Cricket Shows Respekt with First Ever Low-cost Android Device

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cricket Communications Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), today announced the upcoming launch of the Huawei Ascend, the first low-cost Android device to hit the Smartphone market in the United States* and the third Smartphone to be included in Cricket’s dynamic line of phone offerings.

“It’s the lowest cost, non-contract Android device in the market complete with all the features and functionality users want. This truly exemplifies our mission to provide our customers with meaningful wireless services while offering more choices and fewer restrictions.”

Marking the innovative wireless provider’s steadfast dedication to respecting budget-conscious customers, the Huawei Ascend will be available starting mid-October at a suggested MSRP of $149.99 in Cricket branded retail stores, select dealers and on www.mycricket.com. The sleek, value-priced device has a 3.5” HVGA touch-screen, Wi-Fi capability, 3.2MP camera/camcorder, MP3 player and microSD slot, and a virtual QWERTY keyboard. Operating on the Android 2.1 OS, the striking, dark blue Ascend will offer 3G Real Web Browsing and access to the Android Marketplace, providing Cricket customers with the freedom to choose from tens of thousands of popular apps, including social networking, games, business tools and more.

The feature-packed Ascend will be offered on Cricket’s all-inclusive $55 Android plan, which provides users with unlimited talk, text, 411 information, navigation, international text, unlimited and video picture messages, unlimited data services on the company’s reliable all 3G network, and more. Additionally, customers utilizing the $55 rate plan have free access to MyBackup, a system that enables subscribers to automatically protect, store and edit their mobile contacts online and without the need for data cables.

“We are excited about launching the Huawei Ascend,” said Matt Stoiber, vice president and general manager of devices for Cricket Communications. “It’s the lowest cost, non-contract Android device in the market complete with all the features and functionality users want. This truly exemplifies our mission to provide our customers with meaningful wireless services while offering more choices and fewer restrictions.”

Cricket is the first carrier to offer the new high-function, low-cost Ascend, the third of three Smartphones recently launched by the value-focused, innovative wireless company. Cricket launched the Blackberry Curve 8530 and the Sanyo ZIO by Kyocera in August.

For more information about Cricket’s dynamic device lineup, please visit www.mycricket.com.

*Based upon MSRP for an Android device without a requirement of entering into a long-term contract.

About Cricket

Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving more than 5.3 million customers in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Cricket offers wireless voice and broadband Internet services over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital 3G CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Cricket’s nationwide wireless voice service plans include unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited Mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance, as well as a variety of calling features and feature-rich mobile applications such as popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. Cricket Broadband provides unlimited Internet access anywhere within Cricket’s coverage areas at speeds comparable to DSL. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.

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