While the last few smartphones introduced by Boost Mobile have been Android-powered, today the no-contract operator is switching things up a bit. Boost Mobile has announced that it plans to launch the BlackBerry Curve 9310, which will be released on July 10 for $99.99. The Curve 9310 features BlackBerry 7.1, a 3.2-megapixel camera, FM radio, Wi-Fi support and a dedicated BlackBerry Messenger key.

Along with the Curve 9310, Boost has announced a new BBM Unlimited service plan. The BBM Unlimited plan will debut alongside the Curve 9310 on July 10 and includes unlimited talk, text and BBM use (though there doesn't seem to be any mention of any cellular data allotment). The plan starts at $45 per month, but customers will see their bill shrink by $5 for every six on-time payments made, which can bring the monthly cost of the BBM Unlimited plan down to $30. Boost currently offers a BlackBerry Monthly Unlimited plan that's priced at $60 per month and includes talk, text, web (2.5GB of high-speed data) and the same shrinking payments .

Considering that the only BlackBerry currently being offered by Boost is the aging Curve 8530, it's nice to see the operator adding a new RIM smartphone to its roster. While the Curve 9310 may not be the most high-end phone in Boost's lineup, its $99.99 price tag could make the device attractive to folks in the market for a new handset that'll be easy on the wallet. Boost's full announcement of the Curve 9310 and BBM Unlimited plan is available below.

Boost Mobile to Unveil New Unlimited BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Talk & Text No-Contract Plan for as Low as $30 a Month

BBM Unlimited Plan launches with the BlackBerry Curve 9310 smartphone priced at $99.99 from Boost Mobile

BBM Unlimited Plan unveiled with the BlackBerry Curve 9310 smartphone priced at $99.99 from Boost Mobile (Photo: Business Wire)

IRVINE, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE), June 27, 2012 - Boost Mobile, a leader in the no-contract wireless industry with award-winning service plans, will introduce another industry first, BBM™ Unlimited, which features worldwide unlimited access to BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) and talk and text with payments that shrink to as low as $30 a month. Continuing the Boost Mobile trend of offering more choice, flexibility and value, this offer is available beginning on July 10 exclusively with the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9310 smartphone, which is launching the same day for $99.99 (excluding taxes).

BBM Unlimited Plan unveiled with the BlackBerry Curve 9310 smartphone priced at $99.99 from Boost Mobile (Photo: Business Wire)

BBM, available for all BlackBerry users worldwide, is one of the largest mobile social networks with more than 56 million active customers globally. Customers can experience real-time communications and easily chat with friends at the speed of now, with instant responses and “read” confirmations. Plus, BBM goes beyond chat with more than 1,000 BBM-connected apps available for download on BlackBerry App World™. BBM-connected applications offer a social, interactive experience that’s not available on any other smartphone platform.

“We have partnered closely with RIM to enhance the Boost Mobile line-up and launch the first-ever no-contract BlackBerry smartphone priced under $100,” said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. “This breakthrough device is matched with the most affordable BlackBerry service plan in the industry with shrinking payments and unlimited talk, text and worldwide BlackBerry Messenger.”

Similar to other monthly unlimited plans offered by Boost Mobile, the $45 BBM Unlimited plan provides customers the opportunity to be rewarded for simply making on-time payments. For every six on-time payments, customers will see their monthly payment shrink by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $30 a month for unlimited nationwide talk and text and worldwide BBM access. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for these saving milestones.

BlackBerry Curve 9310 gives consumers the full power of the BlackBerry messaging and social-centric applications in the familiar BlackBerry Curve form factor. The smartphone will be available at Boost Mobile exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. It will also be available at select Best Buy locations next month.

Messaging on BlackBerry Curve 9310 is made easy with a full QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad. In addition to real-time chat with BBM, customers can share large multimedia files (up to 6MB), including pictures, voice notes, calendar entries and locations. The smartphone is also Wi-Fi® enabled, giving users the opportunity to enjoy unlimited data. Key smartphone features include:

Dedicated BlackBerry Messenger key

Text and email (supports Yahoo!®, Gmail® and Hotmail®)

3.2MP camera with flash

Speedy Web browsing

BlackBerry® 7.1 OS

Access to thousands of apps and games on BlackBerry App World™

Easy Access to Facebook®, MySpace™, Twitter®, YouTube® and more

Stereo Bluetooth® support

Wi-Fi and GPS1 enabled

Built-in FM radio

Great battery life (up to eight hours talk time or 18 days standby; up to 70 hours of music playback with headphones)

About Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile, one of Sprint’s prepaid brands and recently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as “Highest Ranked in Purchase Experience Among Non-Contract Wireless Providers,” offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts. Boost Mobile redefines value for wireless consumers with its Monthly Unlimited with Shrinking Payments no-contract service, where the longer you stay the less you pay with on-time payments for unlimited voice, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Boost Mobile offers nationwide service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 281 million people, and on the Nextel National Network, reaching more than 281 million people, with no activation or long-distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from LG, Motorola, Research In Motion (RIM), Samsung, Sanyo and ZTE, ranging from entry-level to Android™ smartphone devices available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Family Dollar, Walgreens and Walmart, Sprint retail stores, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network. Re-Boost® Cards are available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

1 Service available with the $60 BlackBerry Monthly Unlimited Plan