Cricket, America’s Fastest-Growing Wireless Network, Celebrates One Year in Portland
PORTLAND – December 19, 2007 – Cricket, which just celebrated its first year of wireless service in Portland, today announced that local support has been so high for Cricket’s no-contracts plans that the area has become one of the most popular markets in America’s fastest-growing wireless network. Since having access to Cricket’s unlimited wireless plans, Cricket customers have used their cell phones five times as much as customers from other carriers.
During the past 12 months, Cricket has observed several interesting trends as local customers have taken advantage of new Cricket services, from family plans and a business package to unlimited Wireless Internet. Among the trends Cricket has noticed:
• 31% of Cricket customers talk an average of 1,500 minutes per month on their cell phone, more than five times the national average
• 32% of Cricket’s customers send at least one text message per day, compared with just 12% of non-Cricket customers
• Cricket customers fall predominantly in the middle class, indicating strong demand among young professionals for a no-contract alternative to other wireless carriers
• Approximately 68 percent of Cricket customers do not have a traditional home phone service, electing to use their wireless phone as their only phone, compared to 15 percent for other wireless carriers (according to the Yankee Group)
“We knew when we launched last year that people were ready for a wireless alternative. Clearly our unlimited calling, texting and long-distance plans have struck a chord,” said Neil Grubb, president and CEO of Cricket LCW, the joint venture that operates Cricket in Oregon and southwest Washington. “It’s been a fast and productive first year, and we are eager to continue expanding our offerings so even more people have access to our no-contract services.”
Several of the wireless services Cricket plans to expand in 2008 are unique to Oregon and Southwest Washington or have made their debut here:
Cricket Family Plan: Families who want the most from their wireless plan get three unlimited lines for a flat monthly rate of $100. Two lines include unlimited talk, unlimited text and picture messaging, voicemail and caller ID, while the third line includes all of those features plus unlimited mobile Web, unlimited 411 directory assistance and unlimited service in all Cricket markets.
Cricket Wireless Internet: Unlimited mobile broadband Internet service without ever asking customers to sign a contract. Portland and Vancouver, both pilot markets for Cricket Wireless Internet, can now get unlimited high-speed Internet service for $35/month (if an existing Cricket customer) or for $40/month (if not a current Cricket customer).
Cricket for Business: For a flat rate of $50 per month, small and medium businesses can have unlimited local and long-distance calls in every Cricket market, unlimited 411 directory assistance calls with direct connect, unlimited Mobile Web access, unlimited text and picture messaging and 30 minutes per month of Nationwide Roaming for travel outside Cricket markets.
About Cricket®
Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Designed for customers whose basic and advanced wireless needs have not been met by traditional communications companies, Cricket is the pioneer of unlimited services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required. Cricket offers customers access to a variety of the latest devices and feature-rich mobile applications such as unlimited text, instant and picture messaging, Mobile Web, popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket services are offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.
About Cricket LCW
Cricket LCW is joint venture between Cricket Communications, Inc., CSM Wireless, and WLPCS Management providing Cricket® wireless service in Portland, Salem, and Eugene, OR, and Vancouver, WA. For more information on Cricket LCW, visit www.mycricketoregon.com.
