Leap Wireless, the Cricket folks, told us we will expect to work out LTE service go live in Tucson before the top of the year — and by golly, they were bound and determined to do it. Sure ’nuff, the prepaid carrier is now able to match wits against MetroPCS because it brings its first 4G market and device live with just ten days remaining in 2011. No less than 90 percent of Tucson can be capable of benefit from the faster speeds, with nearby Nogales, AZ receiving some expansion love sometime in 2012 and a minimum of two-thirds of its countrywide network cashing in on the subsequent-gen service throughout the next two to 3 years. Its first LTE device is the Huawei Boltz — often called the Huawei E397 in other parts of the realm — and will be bought for $150 with out a contract. Eventually, Leap says, the lineup may be expanded to incorporate smartphones and tablets. Now, let’s talk pricing: two data plans of 5GB each can be found, with $50 getting you download speeds of 3Mbps and $60 offering you 6Mbps. Granted, that’s nothing when compared with the ultra-fast speeds you spot on Verizon and AT&T’s LTE networks right now, but it is a start.
- Huawei Boltz USB Modem Cricket’s First LTE Device -
CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC. LEAP LOGO Leap Wireless International, Inc. (PRNewsFoto/Cricket Communications, Inc.) SAN DIEGO, CA UNITED STATES
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP), the parent company of Cricket Communications, Inc., a number one provider of innovative and price-driven wireless communications services, today announced the start of its transition to 4G LTE with a commercial market launch in its Tucson, Ariz. Cricket market. The launch marks the start of the Company’s planned, multi-year transition of its existing high-quality 3G network to 4G LTE.
“The introduction of Cricket 4G LTE in Tucson as our first commercial market is an early milestone in our transition to LTE if you want to let us continue to present our customers high-quality services and products with the most recent technology on the value price they’ve come to expect,” said Doug Hutcheson, president and CEO of Leap. “Cricket is the leader in providing the proper value within the wireless industry. That leadership comes from introducing new services and products, like LTE, in a thoughtful manner and on a timeline it really is appropriate for our price conscious customers.”
4G LTE is the fastest most advanced network technology in America delivering data at incredibly fast speeds. In pre-launch speed tests conducted within the Tucson market, Cricket’s 4G speeds ranged from 5 to ten times faster than current 3G data speeds. Greater than 90 percent of Cricket’s Tucson market footprint may be covered by the brand new 4G LTE network and extra expansion is planned for nearby Nogales, Ariz. in 2012.
At launch, 4G LTE service might be accessible via mobile broadband services and the Cricket’s first 4G LTE device, the Huawei Boltz (E 397) modem, may be available for $149.99 (MSRP) at Cricket’s company-owned stores. Cricket’s LTE device roadmap is anticipated to grow steadily from modems to smartphones and ultimately other devices consisting of tablets. Tucson customers can choose from two 4G LTE monthly service plans each providing as much as 5GB of information monthly. The $50 plan offers download speeds of as much as 3Mbps and the $60 plan offers download hurries up to 6Mbps.
The Huawei Boltz, Cricket’s first 4G LTE modem, includes a lightweight, sleek design. Its integrated installation software allows quick and simple set-up, the modem has a hinge and pivots to any USB 2.0 configuration and has a microSD slot for as much as 32GB additional memory storage. The Boltz is backwards compatible with Cricket 3G networks to be used in non-4G Cricket markets.
Huawei Boltz Features
Frequency:
4G: LTE AWS Band Class 15 Bandwidth 1.4MHz, 3MHz, 5MHz
3G: CDMA 1x & EVDO BC1 & BC15 (1900 & AWS)
aGPS
OS Compatibility:
Windows XP SP2/SP3, Window Vista SP1/SP2 (32 & 64 Bit), Windows 7 (32 & 64 bit)
Mac OS 10.5 to ten.6 with latest updates (32 & 64 bit), 10.7 (32 & 64
Micro USB (High Speed)
Processor:
MDM9600
Memory Slot:
microSD™ (supports as much as 32GB)
Dimensions/Weight
(H) 4″ x (W) 2.2″ x (D) .60″
3.9oz
Monthly Rate Plans:
$50 Plan – 5GB of knowledge with quickens to 3Mbps
$60 Plan – 5GB of knowledge with quickens to 6Mbps
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