Wifi Revolution

San Diego-based Leap Wireless International, Inc. reportedly has struck roaming agreements with 14 wireless operators that will give the customers of its mobile arm Cricket Communications unlimited access nationwide.

 

The strategic roaming partnerships, according to Leap, provide Cricket customers unlimited usage in an area stretching from New York to California and from Wisconsin to Texas.

 

In other words, Cricket customers who subscribe to the wireless company’s $50 monthly rate plan will be able to make unlimited calls while in Los Angeles; Sacramento; San Francisco; Jacksonville, Florida; Miami; Orlando; Atlanta; Indianapolis; Detroit; Columbus; Cleveland; Toledo, Ohio; Dallas; and Green Bay, Wisconsin, without incurring any roaming charges.

 

According to Doug Hutcheson, Leap’s president and CEO, the so-called “Premium Extended Coverage” gives Cricket customers the advantage of the largest unlimited roaming coverage area of any low cost, unlimited carrier.

 

“This is a great added value for our customers since they now have unlimited calling in major metropolitan areas where they might visit for work or pleasure,” Hutcheson said.

 

Customers with other rate plans can pay an additional $5 per month for the expanded coverage area, Leap said. The unlimited calling area, however, does not apply to Cricket’s broadband or PAYGo products.

 

PEC provides Cricket customers with unlimited talk across partner coverage areas without incurring roaming charges. Leap’s joint ventures now operate in 29 states and hold licenses in 35 of the top 50 U.S. markets.

 

The company has been on the expansion mode, as it has nabbed 156,000 new subscribers in the last quarter, and 92,000 of those were in new markets launched in 2008. Leap competes with AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile (News - Alert), and Sprint, but its main competitor is MetroPCS, which also offers flat-rate cell services.

 

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