Boost to offer $50 unlimited cellular plan on Sprint network; BlackBerry phone will be option

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Boost widens reach of $50 unlimited phone service

IRVINE, Calif. — Boost Mobile, a prepaid cell service sold by Sprint Nextel, says it will start offering its $50 per month unlimited calling plan on the Sprint network. That network has wider coverage and much higher data speeds than the Nextel network used by other Boost phones.

Boost introduced the $50 unlimited plan on the Nextel network a year ago, launching a price war with prepaid rivals Leap Wireless International Inc., MetroPCS Communications Inc. and T-Mobile USA.

Starting this month, Boost will be selling three phones for the Sprint network, including the BlackBerry Curve 8830 for $250 without a contract. Since the BlackBerry requires data access, unlimited service will cost $60 per month rather than $50.

(This version corrects timing of new phones. Only one will be sold this week. The rest come later in the month.)