AT&T Relaunches Cricket Wireless Prepaid Service, Kills Aio Wireless Brand

AT&T has relaunched Cricket Wireless Prepaid, which it obtained in the Leap Wireless acquisition a few months ago. The 'new' Cricket Wireless runs on AT&T's LTE Network, a change from Cricket's older CDMA network. As it shapes its prepaid services, AT&T is also shutting down the Aio Wireless brand, which it launched a year ago and it will become a part of the new Cricket brand.

Consumers seeking a better wireless experience with no annual contract have a new choice. Today, the new Cricket Wireless launches wireless service on a reliable, nationwide 4G LTE network covering more than 280 million Americans; with easy and affordable unlimited plans starting at $35 a month after a $5 credit for using Auto Pay; a great line-up of phones; a loyalty rewards program; and a fresh, friendly experience in stores and online.

“We kept the Cricket brand name, but one thing is certain, we are stepping up our game. We are giving no-contract consumers the value they have been waiting for,” said Jennifer Van Buskirk, president of Cricket Wireless. “Now new Cricket customers can enjoy great prices, popular phones, loyalty rewards, and friendly service on a reliable nationwide 4G LTE network. The new Cricket has more 4G LTE coverage than Sprint, T-Mobile, and Metro PCS, period.”

The reinvented wireless experience emerges as a winning combination of Cricket Wireless and Aio Wireless just two months after AT&T closed its acquisition of Leap Wireless International, which had operated the Cricket brand. Aio, AT&T’s wholly owned subsidiary and no-annual-contract brand, will now be known as Cricket Wireless.

Plans include $35 Basic with 500MB high speed data, $45 Smart with 2.5GB high speed data and $55 Pro with 5GB high speed data. That includes a $5 discount if you enroll in auto pay. All plans include Unlimited talk, text (domestic and international) and data. However, once you use your plans included 'high speed' data, the speeds become reduced.

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