Leap's Cricket Communications Launches its first 4G Network in Arizona

U.S. wireless carrier Cricket Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Leap Wireless, has launched 4G service in the state of Arizona, marking the beginning of its transition from 3G network to high speed 4G LTE.

With this launch, Cricket has become the fourth wireless operator in the United States to offer LTE service. The other carriers to offer LTE networks are AT&T, MetroPCS, and Verizon Wireless.

According to Leap, Cricket's 4G speeds range from 5 to 10 times faster than the carrier's current 3G data speeds. Cricket has not yet introduced a 4G handset. The first LTE device is a Huawei Boltz modem, which Cricket will sell at its stores at a price of $149.00. Cricket says the transition may last several years.

Doug Hutcheson, president and CEO of Leap, which is based in San Diego, Calif., is quoted in a company press release as saying, "The introduction of Cricket 4G LTE in Tucson as our first commercial market is an early milestone in our transition to LTE," said

4G LTE is the fastest network technology delivering data at incredibly fast speeds. More than 90 percent of Cricket's Tucson market footprint will be covered by the new 4G LTE network and further expansion is planned for nearby Nogales, Ariz. in 2012.

At launch, 4G LTE service will be accessible via mobile broadband services via the Huawei Boltz (E 397) modem, which according to the company features a lightweight, sleek design, and whose integrated installation software allows quick and easy set-up. The modem has a hinge and pivots to any USB 2.0 configuration and has a microSD slot for up to 32GB additional memory storage. The Boltz is backwards compatible with Cricket 3G networks for use in non-4G Cricket markets.

Cricket's LTE device roadmap is expected to grow steadily from modems to smartphones and ultimately other devices such as tablets. Tucson customers can select from two 4G LTE monthly service plans each providing up to 5GB of data per month. The $50 plan offers download speeds of up to 3Mbps and the $60 plan offers download speeds up to 6Mbps.