Cricket(R) Launches World's First CDMA Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) Mobile Phone, the CDM7126 by UTStarcom

SAN DIEGO & TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cricket Communications, Inc., the pioneer and leading provider of unlimited wireless services, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), today announced the world’s first CDMA Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) mobile phone – the UTStarcom CDM7126. Starting tomorrow the UTStarcom CDM7126 will be available at Cricket retail stores throughout Tulsa, Okla. and will soon be available in all Cricket markets nationwide.

“Taking this leadership position underscores our commitment to fostering product innovation by introducing CDMA’s first tri-band mobile device that enables multi-market use. This introduction marks the successful conclusion of two years of planning and development by UTStarcom and Cricket.”

Designed to operate on the new AWS spectrum band, this tri-band phone also operates on the PCS and cellular bands, enabling it to work in all existing Cricket wireless markets stretching from California to New York. The phone will also work in new Cricket markets slated to begin launching this year including Oklahoma City, Okla. and Las Vegas, Nev.

“We are pleased to be the first wireless carrier to offer an AWS wireless phone to our customers,” said Al Moschner, Cricket’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Taking this leadership position underscores our commitment to fostering product innovation by introducing CDMA’s first tri-band mobile device that enables multi-market use. This introduction marks the successful conclusion of two years of planning and development by UTStarcom and Cricket.”

With a sleek metallic, clamshell form factor, the UTStarcom CDM7126 features external indicators, which alert users of incoming calls and messages without the need to open the phone, plus a full-color internal display, providing optimal viewing of incoming calls, messaging alerts, games and other data applications. The Bluetooth-capable wireless handset also features voice recognition, predictive text input for easy text messaging, and supports Cricket Mobile Web for browsing and downloading favorite ringtones and graphics.

With plans starting as low as $35 per month, Cricket provides unlimited wireless calling all day and every day – without the need for contracts or credit checks. Cricket’s highest value plan – Cricket Nation 200 – is priced at only $60 per month and includes unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. domestic long distance, unlimited coverage in all Cricket markets, free text and picture messaging, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling and 200 nationwide roaming minutes per month.

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. (NASDAQ: LEAP), headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.