Introduction:
The T-mobile’s older CDMA network is shutting down with no sign of delay insight. Boost mobile users are looking for new 4G devices. And the company has launched a very affordable option: Wiko Ride 3. The current price of the device is $34.99. But its retail value is $99.99. It is noticeable that the promotional price applies to only existing customers. Therefore the new customers will have to pay the retail value for the same device. The CDMA network shutdown may cause many Boost customers to lose their old devices.
How Boost finalized the price for the mobile to leverage its marketing:
The same users may also start using a new carrier. To overcome this the company has offered this incentive for existing users. Moreover, any user who switches from another carrier gets the mobile practically for free.
Features that come with the Boost $35 Mobile phone:
It is common to find a phone at these rates. But generally, such devices are often refurbished and run an older operating system. The Ride 3 stands out with Android 11 right out of the box. Other specifications include 6.09 inch 720 p screen, 13-megapixel main camera, and a 3400 mAh battery.
The Dish network acquired Boost mobile as a part of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger deal. Boost mobile operates on T-Mobile networks. This includes the old 3G-CDMA network that many users still rely on. T-Mobile plans to shut this network down by the beginning of 2022.
An “Anti-Competitive” move:
Dish contends that the shutdown may happen earlier than expected. It is being called an anti-competitive move where the users will be left without services. T-mobile is being accused of trying to poach these customers in the process. Dish network has contacted federal and state governments for delaying the shutdown. In the meantime, it looks like it will stock up on low-cost options for customers who may soon require a new 4G device.
Dish Network sent a letter to FCC:
Dish Network presents a letter to Federal Communications Commissions to highlight the network shut down issue. It says, “We believe that T-Mobile’s actions raise significant competition and public interest concerns”. There are over 9 million subscribers of the service and more than half of them use CDMA.
They offer prepaid services to low-income customers. The users are not required to perform a credit card check to have the service. The users can pay for the service at retailers like Walmart and top up as per the requirement.
How the cost and the contract are prohibitive:
It is definitely an appealing service since the cost and contract are prohibitive. But this is what makes the migration to a new network challenging. Boost customers are not necessarily registered with the company through an email. Moreover, the users using old devices cannot afford a new phone. In less than a year’s time, the users will have to either lose their service or purchase a new phone. Looking at the pandemic it is not a good time for customers to invest in a new device. The network shutdown has come earlier than anticipated. This is the reason why the company is being called anti-competitive.
Conclusion:
T-Mobile does not agree with this. It is not violating the agreement technically. According to the company’s perspective, it had already warned the Dish network well in advance. Therefore T-mobile does not agree when Dish network accuses the company of network shutdown.
