- Cricket Wireless
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Cricket Wireless 
Type Private (subsidiary of Leap Wireless) Industry Wireless Telecommunications Founded 1999 Headquarters San Diego, CA, United States Area served United States Website mycricket.com Cricket Communications, Inc. founded in 1999, also known as Cricket Wireless, provides wireless services to 7 million customers in the United States.[1] The company is a subsidiary of Leap Wireless, utilizing its CDMA 1X and 1xEV-DO networks. Leap Wireless owns and operates the seventh largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, behind Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel (including Boost Mobile & Virgin Mobile USA), T-Mobile USA, MetroPCS, and U.S. Cellular. The company recently launched the first Advanced Wireless Services network, in Oklahoma City. The company also went nationwide with roaming agreements on March 23, 2010.[2]
Contents
History
- Leap launched Cricket Wireless first market in Chattanooga, TN on March 17, 1999.[3]
- 2003: Cricket's parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.[3]
- 2004: Cricket's parent company emerged from bankruptcy.[4]
- May 5, 2005: Cricket customers now have the option of roaming outside of their home market with "Travel Time".[5]
- September 4, 2007: Competing carrier MetroPCS announced a $5.3 billion bid to merge with Leap Wireless .[6] Leap informally rejected the bid less than two weeks later.[7] MetroPCS officially withdrew the bid less than two months later, on November 1, 2007.[8]
- December 12, 2007: Cricket agreed to acquire Hargray Communications Group's wireless telecommunications business.[10]
- April 8, 2008: Cricket launched in Oklahoma City, the first Advanced Wireless Services market in the United States.[11]
- September 29, 2008: Cricket announced that they had entered into a 10 year roaming agreement with MetroPCS covering both companies' existing and future markets. The companies also entered into a spectrum exchange agreement covering licenses in certain markets, (with Leap acquiring an additional 10 MHz of spectrum in San Diego, Fresno, Seattle and certain other Washington and Oregon markets, and MetroPCS acquiring an additional 10 MHz of spectrum in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Shreveport-Bossier City, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida and certain other North Texas markets). The companies said that they have settled all outstanding litigation between them[12]
- November 13, 2008: Cricket launched "Premium Extended Coverage", a roaming partnership with 14 wireless companies to provide Cricket customers with a larger unlimited cellular footprint.[13]
- February 2009: Cricket launches in Chicago. Making it the biggest market to ever launch since Cricket was formed in 1999.[citation needed]
- March 10, 2009: Cricket launches in the Philadelphia market, including suburbs such as Atlantic City, NJ and Wilmington, DE, with a market total of 6.3 million POPs.[14]
- April 22, 2009: Cricket launches phone recycling program.[14]
- June 23, 2009: Cricket launches in the Washington, DC and Baltimore markets[14]
- August, 2009: Leap announces quarter 2 reports of 203,000 net customer additions and now have about 4.5 million customers.[14]
- August 19, 2009: Cricket looking for federal grant for wireless broadband.[14]
- September 3, 2009: Cricket introduces durable MOTO VE465.[14]
- September 4, 2009: Merger talk starting back up for Leap, MetroPCS and rumored about AT&T Mobility .[14]
- September 4, 2009: Cricket testing 10GB broadband plan.[14]
- September 17, 2009: Cricket to integrate monthly plans into PAYGo.[14]
- September 23, 2009: Cricket releases low-priced CAPTR.[14]
- September 28, 2009: Cricket upgrades domain name. (mycricket.com) [14]
- October 1, 2009: Cricket PAYGo headed to Target.[14]
- October 29, 2009: Cricket adds LG Helix to handset lineup.[14]
- November 2, 2009: Cricket adds text messaging option to $1 PAYGo plan.[14]
- November 5, 2009: Cricket sees slow growth in subscribers; they added 116,000 subscribers and now have 4.65 million subscribers.[14]
- February 1, 2010: Leap announced that it was exploring a sale of the company to a larger rival. Talks have been held with Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility.[15]
- April 13, 2010: Cricket launched Cricket Navigator, a GPS application that offers audible turn-by-turn navigation, hyper-local search and maps.[16]
- August 2010: Cricket and Sprint signed a five year wholesale agreement (MVNO) that allows Cricket to utilize Sprint's 3G network throughout the U.S. As part of the agreement, Cricket made commitments to deliver minimum levels of revenues to Sprint. Cricket will offer products and services using Sprint's 3G network coverage throughout August 2015.
- July 7, 2011: Cricket hits 7 million customers, and 100k muve music subscribers
Smartphones
In 2010, Cricket announced it will debut two new smartphones to their wireless lineup. The Sanyo Zio (Zi-O) by Kyocera is Cricket and Kyocera's first Android phone. The phone runs on Cricket's 3G EVDO network, and has Wi-Fi capabilities. It currently utilizes Android 2.2. [18] which is anticipated to be available in January or February 2011. The other available smart phone is the Blackberry Curve 8530, which will work on Cricket's EVDO network.
Since the release of these phones, Cricket has added the Huawei Ascend which runs Android 2.1. It is the lowest-priced Android phone without a contract.[19] Another Android smartphone available with the telecom operator is LG Optimus C.[20] The Samsung Indulge has been available since the 7th June [21]
Current phones
Phones that are currently available from Cricket's website.
- ZTE Score (Android Smartphone)
- Samsung Suede (Muve Music)
- Samsung Transfix (Android Smartphone)
- Huawei Pillar
- Samsung Vitality (Android Smartphone)(Muve Music)
- Samsung Indulge (Android Smartphone)
- Sanyo Zio by Kyocera (Android Smartphone)
- Huawei Ascend (Android Smartphone)
- Huawei Ascend II (Android Smartphone)
- LG Optimus C (Android Smartphone)
- BlackBerry Curve 8530 (BlackBerry Smartphone)
- Samsung Messager Touch (Black or White)
- Huawei M750
- Kyocera RIO
- Kyocera Luno
- Cricket TXTM8 3G
- Cricket MSGM8 II
- Cricket CAPTR II
- Samsung Chrono
- Samsung Stunt
- Kyocera Domino
Future phones
Cricket has recently announced that it will carry one more Android smartphone later this year.
- Huawei Glory
Muve Music
Muve Music is a new service from Cricket. Powered by the Samsung Suede, the Muve Music application lets your browse and download thousands of songs. Cricket currently has contracts with Sony, Universal Music, Warner Music, and EMI. Unlimited talk, text, web, and music downloads is available for $55.00/mo.
Coverage area
Cricket subscribers are covered in about 95% of the United States using home network and roaming agreements with Sprint Nextel and MetroPCS among others, and has broadband coverage in most major metropolitan areas. 3G service uses Sprint's EVDO network.
Cricket can activate new phones for customers located outside of their home area.
Wireless internet
Cricket's (and all other wireless carriers') wireless broadband internet service does not always run at advertised speeds. Cricket's unlimited broadband internet service is not limited (i.e. there is no additional cost) even if the 2.5GB, 5GB or 7.5GB 'Limits' per monthly billing cycle are exceeded. However Cricket may reduce bandwidth if these limits are exceeded based on a 30-day usage measurement. They may also reduce bandwidth slightly during times of high demand in any particular area.
See also
- Leap Wireless Parent Company
- MetroPCS A cell phone provider and partner with a similar business model.
- Pocket Communications A regional operator competing with Cricket in Southern Texas.
- Revol Wireless A regional operator similar in concept to Cricket and operating on parts of its networks.
References
- ^ "Company Information | Cricket Wireless". Mycricket.com. http://www.mycricket.com/learn/company-information. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ "Cricket expands network to cover more of the country". Prepaid Reviews. 2010-03-23. http://www.prepaidreviews.com/blog/cricket/cricket-expands-network-to-cover-more-of-the-country-36046/. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ a b "About". Leap Wireless. http://www.leapwireless.com/l1_about_leap.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ "Leap Wireless - Media Relations - Press Release" (Press release). Phx.corporate-ir.net. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=191722&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=721646&highlight=. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ "Wireless Phone Services | Wireless Communications | Leap Wireless - Press Releases". Mycricket.com. http://www.mycricket.com/press/press-release/Cricket-Launches-Travel-Time-. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ Humer, Caroline (2007-09-04). "MetroPCS bids $5.3 billion for Leap Wireless". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUSN0439256020070904. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Leap Rejects MetroPCS Merger Offer". TheStreet.com. 2007-09-16. http://www.thestreet.com/newsanalysis/techtelecom/10379784.html. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Dano, Mike (2007-11-01). "Metro ditches bid for Leap". RCR Wireless News. http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071101/FREE/71101006/1002/rss01. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Leap Wireless - Media Relations - Press Release" (Press release). Phx.corporate-ir.net. 2007-09-17. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=191722&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1051904&highlight=. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ "Leap Wireless - Media Relations - Press Release" (Press release). Phx.corporate-ir.net. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=191722&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1205151&highlight=. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ "Leap Wireless - Media Relations - Press Release" (Press release). Phx.corporate-ir.net. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=191722&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1123363&highlight=. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ "Leap Wireless - Media Relations - Press Release" (Press release). Phx.corporate-ir.net. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=191722&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1203113&highlight=. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ "Leap Wireless - Media Relations - Press Release" (Press release). Phx.corporate-ir.net. 2008-11-13. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=191722&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1226044&highlight=. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Cricket Wireless News and Coverage". Prepaid Reviews. http://www.prepaidreviews.com/blog/category/cricket/. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ Mccracken, Jeffrey; Sheth, Niraj (February 2, 2010). "Leap Wireless Seeks a Buyer". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204575039540686432982.html.
- ^ "Cricket Launches New Navigation Solution". Business Wire. 2010-04-20. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100420005670&newsLang=en. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ Kyocera Rio E3100 Coming Soon!, PhoneWebZ
- ^ Motorola il iDEN (2010-08-21). "Android-powered Sanyo ZIO by Kyocera now available on Cricket". Intomobile.com. http://www.intomobile.com/2010/08/21/android-powered-sanyo-zio-by-kyocera-now-available-on-cricket/. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ "prepaid smart phones | smartphones | Cricket Wireless". Mycricket.com. http://www.mycricket.com/smartphones. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ Gaurav Shukla (2011-10-06). "Cricket Wireless launches LG Optimus C for USD 130". AndroidOS.in. http://androidos.in/2011/03/cricket-wireless-launches-lg-optimus-c-for-usd-130/. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ Cha, Bonnie (2011-06-07). "Samsung Indulge now available at Cricket Wireless | Android Atlas - CNET Reviews". Reviews.cnet.com. http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20069670-251.html. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- Prepaid Reviews Blog Cricket [1]
External links
- Cricket Communications
- Leap Wireless
- Unofficial Cricket Wireless User Forum - CricketUsers.com
- Prepaid Reviews
- CricKetNation on Twitter
- CricKetWireless on Facebook
- My CricKet Adviser Q&A forum
US mobile network operators National Super-regional Minor-regional Alaska Wireless · Cellcom Wireless · Cellular One · Cincinnati Bell · i wireless · Immix · nTelos · Pocket Wireless · Revol Wireless · SouthernLINC Wireless · West Central WirelessVirtual 7-Eleven · Assurance Wireless · Boost · Consumer · Hawaiian · I-wireless · Jitterbug · Kajeet · KDDI · Liberty · Lucky · MOSH · Movida · Page Plus · Net10 · Simple Mobile · TracFone Wireless · Tru · Straight Talk · Trumpet · Virgin Mobile · NTT DOCOMO USADefunct AirTouch · Amp'd Mobile · AT&T Wireless Services · Common Cents Mobile · Disney Mobile · Dobson Cellular · Edge Wireless · Helio · Jump Mobile · Midwest Wireless · Nextel Communications · Northcoast PCS · Powertel · PrimeCo · Rural Cellular · SunCom · Unicel · Upoc Networks · Voce · Western Wireless CorporationCategories:- Mobile phone companies of the United States
- Companies based in San Diego, California
- Companies established in 1999
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