Travel Technology - First prepaid iPhone service

Anyone know anything about this carrier? Looks 'comparable' to Sprint, with CDMA network? The first article mentions unlocked for international use?

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2012/05/31/cricket-gets-iphone-june-22/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+iphonedlb+%28iDownloadBlog%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/05/31/americas_first_prepaid_iphone_arrives_on_cricket_w ireless_june_22.html

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/05/31/iphone-coming-to-u-s-prepaid-carrier-cricket-on-june-22/

Cricket is fairly popular in the Southeast, and I know of folks that have used them without too many issues. Can't speak to their national coverage though.

August, 2010

Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP), a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless communications services, today announced that its operating subsidiary Cricket Communications has entered into a wholesale agreement (MVNO) with Sprint, which will allow Cricket to offer its products and services over Sprint's 3G network throughout the United States.

"This agreement with Sprint creates a new hybrid wholesale and facilities-based model that is unique in the industry," said Doug Hutcheson, Leap's president and CEO. "We believe that our ability to offer compelling 3G voice and data services in markets we do not currently serve will allow us to further establish a national brand and attract new customers for our exciting Cricket products, including Smartphones and other services. In addition, we believe that this agreement will allow us to significantly strengthen and expand our retail position and distribution relationships."

So yes, I would guess that it is sprint.

Cricket has been around for a while in the prepaid market, they will probably do well if they have the full use of the Sprint network with this.

This should up the pressure on AT&T, Verizon and TMobile to become more competitive on their plans.

This should up the pressure on AT&T, Verizon and TMobile to become more competitive on their plans.

LOL

AT&T and Verizon conspire in pricing.
TMO prices are competitive but lacks the iPhone.
Sprint is treading water and we all hope continues...

If in fact their phone can be unlocked, might be worth a peek!

LOL

AT&T and Verizon conspire in pricing.
TMO prices are competitive but lacks the iPhone.
Sprint is treading water and we all hope continues...

If in fact their phone can be unlocked, might be worth a peek!

I was being sarcastic, at least at first since I had (and still have) no expectation that a very small fish that is merely an MVNO has anything but extremely limited ability to rock the marketplace. Then again, this situation may better reveal the plan subscriber's true phone costs, particularly those phone costs masked by the jacked up contract plan costs; and that should help make for a somewhat more transparent marketplace that at least marginally pressures the other carriers and makes things somewhat more competitive.

Am I correct in assuming one could use a factory unlocked iPhone 4S on this Cricket (Sprint MVNO) network? Or does one have to buy the iPhone 4S from Cricket?

The iPhone has always lacked one great feature found in other U.S. smartphones, and even iPhones outside of the country: the option to buy your hardware outright and operate it on a national network on a prepaid, no-contract basis. Cricket Communications (owned by Leap Wireless) has finally broken through that little restriction with the delivery of a pay-as-you-go iPhone that becomes available through stores starting on June 22.

But not in Chicago or some other big-city markets. Leap’s Chicago-area network uses AWS radio frequencies that aren’t supported by the PCS-only iPhone.

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/12894810-452/why-you-cant-get-a-cricket-prepaid-iphone-in-chicago.html

Am I correct in assuming one could use a factory unlocked iPhone 4S on this Cricket (Sprint MVNO) network? Or does one have to buy the iPhone 4S from Cricket?

That's a great idea! None of the news reports appear to address this and it might be something to ask Cricket CS...

The iPhone has always lacked one great feature found in other U.S. smartphones, and even iPhones outside of the country: the option to buy your hardware outright and operate it on a national network on a prepaid, no-contract basis. Cricket Communications (owned by Leap Wireless) has finally broken through that little restriction with the delivery of a pay-as-you-go iPhone that becomes available through stores starting on June 22.

But not in Chicago or some other big-city markets. Leap’s Chicago-area network uses AWS radio frequencies that aren’t supported by the PCS-only iPhone.

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/12894810-452/why-you-cant-get-a-cricket-prepaid-iphone-in-chicago.html


AWS is used by some carriers in some areas, like T Mobile. Until the Iphone supports it, rumored to be the next version according to some reports) it won't work in areas where AWS is the only choice.

This page explains it a bit better than I could

http://www.extremetech.com/electronics/113549-aws-compatible-iphone-coming-maybe

I assume this is CDMA which is what Sprint and Verizon use ,

So if you have a European GSM iPhone or one from AT+T (also GSM) it is not going to work........

Soarer

The iPhone has always lacked one great feature found in other U.S. smartphones, and even iPhones outside of the country: the option to buy your hardware outright and operate it on a national network on a prepaid, no-contract basis. Cricket Communications (owned by Leap Wireless) has finally broken through that little restriction with the delivery of a pay-as-you-go iPhone that becomes available through stores starting on June 22.

you could always do that. just buy the unsubsidized contract-free version and activate it on a prepaid carrier. this just makes it a little easier and a little cheaper.

That's a great idea! None of the news reports appear to address this and it might be something to ask Cricket CS...

Even though the iPhone 4S is CDMA compliant I am guessing that a factory unlocked iPhone 4S may not be allowed on this Cricket network, but I could be wrong.

Note that there really is only one version of the 4S, and it is sold in many locales as factory unlocked. Here in Thailand the 16 GB model is 20,900 THB all in (you may be able to get the 7% VAT back at the VAT Refund leaving Thailand).


AWS is used by some carriers in some areas, like T Mobile. Until the Iphone supports it, rumored to be the next version according to some reports) it won't work in areas where AWS is the only choice.


Note that AT&T has had to cede 1900 Mhz 3G to T-Mobile in many major markets in the U.S. It is currently being re-farmed, with some cities completed, and supposed to be finished by the end of this year. So any unlocked iPhone 3/3GS/4/4S would work on this 3G network. Of course any unlocked iPhone would work on T-Mo's GSM network for voice, text and 2G (lower speed: up to 236.8 Kbps) data.

Virgin will also be joining the prepaid arena

Beginning June 29, Sprint's Virgin Mobile USA unit will sell a 16-gigabyte version of the latest iPhone for $649, the same price as in Apple's stores, but will offer unlimited data plans--without the consumer needing to agree to a two-year contract--at nearly one-third the price of plans from rival postpaid carriers.

Plan pricing from the story

Virgin Mobile has prepaid plans that begin at $35 a month, including unlimited data and messaging with 300 minutes for phone calls. Data speeds will be throttled after the user consumes 2.5 gigabytes a month. An unlimited voice plan is available for $50 a month. The company offers a $5 a month discount to users that register for automatic monthly payments.

Customers can also pay an additional $15 a month to use their iPhone as a mobile hotspot.

In comparison, Leap is charging $55 for unlimited talk, text and data, with a similar limit on full-speed data. Plans with other wireless carriers are frequently $100 or more, and users are locked into two-year contracts.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sprints-virgin-mobile-to-offer-prepaid-iphone-2012-06-07?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Not sure if this is old news but was chatting with Vz CS on-line and discovered they have prepaid, no-contract, no activation fee plan for iPhone. You need to pay the full unsubsidized price for the iPhone and the monthly rate is $80 per month. Includes unlimited voice/text and 2 gb data.

I didn't see it anywhere on their website but confirm with CS it existed. Vz will also unlock for use with international GSM network. And one can port a number over from TMO/AT&T, etc.

Talking with the Mrs. about moving her over and also searching CL for slightly cheaper Vz ihone 4s.

Cricket has their own sites, as well as the sprint backed sites.

Since Cricket doesn't have a large coverage area, nor do they have enough demand to lure apple into making for their AWS band, it is safe to say this iphone will be running on the sprint network.

I don't know about Cricket cell service but their wireless broadband stinks. They used to have commercials showing happy people downloading at lightning speeds. I couldn't even do simple browsing because it was so horribly slow. I don't see those commercials any more. Maybe they were sued for false advertisement.

http://usat.ly/MONDNI

Seems cricket but not virgin will unlock for international use