Boost Mobile Introduces Retro Fashion to Cell Phone Design; Limited Edition Motorola i860 Phone from Boost Mobile Aimed at Young Trendsetters Seeking Vintage Style

Business Wire, Jan 24, 2005

IRVINE, Calif. -- Boost Mobile(TM), a lifestyle-based telecommunications brand that develops and distributes wireless communications products for the youth market, has introduced retro-fashion to the U.S. wireless phone market with the launch of the limited edition i860 handset by Motorola. Offered exclusively from Boost Mobile, the new phone combines nostalgic wood-grain design details with the latest mobile phone technology, including a 4x digital zoom camera and video recorder, high-resolution internal and external color display with picture caller ID and Multimedia Messaging.

"We tested numerous mobile phone concepts and the wood-grain design really stood out," said Neil Lindsay, vice president of product development, Boost Mobile. "It made us think of classic surfboards, old school cars with wood paneling, and 1970s retro wood and wood grain style - all things nostalgic. We knew it wouldn't be for everyone, but then Boost customers are not like everyone else. It seems to us that they like to live a bit larger and louder than the rest of the crowd."

Designed to appeal to young trendsetters seeking vintage style and individuality, the phone is available now exclusively from BoostMobile.com, and will begin selling at specialty youth fashion retailers next month for a suggested retail price of $499. As with all Boost Mobile phones, the limited edition i860 handset by Motorola includes Boost Walkie-Talkie(TM), which offers Nextel's popular Nationwide Direct Connect(SM) as a pay-as-you-go service. Boost Walkie-Talkie is $1.50 per day for unlimited national usage, and the charge applies only when the service is used.

The Motorola i860 phone also features picture caller ID; preloaded Java(TM) games such as the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf wireless game featuring some of the world's top surfers; wallpapers and polyphonic and voice ringtones, including Boost's exclusive "Anthem" track by Kanye West, Ludacris and The Game; hands-free speakerphone, and voice-activated dialing.

Boost i860 users may further customize the phone with wallpapers, ringtones and games available from Boost LIVE - Boost's ever-growing catalog of wireless entertainment content. Boost Mobile customers select the applications they want on Boost LIVE and then purchase them over the air directly from their Boost Mobile pay-as-you-go phone using existing call credits. Applications have a one-time, unlimited use fee that varies in price from $1.49 to $6.49.

The limited edition Motorola i860 phone from Boost offers the following additional features:

--High-resolution internal and external color display

--Nationwide digital cellular and Boost Walkie-Talkie service

--One Touch Walkie-Talkie with dedicated push-to-talk key

--Multimedia messaging and text messaging

--Hands-free speakerphone with voice-activated dialing

--Preloaded and downloadable games, screensavers, wallpaper

--Preloaded and downloadable polyphonic and voice ringtones

--MP3 ringtone support

--Boost(TM) Wireless Web access

--GPS-enabled

--Up to 165 minutes talk time (high-performance battery)

--Up to 65 hours standby time (high-performance battery)

--$10 call credit included

About Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile, an Irvine-based division of Nextel Communications (NASDAQ:NXTL), is a provider of quality wireless telecommunications products and services that have gained a zealous following due to Boost's brand recognition and popularity among today's youth. Boost Mobile's unique marketing approach blends action sports, music, fashion and entertainment to reach young consumers in twelve U.S. markets where Boost(TM) wireless service is currently offered. Boost is the only wireless service provider to offer any true service differentiation by making Nextel's Nationwide Direct Connect(SM) available as a pay-as-you-go feature. Boost Mobile offers Boost-branded wireless phones, its signature Boost(TM) Walkie-Talkie service and Re-Boost(TM) Pay-As-You-Go cards at retail locations where youth prefer to shop, including national retail and convenience stores, and merchants that focus on fashion, music, and action sports-related activities. Boost resonates with its consumers through strategic partnerships with leading youth lifestyle brands such as Quiksilver, Roxy, DUB, AND1 and others. Experience Boost on the Web at www.boostmobile.com.