walkie-talkie faqs

What is Boost® Walkie-Talkie?

Boost® Walkie-Talkie is a digital radio service that allows you to communicate instantly at the touch of a button. Use it to connect with friends with Boost or Nextel service down the street, across the country and international locations such as Canada and Mexico.

How do I use Boost® Walkie-Talkie?

On your phone:

1. Enter the Boost® Walkie-Talkie number of the person you are trying to call
2. Hit Alert to notify the person you are contacting that you want to start a walkie-talkie conversation
3. Press and hold the Boost® Walkie-Talkie Button on the side of the phone
4. A beeping sound alerts the recipient until the call is answered, queued or cleared
5. Release the Boost® Walkie-Talkie Button to listen
6. Press the Boost® Walkie-Talkie Button to talk.

How much does it cost?

Unlimited Boost® Walkie-Talkie costs $1/day to connect anywhere in the Boost® Walkie-Talkie Nationwide Coverage Area. Additional rates apply when using the service internationally. Charges apply when you either make or receive a Boost® Walkie-Talkie call. If you are a Monthly Unlimited subscriber, unlimited walkie-talkie is included.

Can I use Boost® Walkie-Talkie with anyone?

You can contact any Boost or Nextel customer on the iDEN network as long as you have their Boost or Nextel walkie-talkie number. You must also have enough available call credits in your balance.

How do I receive a Boost® Walkie-Talkie call?

When you receive a Boost® Walkie-Talkie call your phone makes a beeping sound and 'Private in Use' displays on the screen. The Boost® Walkie-Talkie (Private ID) or the name of the caller (if stored in your Contacts) will show.

You can then choose to answer, queue or clear it. To answer the call press the Boost® Walkie-Talkie Button and begin talking after the phone makes a beeping sound. To listen, release the Boost® Walkie-Talkie Button; to end or decline the call, hit 'Clear'.

If you're receiving a Boost® Walkie-Talkie call and you don�t want to answer it right away, you can choose to queue the call by selecting "queue." They will just temporarily be saved on the 'Call Alert Queue' list until you call them back.

How do I find my Boost® Walkie-Talkie number?

You can check your User Guide for instructions or follow these steps on your phone:

1. Press the 'Menu' key
2. Scroll to 'My Info'
3. Select 'walkie-talkie'?

Is my Boost® Walkie-Talkie number different from my mobile?

Yes. You get two different numbers when you activate a Boost Mobile phone. One is your personal telephone number (PTN) and the other is your ten-digit Boost® Walkie-Talkie number.

Example Phone number: (310)555-1212
Example walkie-talkie number: 555*555*5555

How can I use it without other people hearing?

Depending on the model phone you have there are ways to keep your conversations private. You can use your phone's earpiece by turning the speakerphone off or use an optional audio earpiece instead of having the conversation over the speakerphone. Check your User Guide to locate the speakerphone option on your particular handset.

Where can I use Boost® international walkie-talkie?

You can use walkie-talkie anywhere within the Boost® Walkie-Talkie Nationwide Coverage Area and certain coverage areas in Canada, Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Mexico. Roaming is only currently available in Canada and the following details apply:

1. Boost customers who live in the U.S. can walkie-talkie Nextel and Nextel International Inc. customers who live in Nextel International coverage areas. Visit www.nii.com for more information.
2. Boost customers can walkie-talkie Boost, TELUS and Nextel customers located in TELUS coverage areas. Visit www.telusmobility.com for more information.
3. Boost customers can walkie-talkie TELUS, and Nextel International Inc. and Nextel customers that are roaming in the U.S. in addition to Boost and Nextel customers.
4. Boost customers cannot use walkie-talkie while traveling to Peru, Argentina, Brazil or Mexico - excluding Baja, Mexico.