Leap Wireless, which emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2004, has been moving aggressively, putting the squeeze on T-Mobile in some markets. Leap, which operators under the Cricket brand, now offers low-cost regional services to value-conscious consumers in 49 markets in 21 states after launching service in a host of new markets and forging joint ventures to expand its CDMA service even further. T-Mobile, which has built its business on cheap voice services, has responded by promoting a more aggressive low-cost regional plan as well as allegedly pressuring independent, multi-carrier dealers to avoid carrying Cricket phones and service. Leap is also expected to be a huge bidder in the upcoming advanced wireless services (AWS). It has been ratcheting up the financing to prepare. Leap could indeed become one of the greatest come-back stories the the wireless industry.
For more about Leap's progress:
- read this article from RCR Wireless News (sub. req.)