Advice Needed: Poor Reception with Boost Prepaid SIM - 365 Days Plan

AmorPax on 10/03/2025 - 19:53
Last edited 10/03/2025 - 21:03 by 1 other user

Hi all, I hope you're doing well. I'm seeking advice from the community regarding my Boost prepaid SIM card - 365 days plan ($255). I recently switched to Boost due to its competitive pricing and overall coverage.

However, I've been experiencing poor reception in my home and suburb, particularly with data speeds. At home, my connection is often so weak that speed tests fail with the error: "Test failed to complete. Check your internet connection and try again." When it does work, I typically get only 2-3 Mbps. Other family members with Optus, they have no such issue.

I've reached out to both Level 1 and Level 2 support, but they were unable to resolve the issue. This is particularly frustrating because I sometimes need to use my phone as a hotspot when my NBN is under maintenance or experiencing issues.

Would it be reasonable to request a refund? Has anyone else had a similar experience? I’d appreciate any insights you can share.

Thanks in advance!

Mobile SIM Card

Related Stores

Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

Comments

  • AngoraFish on 10/03/2025 - 20:07
    +6

    Sounds like you have better line of sight to an Optus tower.

    Get a SIM from a company that uses the Optus network and write it off to experience.

    We've all been there on one side or another. Only you can know what works best for you.

    • AmorPax on 10/03/2025 - 20:25
      +2

      Thanks! Since it's a 365-day plan and I activated it just three days ago, but the support team hasn't been able to help, should I request a refund?

      • AngoraFish on 10/03/2025 - 21:24
        +3

        There's no harm trying, but they're not required to provide you with one.

      • Gabbatron44 on 11/03/2025 - 16:18
        +1

        Absolutely ask for a refund. You've done the right thing by getting technical support first and now since the tech options has been exhausted. You can ask for a refund because it can’t be used for its normal purpose.

    • Dr Phil on 11/03/2025 - 09:19
      -1

      Yep
      OP could be in a Telstra black hole.
      Better Australia-wide coverage doesnt mean better coverage everywhere.

      One should always test different networks in a specific area before committing
      Its fairly obvious Optus is the winner at OPs location.
      Possibly Vodafone as well

      And YES, Op would be entitled to a refund

      • rowanb1 on 11/03/2025 - 16:43

        Are you replying to the original post or this comment? If the latter, it makes no sense.

  • Xyzzy on 10/03/2025 - 20:34
    +3

    Who were you with before Boost?
    I think Boost have a 30 day money back guarantee - so worth asking for a refund if it's not working for you.

    • AmorPax on 10/03/2025 - 20:43

      Thanks. I was previously with Catch, which uses the Optus network.

      Should I switch to another provider first before requesting a refund? I don’t want to risk losing my number if I request a refund right away

  • itoyjobed on 10/03/2025 - 21:14
    +13

    I always try out a sim first for 30 days before committing for a 365 day plan

  • Geekomatic on 10/03/2025 - 21:27
    -2

    If it's your network, then you need to get your money back (pain!).

    Otherwise, remove the SIM, use an eraser on the contacts to clean & then a bit of rubbing alcohol to fully rinse. Once alcohol evaps, place the SIM back and see. It's funny how many contacts on items are the issue. But if not, you're left with a return of that SIM & 365. A shame— I've been w/Boost for years, always the best coverage here in rural WA.

    • Dr Phil on 11/03/2025 - 09:21
      +1

      Not necessary

      This usually only applies to old SIMs

      OP's SIM is brand new!

      But wouldnt be a bad idea to ask for a replacement SIM in case the one OP got is somehow at fault.

      Im surprised that Boost didnt suggest that

  • bazingaa on 10/03/2025 - 22:49
    +2

    are you on 4G or 5G ? Boost is full Telstra and owned by them as well, can't imagine a place with such bad Telstra coverage.

    • p1 ama on 11/03/2025 - 01:12
      +4

      Boost is full Telstra and owned by them as well, can't imagine a place with such bad Telstra coverage

      Since when did everyone start meatriding Telstra? They used to be one of the most disliked companies in Australia (along with Qantas, and the like).

      Telstra's network is horrendously bad in certain areas. In many places around the capital cities, Telstra's speeds are far below Optus and Vodafone due to network congestion with most of the corporate phones being on the Telstra network. For example, my Telstra work phone gets around 50 Mbps down in the CBD, whereas my Vodafone personal phone can get around 200 Mbps down in the same place. Telstra has also been really bad with getting towers in new developments, many new estates have great Optus and Vodafone coverage, but almost no Telstra coverage.

      The only metric by which Telstra is consistently the best is in network coverage, which mostly applies to rural and remote areas. Many people extrapolate this to mean that Telstra has the "best network", which in many metropolitan areas, is definitely not true.

      There are independent tests which highlight some of what I'm referring to: https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2024/04/australia/mobile-… - summary is that (like I mentioned above), the only area where Telstra is best are the network coverage tests. If you're in a capital city, or metropolitan area, it really just depends on which cell towers are closest. If you have roughly the same signal from all 3, then usually Vodafone will have the fastest speeds (due to least network congestion), which is also reported on in the test.

      • Quarter Pounder on 12/03/2025 - 23:07

        i've found optus to be best overall, metro and regional in sydney. Telstras 12 PBCH power b28 sites just don't cut it anymore when optus is doing 21 power. Telstra is also prone to congestion in most cities, due to limited NR and LTE spectrum, and ineffective use of n7 (where it has been refarmed).

        If you have roughly the same signal from all 3, then usually Vodafone will have the fastest speeds (due to least network congestion), which is also reported on in the test.

        Not necessarily, depends on spectrum allocations too. Vodafone in Sydney/Melbourne only really deploy 60mhz TDD NR + 15mhz n28 (fdd). This when using nokia for their vendor can make their performance not great compared to the other two, who use Ericsson. In brisbane/perth and adelaide, vodafone have better TDD NR spectrum holdings, so that could be why.

  • plmko on 10/03/2025 - 23:50
    +2

    Can't believe none of the above have asked the simple question: what phone are you using?

    Without Tesltra specific bands and compatibility it will be a shit service. Stick to Vodafone/Optus if that is the case.

  • Porker on 11/03/2025 - 01:27
    +1

    I moved from Optus to Boost and got significantly worse speeds.

    Phone coverage was good but internet speeds were like yours, being 70mbps on Optus to maybe 2 or 3 on Boost.

    Just lived with it for a year and the ported out. :(

  • Russell Dupsumtucka on 11/03/2025 - 08:18

    What types of phone?
    Was it previously locked to another provider?
    Have you tried resetting network settings? Maybe it's looking at certain fequencies that Boost doesn't use.

    • AmorPax on 12/03/2025 - 00:01

      I have done troubleshooting with Level 1 (including resetting network settings) and Level 2 support but have still not been able to find a solution.

  • saltypete on 11/03/2025 - 09:17
    +1

    Not sure what phone you have, but compared to some other brands iPhones dont pick up signal so well.
    I have an s22ultra, wife iPhone 14pro. When travelling she often has to hotspot off mine to get enough signal. We were on Boost and now on Kogan. Both the same.

  • pwbargain on 11/03/2025 - 11:24

    Yes, was previously with Optus, signal strength and speed lower on Boost/Telstra. I'm in Brunswick, VIC. When I'm out and about it's mostly the same as Optus was, and possibly better in the country areas. iPhone 11 Pro Max.

  • ode1online on 11/03/2025 - 11:32
    +3

    If you are using 5G I'd try 4G in Preferred network type.. as suggested,

    https://boost.com.au/pages/coverage

  • Hulk2 on 11/03/2025 - 13:19
    +1

    Amaysim uses Optus. If you don’t get decent enough reception with Boost then you should be able to ask for a refund. Consumers guarantee act is applicable for services as well I assume.

  • qtr pounder on 11/03/2025 - 23:02

    Does the Boost coverage map say you should have good coverage at your location?

    • AmorPax on 11/03/2025 - 23:58

      Yes, it says there is 4G and 5G coverage in my area, but in reality, the coverage is not the same.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join