Within all the doom and gloom in today’s crippled economy, we’re now treated with the news of one wireless company actually expanding to a new service area and hiring thousands of new employees to do so.
Cricket Wireless from San Diego-based Cricket Communications, which is a division of Leap Wireless, says it’s ready to expand its low-cost wireless service to its largest market yet: Chicago.
To fuel the expansion, Cricket says it will hire approximately 2,150 employees in Chicago and the suburbs of Chicago beginning next week.
About 350 of these people will work in Cricket’s Chicago office while another 1,800 will work at Cricket stores, according to the Daily Herald. These stores sell Cricket service and phones from Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and other manufacturers.
Now I didn’t just notice this story because I happen to live in Chicago. Beginning in the middle of 2009, this means Windy City residents will have access to Cricket’s low-cost unlimited cell phone service.
The all-unlimited plan includes all your anytime minutes, night and weekend minutes, U.S. long distance, text messaging, picture messaging, video messaging, mobile Web usage and 411 calls on your cell phone.
By contrast, Virgin Mobile (a Sprint reseller) offers an unlimited plan for $79.99 per month while Sprint charges $89 for the equivalent. T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon all charge $99.
The catch? The Cricket service is only good for unlimited usage in Cricket’s markets. Cricket service covers 50 markets in 29 states, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. If a Cricket customer moves beyond its service area, pricey roaming charges are incurred.
For some, that could be your deal killer. While the company is clearly expanding, the service can’t currently offer you the thorough U.S. coverage of the major wireless carriers.
While Cricket does require a $15 activation fee, though, another perk is it has no service contract, deposit or early termination fee. That’s something the big wireless boys won’t currently offer to you.
Aug. 25, 2009 update: In competition with Cricket, prepaid wireless carrier PlatinumTel on Aug. 25, 2009 unveiled an unlimited plan for $50 a month.
Comments
i have been with cricket for 7 years now and the roaming we have 200 mins so isnt pricey as you say, we have internet broadband now , and feel soon we will add much more to keep up with the other companies that you end up getting big bills for roaming , i know what my bill is every month , have been with orher cell companies and no thank you will stick with cricket
Cricket has lousy service in many coverage areas! The phone keeps going in and out of service and they pride themselves on targetting low income neighbourhoods! Customer service is definetely not a priority. Im not sure if I am that excited about them coming to Chicago??
Definitely great news! As noted, Cricket doesn’t have the coverage that other carriers have. Perhaps the new roaming agreement with Metro will help. Boost, for example, has a nationwide network with great coverage and quality. Customers just need to determine where they’ll be using their phones so they can choose an appropriate carrier. Cricket’s broadband plan is also pretty exciting. There are a small handful now providing prepaid broadband (check out plans here: http://www.prepaid-wireless-guide.com/prepaid-wireless-broadband-plans.html). Anyway, expansion is always good; bring it on!
Unless you travel to different states a lot Cricket is awesome! I had Cricket in Boise for 3 years and never had a problem with service or reception. With Cingular and T-Mobile I always had/have dropped calls and such so I don’t think it could get much worse. Besides there are no contracts so if you don’t like it you can switch to something else. By far the best pay as you go phone!
I wish we had this Cricket service in Canada. I use to be an authorized dealer for Cricket wireless in Las Vegas. I recommend to everybody. Great plans.
can’t wait 4 them 2 get 2 da chi so i can get my cricket phone back up & going. da rates are great come on now 45 dollars for unlimited everything. had dis carrier when i lived in portland, oregon. refuse to get a new phone since i moved back 2 da chi. nobody can beat da deal dat cricket offers. want 2 know y because da feds own cricket. dnt beleive me, look it up. everybody on da west coast knows dis. just remember u dnt have to show i.d. so use any name. also switch ur phone up every month wit a new name 4 those who b talking dirty.
we had them in NE they are awesome unless you travel but they used to have regional plans for those that travel to certain states
love them cannot wait
when and where can I sign up in chicago
early holiday for me
Boost Mobile will always be #1
No service in Seattle. Too bad for you… you would kill the competition!
Cricket will be fantastic for everyone in the Chicago area. Their equipment will be the latest and the greatest. I am tired of paying too much, and I don’t want to lock into any contract. The wireless broadband sounds like something that I could use as well. $35 a month for wireless broadband? Please…. Bring it on!
Had Cricket in Colorado when I lived there for 2yrs! LOVED IT! I have AT & T prepaid and it is not that good and is very costly! I can’t wait till it is here in chicago cause I am going to drop this other phone and get a Cricket!!!!
WHAT A SURPISE…HADE A CRICKET WHEN I LIVED IN MEMPHIS. CAN’T WAIT UNTIL ITS ALL SET UP
jus got hired by crickett today…pretty happy may i say
well fox cricket is indeed on its way i live in rosenberg texas n curently working for cricket but in some few weeks ima me going to work over there so just check me out at the store in w grand ave or la grange
I have been a customer for 3 months now. cricket service is great in the chicago area except in downtown chicago. I cannot count how many times I experience dropped calls/lost signal per day down there because my Job involves actually driving around in that area a lot. All other areas, like I said, is perfect including the surburbs.
I’ve had Cricket Wireless Broadband since 04/19/09 and have had no problems! It is unlimited (I think there is a catch if you go over 5GB). When I get a desktop, I’ll probably get another modem for it. The only downside to the broadband plan is that you MUST be inside of their coverage area. That’s no problem for me, I live about three quarters of a mile from their tower.
I’ve had Cricket for a few months now, and I am laughing at how much I used to pay for AT&T. I got the 45 dollar plan but they have a special in my area so I am only paying 40 per month. I would have gone with Boost Mobile, but Cricket beats their 50.00 plan by ten bucks! I’m tired of being ripped off. I was with AT&T for years, then Sprint, then I switched to Cingular, when AT&T bought Cingular I had no choice. AT&T is so expensive and Cricket gives me the same service. So far haven’t had a dropped call, and I have unlimited voice, texting and pic texting, mobile web access, and unlimited 411. Who can beat that for $40.00? Let me know cus I’ll switch then! Love my cricket phone!