampening appliances near the router. Dampening appliances can be anything from baby monitors to microwaves to refrigerators, so make sure that your router is far away from these items.
• Your router should also be up relatively high. If your router is at a lower level than the level at which you use your computer, phone, tablet, and so on, you'll probably run into Internet connection issues.

Add an internet extender.

• You can also try a mesh Wi-Fi router, which is a few units that work together to spread your Wi-Fi around.

Shorten the space between your computer and router.

• Make sure that your router and your computer have plenty of room all the way around to prevent overheating.

Change the Wi-Fi frequency channel.

• However, if your router is limited to using the 2.4 GHz frequency, you can change the channel between 1, 6, or 11.
• You can do this by logging into the router's admin page in a web browser.

Reduce how many devices are using your network.

• It isn't always feasible to limit Internet access to one computer, but you can turn off and unplug things like smart TVs, extra computers, video game consoles, and anything else (e.g., an extra smartphone or tablet) that maintains an Internet connection even when turned off.

Update your router's firmware.

• This is especially important if you just bought a brand-new router, or if you use a router that's more than a year or two old.

Modernize your router.

Run a malware scan.

• It's a good idea to run antivirus scans once a week or so, even if everything seems to be running fine.

Update your Internet browser.

• Update Google Chrome
• Update Firefox
• Update Safari

Clear your browser's cached files.

• Websites will be a little bit slower to load the first time visiting them after clearing the cache; this is normal.

Disable any background apps.

Disable Wi-Fi channels that you're not using.

Use a cable connection instead of Wi-Fi.

• If you use a Mac computer, you'll most likely need an Ethernet to USB-C adapter if you want to plug your computer into the router.
• You cannot connect mobile platforms (e.g., smartphones and tablets) to Ethernet without an adapter.
• If your computer does not have an ethernet port, you can purchase a USB-to-Ethernet adapter and easily plug in your cord that way.

Upgrade your Internet.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://eu.battle.net/support/en/article/31851
• ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/wi-fi-versus-your-walls
• ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/turbocharge-your-home-Internet-connection-192588
• ↑ https://www.actiontec.com/wifihelp/wireless-network-capacityhow-many-devices-can-connect-wifi-network/
• ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/a-quick-way-to-fix-your-Internet-connection-and-make-it-faster-update-your-routers-firmware/

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Connect Sonos to a new router or WiFi network

Your Sonos system needs updated network information after you’ve changed your WiFi network name, password, or replaced your router. This article will help you connect your Sonos system to a new router or to a new WiFi network.

Sonos app for iOS or Android

Sonos app version 80.0

The Sonos app’s ability to update your Sonos system’s WiFi credentials is temporarily unavailable. It will be added again in a future update.

Use one of the workaround methods below to connect your Sonos products to a new WiFi network or provide a new WiFi password.

Switch to a wired setup

When wired to a router, some Sonos products can broadcast their own dedicated wireless network that other Sonos products can use.

If you have Sonos products that support this, you can temporarily use your Sonos system in a wired setup as a workaround. You can find instructions on how to switch to a wired setup, as well as a list of products that don’t support this type of setup, in this article .

Reset your Sonos products and set them up again

In order to connect to a new network or use a new WiFi password, your Sonos products must be factory reset and set up again. During the setup process, you’ll provide each of your Sonos products with your updated WiFi network name and password.

If you would like assistance with this process, please contact Sonos Support .

• Factory reset each Sonos product in your system. This will erase all existing system data, including settings, Sonos Playlists, and Sonos Favorites.
• Close and re-open the Sonos app. If all of your products have been reset, the Sonos app will display “No products found.”
• Select one of your reset products and follow the steps in the app to set it up again. You’ll select a WiFi network and provide a WiFi password during this step.
• Repeat step 4 for any remaining products that were reset.
• Add any content services or voice services that were previously on your system.

Once completed, all of your Sonos products will be set up again and connected to your network with the newest WiFi credentials.

Sonos S1 Controller app for iOS or Android

If sonos connects through your wifi network.

If your Sonos system is in a wireless setup , follow the steps below. If you have more than one Sonos product in your system, this process will require you to temporarily connect a Sonos product to your router with an Ethernet cable.

• Open the Sonos S1 Controller app and wait while it searches for your Sonos system.
• When you see the message "Unable to connect to Sonos," select Learn More .
• Select Changed router or Wi-Fi settings?
• Follow the instructions to connect Sonos to your new router or WiFi network.

If a Sonos product is wired to your network with an Ethernet cable

Still need help.

Our technicians can help over the phone or with a live chat. You can also ask questions and find answers with other Sonos owners in our Sonos Community.

Ask the Community

For when existing WiFi isn’t reliable enough for streaming music—

• Boost broadcasts 360° signals through walls and ceilings for flawless coverage.
• Streams without interference in the most challenging WiFi environments.
• Bypasses your WiFi to create a separate high-performance wireless network just for Sonos speakers.
• Works with either Sonos S2 or Sonos S1 (for Android and iOS).

When to use a Boost

• Your WiFi is slow or temperamental, or your network is already in high demand with streaming video, gaming, and internet usage.
• WiFi doesn’t reach all the rooms where you want to use Sonos. Extend the range of your Sonos system by placing a Boost in between the Sonos speaker that’s out of reach and the rest of the Sonos system.
• Your network is 5 GHz only (not switchable to 2.4 GHz).
• Your router supports only 802.11n (you can’t change the settings to support 802.11b/g/n).

Note : Portable Sonos products cannot connect to the dedicated wireless network created by Boost.

Controls and lights

Connector panel.

Select a location

If you purchased a Boost to replace a Sonos product that’s connected to your router, first add Boost to your Sonos system, then plug it into your router and move the one that was originally wired.

If you purchased a Boost to extend the range of your Sonos system, place Boost in between the Sonos speaker that’s out of reach and the rest of the Sonos system.

Specifications

* Specifications subject to change without notice.

Important safety information

• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with dry soft cloth. Household cleaners or solvents can damage the finish on your Sonos products.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.
• Protect the power cable from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
• This product does not have any user-serviceable parts. Do not open or disassemble or attempt to repair it or replace any components. Refer all servicing to Sonos qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cable or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• The Mains plug should be readily available to disconnect the equipment.
• Warning : To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
• Do not expose apparatus to dripping or splashing and do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.
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The nation’s power grid is overwhelmed. New rules aim to boost construction.

A “make-or-break moment” as the U.S. electricity network buckles under soaring demand and extreme weather.

Sweeping changes to the way long-distance power lines are planned and built were approved by federal regulators Monday, as they try to revitalize an overwhelmed electricity grid that is ill equipped to handle soaring demand.

The reforms, approved 2-1 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with its lone Republican dissenting, come as fraying transmission infrastructure is undermining the economy in some regions and leaving large swaths of the country experiencing routine power shortages. Called the power grid, this network of wires and transfer stations also is not keeping pace with growth in solar and wind power, experts say.

“Our grid is at a make-or-break moment,” FERC Chair Willie Phillips said following the vote. “It is being tested in ways we have never seen before.” Phillips said new demand for power from surging data center electricity use, the on-shoring of clean tech industrial manufacturing and the transition away from fossil fuels is pushing the country’s electricity system to the brink.

At the same time, Phillips said, the construction of badly needed new transmission infrastructure that would shore up the power grid has slowed to a crawl, setting the stage for more blackouts and economically damaging energy shortages across the nation.

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The goal of the federal rule changes approved Monday is to encourage construction of new high-voltage lines that enable developers to bring more energy online quickly, particularly clean energy.

The rules require states and utilities to collaborate on 20-year plans that consider demand forecasts and the most equitable ways to pay for the projects.

While the vote signals federal government determination to break the logjam on electricity infrastructure investment, it also underscores how limited its tools are.

Regulators still have minimal authority to push projects through when they get stymied by financial, environmental and property rights disputes, which often stretch across state lines. Congress granted the commission new power to greenlight permits for projects stalled at the state level, but it is limited.

The commission unanimously approved a measure Monday that allows it to exercise those new powers if projects stall in 10 national transmission corridors to be identified by the Energy Department. The department’s draft plan for the corridors include some 3,500 miles of power lines across the country.

But tens of thousands of miles of new lines need to be built by 2035 to keep up with demand and meet climate goals, according to the Biden administration.

The amount of new transmission lines installed in the United States has dropped sharply since 2013 , when 4,000 miles were added. Now, the nation struggles to bring online even 1,000 new miles a year.

A group of scientists led by Princeton University professor Jesse Jenkins warned in a report that by 2030 the United States risks losing out on 80 percent of the potential emission reductions from President Biden’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, if the pace of transmission construction does not pick up dramatically.

Environmental and consumer advocacy organizations applauded FERC’s actions.

“We urgently need every grid operator to determine where and what transmission lines to build,” said a statement from Cullen Howe, a senior advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The power system is changing, and this rule ensures the nation’s power grid will advance with clarity and consistency, rather than a haphazard approach.”

Efforts to invest in the grid are repeatedly stymied by interstate disputes between lawmakers and regulators with clashing priorities. A push in one state to build out transmission networks for clean energy to help meet climate goals can be undermined by a state through which power lines for the project must run, as regulators there worry local ratepayers will unfairly get burdened with covering the bill.

The new rules force regulators and utilities across state lines to align their long-term goals and draft infrastructure investment blueprints, rather than taking a Band-Aid, crisis-driven approach.

Some state regulators and power company executives warn the new federal requirements are intrusive. They contend they are designed to promote clean energy at the expense of ratepayer pocketbooks. Their argument was embraced at Monday’s hearing by FERC Commissioner Mark Christie, a Republican, who delivered a blistering critique of the reforms before voting against them.

“This rule is not fair to consumers,” Christie said. “This rule is a pretext to enact a sweeping policy agenda that Congress never passed.” He accused the Democrats on the commission of rushing the process to inoculate the rule against repeal if their party loses the White House in the upcoming election.

“We all know why this is being rushed through,” Christie said, alluding to the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to scrap new federal rules before they take effect.

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• 08 May 2024

Major AlphaFold upgrade offers boost for drug discovery

• Ewen Callaway

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

You have full access to this article via your institution.

An AlphaFold3 model of a bacterial enzyme bound to a chemical. Credit: Isomorphic Labs

Since the powerhouse artificial intelligence (AI) tool AlphaFold2 was released in 2021, scientists have used the protein-structure-prediction model to map one of our cells’ biggest machines, discover drugs and chart the universe of every known protein.

Despite such successes, John Jumper — who leads AlphaFold’s development at Google DeepMind in London — is regularly asked whether the tool can do more. Requests include the ability to predict the shape of proteins that contain function-altering modifications, or their structure alongside those of DNA, RNA and other cellular players that are crucial to a protein’s duties. “I would say ‘no, you can’t put that into AlphaFold’,” Jumper says. “I would rather solve their problems.”

What’s next for AlphaFold and the AI protein-folding revolution

The latest version of AlphaFold, described on 8 May in Nature 1 , aims to do just that — by giving scientists the ability to predict the structures of proteins during interactions with other molecules. But whereas DeepMind made the 2021 version of the tool freely available to researchers without restriction, AlphaFold3 is limited to non-commercial use through a DeepMind website.

Frank Uhlmann, a biochemist at the Francis Crick Institute in London who gained early access to AlphaFold3, has been impressed with its capabilities. “This is just revolutionary,” he says. “It’s going to democratize structural-biology research.”

Another revolution

“Revolutionary” is how many scientists have described the impact of AlphaFold2 on biology since it was unleashed 2 ( the first version 3 , released in 2020, was good, but not game-changing, Jumper has said). The AI predicts a protein’s structures from its amino-acid sequence, often with startling accuracy that is on par with that of experimental methods.

A freely available AlphaFold database holds the predicted structure of nearly every known protein. The availability of the AlphaFold2 code has also allowed other researchers to easily build on it: an early hack enabled the prediction of interactions between multiple proteins, a capability included in an update to AlphaFold2.

Jumper’s ennui over explaining AlphaFold’s inability to predict other aspects of a protein’s ecosystem stems from their importance: protein modifications, such as the addition of a phosphate molecule, can allow cells to respond to external cues, an infection, for instance, and set off a chain of events in response. Interactions with DNA, RNA and other chemicals are essential to many proteins’ duties.

Real-world examples of these interactions are readily available in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), a repository of experimentally determined structures that is the foundation of AlphaFold’s capabilities. An ideal tool would be able to predict structures of a protein alongside its accessories, says Jumper. “We want to solve the whole PDB.”

Major upgrade

To create AlphaFold3, Jumper, DeepMind chief executive Demis Hassabis and their colleagues made large changes to its predecessor: the latest version depends less on information about proteins related to a target sequence, for instance. AlphaFold3 also uses a type of machine-learning network — called a diffusion model — that is used by image-generating AIs such as Midjourney. “It’s a pretty substantial change,” says Jumper.

AlphaFold’s new rival? Meta AI predicts shape of 600 million proteins

AlphaFold3, the researchers found, substantially outperforms existing software tools at predicting the structure of proteins and their partners. For instance, scientists — especially those interested in finding new drugs — have conventionally used ‘docking’ software to physically model how well chemicals bind to proteins (usually with help from the proteins’ experimentally determined structures). AlphaFold3 proved superior to two docking programs, as well as to another AI-based tool called RoseTTAFold All-Atom 4 .

Uhlmann’s team has used AlphaFold3 to predict the structure of DNA-interacting proteins involved in copying the genome, a step that is essential to cell division. Experiments in which proteins are mutated to alter such interactions suggest that the predictions were usually spot on, Uhlmann says. “It’s an amazing discovery tool,” he adds.

“The structure-prediction performance of AlphaFold3 is very impressive,” says David Baker, a computational biophysicist at the University of Washington in Seattle. It’s better than RoseTTAFold All-Atom, which his team developed 4 , he adds.

Restricted access

Unlike RoseTTAFold and AlphaFold2, scientists will not be able to run their own version of AlphaFold3, nor will the code underlying AlphaFold3 or other information obtained after training the model be made public. Instead, researchers will have access to an ‘AlphaFold3 server’, on which they can input their protein sequence of choice, alongside a selection of accessory molecules.

How AlphaFold can realize AI’s full potential in structural biology

Uhlmann likes what he has so far seen of the server, which he says is simpler and quicker than the version of AlphaFold2 that he has access to at his institute. “You upload it and 10 minutes later, you’ve got the structures,” he says. For most scientists, “the server is really going to smash it. Everybody can do it.”

Access to the AlphaFold3 server, however, is limited. Scientists are currently restricted to 10 predictions a day, and it is not possible to obtain structures of proteins bound to possible drugs.

Isomorphic Labs, a DeepMind spin-off company in London, is using AlphaFold3 to develop drugs, both through its own pipeline and with other pharmaceutical companies. “We have to strike a balance between making sure that this is accessible and has the impact in the scientific community as well as not compromising Isomorphic’s ability to pursue commercial drug discovery,” says Pushmeet Kohli, DeepMind’s head of AI science and a study co-author.

Because of the restriction on modelling protein interactions with possible drugs, “I can’t see it having the impact AlphaFold2 had”, says Brian Shoichet, a pharmaceutical chemist at the University of California, San Francisco, who has been using AlphaFold structures to hunt for therapeutic candidates.

Sergey Ovchinnikov, an evolutionary biologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, had hoped to develop a web version of AlphaFold3, as he and his colleagues have done for AlphaFold2 shortly after its code was released. But based on the ample information provided in the latest Nature paper, it shouldn’t take long for other teams to create their own versions, he says. “I would expect open-source solutions before the end of the year.”

Nature 629 , 509-510 (2024)

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New Rules to Overhaul Electric Grids Could Boost Wind and Solar Power

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the biggest changes in more than a decade to the way U.S. power lines are planned and funded.

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By Brad Plumer

Reporting from Washington

Federal regulators on Monday approved sweeping changes to how America’s electric grids are planned and funded, in a move that supporters hope could spur thousands of miles of new high-voltage power lines and make it easier to add more wind and solar energy.

The new rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees interstate electricity transmission, is the most significant attempt in years to upgrade and expand the country’s creaking electricity network. Experts have warned that there aren’t nearly enough high-voltage power lines being built today, putting the country at greater risk of blackouts from extreme weather while making it harder to shift to renewable sources of energy and cope with rising electricity demand.

A big reason for the slow pace of grid expansion is that operators rarely plan for the long term, the commission said.

The nation’s three main electric grids are overseen by a patchwork of utilities and regional grid operators that mainly focus on ensuring the reliability of electricity to homes and businesses. When it comes to building new transmission lines, grid operators tend to be reactive, responding after a wind-farm developer asks to connect to the existing network or once a reliability problem is spotted.

The new federal rule , which was two years in the making, requires grid operators around the country to identify needs 20 years into the future, taking into account factors like changes in the energy mix, the growing number of states that require wind and solar power and the risks of extreme weather.

Grid planners would have to evaluate the benefits of new transmission lines, such as whether they would lower electricity costs or reduce the risk of blackouts, and develop methods for splitting the costs of those lines among customers and businesses.

“We must plan our nation’s grid for the long term,” said Willie Phillips, a Democrat who chairs the energy commission. “Our country’s aging grid is being tested in ways that we’ve never seen before. Without significant action now, we won’t be able to keep the lights on in the face of increasing demand, extreme weather, and new technologies.”

The commission approved the rule by a 2-1 vote, with the two Democratic commissioners in favor and the lone Republican, Mark Christie, opposed. Mr. Christie said the rule would allow states that want more renewable energy to unfairly pass on the costs of the necessary grid upgrades to their neighbors.

“This rule utterly fails to protect consumers,” said Mr. Christie. He said it “was intended to facilitate a massive transfer of wealth from consumers to for-profit, special interests, particularly wind and solar developers.”

It could take years for the rule to have an effect, and the commission could face legal challenges from states concerned about higher costs.

Nationwide, energy companies have proposed more than 11,000 wind, solar and battery projects, but many are in limbo because there’s not enough capacity on the grid to accommodate them. What’s more, individual developers are currently required to pay for grid upgrades to accommodate their projects in a process that is piecemeal and slow.

Some critics say that’s like asking a trucking company to pay for an additional lane on a highway that all motorists ultimately use. A better approach, they say, would be to plan ahead for broad upgrades with the costs shared by a wide set of energy providers and users.

But the question of who pays for those grid expansions has sparked furious debate.

Officials in states that are less enthusiastic about wind and solar power, like Kentucky or West Virginia, say they could be forced to foot the bill for new multibillion-dollar transmission lines meant to help states like New Jersey or Illinois fulfill their renewable energy ambitions.

To allay those concerns, the commission laid out guidelines around how to split the costs of new transmission projects. Before any lines are planned, utilities and grid operators are supposed to work with states on a formula for allocating costs to customers based on the potential benefits from the new lines.

There is some precedent for this. The grid that handles electricity in 15 Midwest states, known as MISO, recently approved $10.3 billion in new power lines, partly because many of its states have ambitious renewable energy goals that require more transmission. MISO estimated the lines would create up to $69 billion in total benefits , including lower fuel costs and fewer blackouts. The grid operator was then able to split the costs even among states that didn’t have renewable policies but would share in the rewards.

“It’s super hard, and not everyone got what they wanted, but we all agreed that we would sit in a room and figure this out,” said Carrie Zalewski, a former state regulator for Illinois who is now with the American Clean Power Association, a renewable energy trade group.

Mr. Christie said the final rule didn’t give states enough power to object to how the costs would be shared. But Allison Clements, the other Democrat on the commission, said that giving each state a veto was “a recipe for inaction.”

The rule would also require utilities and grid operators to consider new technologies that might cost more upfront but could make grids more efficient and deliver long-term benefits, such as advanced conductors that can carry twice as much current as traditional lines.

Environmental groups and renewable energy companies praised the new rules.

“This is a monumental day in the fight against climate change,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic majority leader, who had urged the commission to pass a forceful grid-planning rule.

Over the past year, Mr. Schumer and other Democrats have warned that efforts to fight climate change could fail if the nation’s grids aren’t overhauled. Power plants that burn coal and gas are a major source of the pollution that is dangerously heating the planet. While the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act poured hundreds of billions of dollars into cleaner alternatives like wind and solar power, one recent analysis found that half of the climate benefits of that law could be lost if the United States can’t build new transmission at a faster pace.

It remains to be seen how effective the new rule will be, since that will depend on how grid operators implement it. A 2011 attempt by the commission to encourage transmission planning largely faltered , in part because many utilities were opposed to new long-distance lines that might undercut their monopolies, said Ari Peskoe, director of the Electricity Law Initiative at Harvard Law School. Because of the decentralized nature of the nation’s grids, there is only so much that federal regulators can do to force operators to comply.

“I suspect this rule will be helpful in parts of the country where there’s already momentum for more transmission development” such as the Northeast, said Mr. Peskoe. “But in places where big utilities are resistant to more transmission, I don’t know if FERC can do that much.”

The new rule affects grid planning within 12 large regions around the country , but it wouldn’t require the planning of transmission to connect those different regions to each other, which some experts say is an even bigger need. The rule would also not affect the main grid in Texas, which is insulated from federal regulations because it doesn’t cross state lines.

The rule also doesn’t address the logistical and political challenges of constructing new long-distance power lines. It can take a decade or more for developers to locate a project through numerous jurisdictions, receive permits from a patchwork of different federal and state agencies and resolve lawsuits about spoiled views or damage to ecosystems.

The Biden administration recently finalized a program intended to cut the federal permitting time for certain large transmission lines in half. But speeding things up further might require action from Congress, where lawmakers have struggled to agree on new transmission policies.

In a separate rule on Monday, the federal energy commission did, however, outline certain situations in which it might override state objections to a small subset of new power lines.

At issue are a set of ten “national interest electric transmission corridors” that the Energy Department has tentatively identified across the country — places where new lines would be particularly beneficial. If state regulators either blocked or delayed a project in those corridors, the federal commission could step in to approve it.

But some experts question how often this would happen, since the commission has historically preferred to collaborate with states.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the given name of one of the commissioners. She is Allison Clements, not Alison.

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Ign buys four major gaming sites as games journalism keeps spiraling.

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IGN Entertainment, owned by Ziff Davis, has now bought the entire Gamer Network of brands, which includes at least four of the highest-profile gaming sites left alive in the space, and stakes in others.

The purchase includes Eurogamer, GamesIndustry.biz, Rock Paper Shotgun and VG247. Then, shares in Outside Xbox, Digital Foundry, Nintendolife, PushSquare, Pure Xbox and Time Extension. The move has already resulted in significant “redundancy” layoffs of acclaimed journalists across the brands as they are absorbed into the mega-site.

While consolidation is generally not great in any industry, game journalism is especially struggling and moves like this are only going to make things worse. Mid-level or smaller sites are already fighting against YouTube and Twitch, and for visibility against Google’s increasingly actively hostile search policies (which now include AI rip-offs of their articles as of last week), but now you have a site like IGN owning five major brands that can populate the entire link list for a given topic, in theory.

While this is just the latest move, we have other, similar ones in the past. Fandom bought GameSpot, Giant Bomb and even Metacritic, the all-improtant aggregator, back in 2022. The Gamur network has over a dozen publications including Destructoid, The Escapist, Gamepur and Twinfinite.

The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000: Boost Your Games For Less

There are some big-name sites that are relatively standalone, or at least the only gaming site in their network. Polygon seems like the healthiest, perhapps, while something like Kotaku seems constantly on death’s door with a skeleton staff trying to fight against its poor private equity management. Elsewhere, there are major brands like the New York Times and Forbes (hey that’s me) in the gaming space, covering the massive industry that make it harder for smaller sites to compete. But even there, there are problems. The Washington Post recently culled almost its entire gaming vertical, cut down to more or less one guy (hi Gene).

There is also the public war against game journalists by in part, the “anti-woke” crowd who believes the progressive-leaning outlets are going extinct because of allegedly activist takes. And there are also console fanboys who are constantly ripping outlets for allegedly favoring one piece of hardware or another, or lambasting them for “inconsistent opinions” across dozens of writers who have diverse viewpoints. In short, when you bring up the layoffs and general destruction of the industry, the reaction from gamers is often a disheartening “good, they deserve it.”

It's almost all bad news. Many former bigger names in the space have either fled to PR, game development itself or have fashioned their own independent entities like Kinda Funny Games or the recently-formed Aftermath. Others have realized that you yourself sort of need to be a “brand” with a big social media presence, a paywalled newsletter or your own YouTube/Twitch space to draw a consistent audience (this essentially what I’ve done the last few years especially).

It's hard to see this getting better. I feel for my colleagues who are enduring this sort of thing essentially every month at this point, and I feel like the recent Google AI push especially is the Mad Max dust storm on the horizon poised to blow everyone away for good. God help us all.

Follow me on Twitter , Threads , YouTube , and Instagram .

Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy .

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After layoffs, Musk says Tesla to spend $500 million on charging network

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U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on Wednesday proposed requiring disclosure of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in political ads on radio and TV.

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HHS research arm looks to boost hospital cyber defenses with $50M project

The new project comes amid sustained Congressional attention on HHS's role in overseeing healthcare cybersecurity in the wake of the Change Healthcare incident.

Amid relentless targeting of the health sector by ransomware attacks, the Department of Health and Human Services research arm says it will invest more than $50 million in advanced healthcare cybersecurity tools.

HHS’s Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) on Monday announced a “Universal PatchinG and Remediation for Autonomous DEfense” (UPGRADE) program. The goal is to build tools that help hospitals and healthcare systems more easily find and fix cyber vulnerabilities in their systems.

In a statement, HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm said the new program would help build on the HHS cybersecurity strategy for the healthcare sector.

“We continue to see how interconnected our nation’s health care ecosystem is and how critical it is for our patients and clinical operations to be protected from cyberattacks,” Palm said. “Today’s launch is yet another example of HHS’ continued commitment to improving cyber resiliency across our health care system.”

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UPGRADE program manager Andrew Carney said a major challenge is modeling the complexities in the myriad software used in any given healthcare facility, leaving many open to ransomware attacks.

“With UPGRADE, we want to reduce the effort it takes to secure hospital equipment and guarantee that devices are safe and functional so that health care providers can focus on patient care,” Carney said in a statement.

A special notice announcing the new project details how ARPA-H envisions the new program developing a “revolutionary new cybersecurity platform for hospitals and health systems.” The idea is to help hospital IT teams manage the “massive complexity” of many health IT environments.

“UPGRADE envisions a semiautonomous cyber-threat mitigation platform that promotes proactive, scalable, and synchronized security updates, adaptable to any hospital environment, and across a wide array of the most vulnerable equipment classes,” the special notice states.

“This software platform will contain a suite of tools that enable real-time evaluation of potential vulnerabilities, and how corresponding security updates might impact hospital operations,” the notice continues. “This will empower hospital decision makers to deploy security remediations without risking the real-world operational downtime that threatens the continuity of patient care.”

ARPA-H detailed how the program will focus on four distinct technical areas, including creating the vulnerability mitigation software platform; developing “high-fidelity” digital twins of hospital systems; automatically detecting cyber vulnerabilities; and “auto-developing” custom cyber defenses.

The research agency said it plans to make multiple awards under the UPGRADE program. It will hold a proposers day on June 20.

ARPA-H’s new project comes amid sustained attention on health sector cybersecurity in the wake of the Change Healthcare ransomware attack. The February cyber incident took down the systems of the major health transactions provider, crippling the operations of hospitals and health systems across the country for weeks.

         Read more: Cybersecurity

In addition to investigating the response by United Healthcare, Change Healthcare’s parent company, lawmakers have been probing the response of HHS, which is responsible for overseeing the cybersecurity of the healthcare sector.

“We must also assess the response of the federal government, which plays a critical role in these efforts,” Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said during a May 17 Senate Finance Committee hearing on the Change Healthcare breach. “HHS has a responsibility to serve as a central hub for coordination, convening insights from other branches of government and the private sector to deploy timely information about active threats, as well as best practices to deter intrusions and resources should an attack occur.”

HHS officials say they are elevating the role of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to serve as a hub for the agency’s sector cybersecurity efforts, which span multiple components and offices.

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