Leap Wireless International, Inc. on Wednesday announced that its subsidiary Cricket Communications, Inc. launched 4G LTE wireless service in its first commercial market: Tucson, Ariz.
The launch represents the beginning of a multiyear transition to 4G LTE from Cricket's 3G network.
Cricket has not yet introduced a 4G handset. The first LTE device is a Huawei Boltz modem, which Cricket will sell at its stores for $149.99.
"Cricket's LTE device roadmap is expected to grow steadily from modems to smartphones and ultimately other devices such as tablets," San Diego-based Leap Wireless said.
Cricket is offering two LTE service plans that provide up to 5GB of data each month, according to Leap Wireless. The $50 plan offers download speeds of up to 3Mbps while the $60 plan offers speeds up to 6Mbps.
Cricket plans to expand the 4G network into nearby Nogales, Ariz. next year.
A spokesperson for Cricket said he had no further information on Cricket's LTE plans. But Leap Wireless revealed in October it planned to reach 25 million people with LTE by the end of next year and invest about $250 million on the buildout through the end of 2012, FierceWireless reported.
