SAN DIEGO-Leap Wireless International Inc. officially began offering its Cricket branded cellular service in its hometown of San Diego.
The low-cost, flat-rate carrier now operates in four California markets and 50 markets total, and plans to roll service in Portland, Ore., next week.
A “substantial portion” of Leap’s network in San Diego was built by San Jose-based NextG Networks Inc., using a Distributed Antenna System of more than 300 nodes, which will be used to offer voice and data services for Leap’s Cricket and Jump Mobile brands.
According to NextG, its “extensive municipal right-of-way and utility assets” were part of what made the company Leap’s network choice, as well as the company’s ability to meet Leap’s time to market goals in a very “zoning-challenged” market.
“NextG’s challenge was to quickly bring the Cricket and Jump Mobile brands to San Diego while meeting local residents’ desire for unobtrusive, low-impact antennas,” said John Georges, co-founder and chief executive officer of NextG Networks.
