Cricket Wireless Reaches 12.4 Million Subscriber Milestone and Revs Up Plans Giving Customers Access to the Fast Lane

ATLANTA, Oct. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- What's the news? Cricket Wireless announced today it has grown the #CricketNation to 12.4 million subscribers, an increase of more than 2 million subscribers in 2 years, and has tuned up its rate plans, removing the 8Mbps speed caps on its $30, $40 and $55/mo. plans and adding 5G network access on all plans¹. Cricket is part of the AT&T Prepaid Portfolio. AT&T has been the fastest growing prepaid carrier in the United States since 2019. It serves more than 19 million total prepaid subscribers and had near record-low churn in the third quarter of 2021.

While this is a major company milestone, it represents something more significant to John Dwyer, president of Cricket Wireless.

"The last two years have been challenging for people. During this unprecedented time, when in-person contact has been limited, we all have relied on our wireless devices to keep us connected to the people, things and experiences that matter most. Through it all, we have quietly been focused on taking care of our customers—giving new ones a reason to make the switch to Cricket and giving our existing customers reasons to stay.  We are proud of our subscriber growth and remain committed to earning the loyalty of our customers every day."

What's new with Cricket's rate plans? We're making our plans even better, giving customers more by:

• Including 5G access on all plans, which means existing customers on our current rate plans can enjoy access to the 5G network¹ for just $25/mo. per line with 4 lines of service²
• Removing the 8Mbps speed cap on our $30/mo., $40/mo. and $55/mo.³ plans.  

What does Cricket offer that's different than others?  Well, we try to do it differently than other prepaid companies. Here's how:

Value-added services that give that something extra:

• Ad-supported tier of HBO Max ⁴ included in our $60/month unlimited plan.
• First-year FREE Sam's Club membership⁵ for customers on our $60/month unlimited plan.
• FREE subscription to Bark Jr Parental Controls app⁶ that helps families navigate the digital world and keep kids safer online.
• Easy, Smart Investing with Acorns where Cricket customers who sign up for a new Acorns account, and invest $5, will receive a $10 investment bonus in their Acorns Invest account.⁷ For every month their wireless service is paid, Cricket will invest $1 into their Acorn account.
• Offers Emergency Broadband Benefit⁸ (EBB), a temporary federal government program that provides eligible customers a benefit of up to $50/month, or up to $75/mo. on Tribal lands, on eligible Cricket service. That makes our top unlimited plan just $10/month after the benefit is applied.

Helping communities we serve:  For more than 20 years, we've made it our mission to give back to the local communities who support us – through our many Authorized Retailers that operate the Cricket stores across the country and our support of local organizations and projects. We also support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) sports and music programs and work with non-profits like the Boys & Girls Club of America to support and inspire youth.

¹ Cricket 5G requires a compatible device and is not available everywhere. See cricketwireless.com/map for coverage details

² $55/mo. Cricket Core required on four lines. $30 discount on second line, $45 discount each on third & fourth lines, all on same account. Add'l fees, usage & restr's apply.

³ On the $55/mo. unlimited plan: Cricket may temporarily slow speeds during network congestion. Video streaming limited to standard definition.

⁴ Video streaming on the $60/mo. unlimited plan is limited to standard definition. Online account required for HBO Max access. HBO Max is used under license. See cricketwireless.com/plans for details

⁵ Offer Ends 1/6/2022. After 1 year, Sam's Club membership renews at minimum $45/year unless you cancel. New Sam's Club members only. Redemption required. Activation fee (in-store $25/line), terms & rest's apply.

 ⁶Bark Parental Controls. Bark Premium discounted rate is available for new Bark customers only. After 12 months, Bark Premium renews at the prevailing rate (currently $14/mo.) unless you cancel.

⁷Requires min. $30 Cricket purchase. Investment Bonus applied within 60 days of $5 initial investment. Terms and Conditions apply, see acorns.com/cricket for details. 

⁸ The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a temporary emergency government benefit program operated by the Federal Communications Commission. The benefit is not transferable. Only eligible consumers may enroll in the program and the benefit is limited to one monthly benefit per household on a qualifying mobile broadband service plan. Cricket reserves the right to cancel the monthly benefit at any time. If your monthly service charge is $0 after the benefit, you must use the service each month, or the benefit will be discontinued. Eligible Cricket Wireless Service: $60/mo. Cricket More, $55/mo. Cricket Core, $55/mo. Simply Data.

About Cricket Wireless
Cricket is focused on inspiring smiles, one meaningful connection at a time. We offer an easy and high-quality wireless experience on our reliable nationwide network. Our affordable, straightforward service plans include monthly taxes and don't require an annual contract. Our customers also enjoy basic to top-brand phones at affordable prices.

Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. Investment advisory services provided by Acorns Advisers, LLC ("Acorns"), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Brokerage services are provided to clients of Acorns by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. Securities in your account are protected up to $500,000. For details, please see www.sipc.org. Investments are not FDIC insured and may lose value. Please consider your objectives, risk tolerance, and Acorns' fees before investing. Acorns reserves the right to restrict or revoke any and all offers at any time. Screen images are simulated and subject to change. Round-Up investments are transferred from your linked funding source (checking account) to your Acorns Invest account, where the funds are invested into a portfolio of selected ETFs. Round-Up investments from an external account, will be processed when your Pending Round-Ups reach or exceed $5. Round-Up investments from Acorns Checking accounts will be processed on an ongoing basis if the Round-Ups setting is set to automatic. Please consider your objectives, risk tolerance, and Acorns' fees before investing. A properly suggested portfolio recommendation is dependent upon current and accurate financial and risk profiles. 

SOURCE Cricket Wireless