Cricket Expands 3G Coverage in Chicagoland Area

CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket Communications Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services, continues to expand its 3G coverage with nearly 4,000 square miles of new 3G coverage on the western and southern edge of Chicago. The expanded coverage delivers on Cricket's commitment to provide nationwide 3G service through its nationwide network.

Cricket's new Chicagoland coverage will mean fewer dropped calls, faster data transmission and improved customer experience for Cricket customers in the following areas of Illinois and northwest Indiana: Freeport, Rochelle and areas surrounding Rockford, IL; De Motte, Lowell, Rensselaer, Braidwood, Wilmington and areas east and west of Kankakee, IN.

The enhanced coverage should increase satisfaction for existing customers bordering these communities, as well as road warriors across the Chicagoland area during their commutes and weekend excursions. Cricket's True Rate coverage plans provide seamless coverage across the nation without the worry or expense of roaming and overage fees.

"We understand how important it is for our customers to be able to use their mobile devices anytime, anywhere," said Al King, Area Vice President, Cricket. "This enhancement of our network ensures that our Chicago area customers will be covered virtually anywhere they go."

Cricket customers can simply dial *228 on their Cricket phone to begin enjoying the enhanced network capabilities. To see a map of Cricket's 3G coverage around the Chicagoland area, visit http://www.mycricket.com/coverage/maps/wireless.

Cricket offers customers nationwide unlimited wireless services at a predictable flat rate, and does not require long term contracts or credit checks. Cricket owns and operates its own 3G wireless network in Chicago, at a fraction of the price of the major providers. Cricket products and services are available today at multiple distribution points and dealers around the Chicagoland area, including 21 Cricket full-service retail stores, online at www.mycricket.com or by calling 800-922-9169.

About Cricket®

Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving more than 5 million customers in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Cricket offers wireless voice and broadband Internet services over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital 3G CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Cricket's nationwide wireless voice service plans include unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited Mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance, as well as a variety of calling features and feature-rich mobile applications such as popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. Cricket Broadband provides unlimited Internet access anywhere within Cricket's coverage areas at speeds comparable to DSL. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.

SOURCE Cricket