Cell phones > Companies > Cricket

Cricket company profile

General information
NameCricket
User rating 3
Add review
Customer base1.6 million
Customer service hrs.24 hours/day, 7 days/week
 
Network information
Network typeCDMA
Frequencies/Bands800/850, 1900
Coverage areaNationwide
Roaming partnersOther CDMA carriers
Service activation area41 markets across 20 U.S. states
 
Our review
 

Company Overview: Cricket Communications is the operating subsidiary of Leap Wireless International.  Cricket is headquartered in San Diego, CA.

Network Benefits: Text and picture messaging.

Special Plan Features: All plans offer unlimited anytime calling within Cricket service area.  Cricket Clicks downloadable games, ringtones, and entertainment.  Flex Bucket billing plan for a la carte additional
services.

Unique Features: Unlimited anytime calling with all plans.  Cricket Rewards customer incentive program.

Pros: Excellent pricing on unlimited calling offered through long distance and local-only plans.

Cons: Coverage is limited to select markets in limited states.  Limited number of compatible SIM-free handsets.  Limited messaging and data services.

Technology Used: Cricket operates an all-digital CDMA newtwork.  Cricket phones do not use SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards.

Coverage: Service is offered in 41 markets across 20 US states.

Customer Service: See Consumer Reviews 


Most popular Cricket cell phone specials

Kyocera Lingo-M1000
Kyocera
Lingo-M1000
From:
$79.99
Motorola KRZR-K1m Fire
Motorola
KRZR-K1m Fire
From:
$189.99
Samsung SCH-r500 Hue
Samsung
SCH-r500 Hue
From:
$179.99
Kyocera K132
Kyocera
K132
From:
$69.99
 

Poor night sleep caused by cell phone radiation

Poor night sleep caused by cell phone radiation
A new study performed by the Electromagnetic Academy at MIT has found mobile phone radiation can severely disrupt sleep patterns in humans. Researcher’s exposed 71 men and women between the ages of 18 and 45 to cell phone radiation prior to going to sleep and discovered exposure to the 884MHz frequency was found to affect the body’s ability to recover from daily wear and tear. What's more interesting is that participants who were exposed to cell phone radiation during sleep were more likely...

Cricket Shakes Up the Wireless Industry with Its Alternative Unlimited Mobile Phone Service

El Paso, Texas & Las Cruces, New Mexico - January 30, 2006 – Imagine wireless service with no annual contracts, no credit checks and the ability to talk as long as you want, for one, low, flat monthly rate. Introducing Cricket, a high-quality, affordable and predictable unlimited mobile phone service entering the Paso del Norte region tomorrow. Cricket® service will "kick-off" in the Paso del Norte Region tomorrow, January 31, with the opening of two retail stores in El Paso at...

Cricket Launches the Kyocera Xcursion KX160 Color Camera Phone with Bluetooth Wireless Technology

SAN DIEGO (January 17, 2006) – Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, and Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of unlimited wireless services, today announced the immediate availability and national debut of Kyocera’s Xcursion KX160 full-featured cameraphone with Bluetooth® wireless technology to Cricket’s lineup of handsets and flexible unlimited rate plans. In keeping with Kyocera's commitment to ease of use and stylish...

No Surprises

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5
By: B. Taite on Monday, June 23, 2008
From: Cincinnati, OH (United States)
Experience: 4 Years
Pros: No contract, No credit check, unlimited minutes, texting, etc. all day everyday. Always know what my monthly bill is going to be. Bridge payment, where you pay $20-$25 towards your bill to continue services through the end of the month.

Cons: Expensive phones. No incentives, rebates or discounts for existing long-time customers. There is no grace period for paying your phone bill. When that due date hits and you don't have that payment, it's off. There is no making payment arrangements. Phone customer services needs improvement to say the least.

Summary: I've been with Cricket for about 4 years. Have only had two phones - my son inherited my first one because his was stolen and I bought myself a new one. Very satisfied with just about everything Cricket. Right now, I don't think there's a better pre-paid wireless service anywhere.

2 DAYS IS ALL IT TOOK

Overall Rating:
1 out of 5
By: aaron hall on Wednesday, May 28, 2008
From: houston, TX (United States)
Experience: 1 Days
Pros: Are there any pros at all????

Cons: Where should I begin

Summary: My girlfriend wanted me to save some money and she has been pushing me to move to cricket and i just kept refusing to leave Sprint. So...when her contract was up with T-Mobile a few days ago she decided that she was going to change and just show ME!!! LOL All I can say is I am the one sitting back lmfao. She got the phone last friday, but was told because of the holiday she would have to call on tuesday to get the phone changed over. She patiently waited. (That alone would have gotten me going!!!) She called on tuesday, but customer service was not open yet. Then when she did talk to them it turns out they sent her a phone that was not programed for the area code she had requested. (because she was keeping her old number in a different area code) They had to re-program the phone, but it took her almost 4hrs on the phone to find someone that knew how to do that. Next the txt messaging would not work!! they told her it would take up to 48 hrs for that to start working! What kind of cr#p is that??? She called the local company store to get her phone book changed over and the store told her they could not do that. She then called a company store that was a good 30 min away from her home and they tell her ya they can do it. So, today she heads out there only to find out they lied. They do not have the equipment to do it. (With the rising price of gas who really wants to drive across town for nothing??) After all of this she is pissed. (of course she is taking it out on me as I continue to lmfao) She has decided that she is going back to T-Mobile. Topping everything off Cricket then tells her since she has used 30 min on the phone (most of which was used talking to their customer service) they would not refund her money on the phone, and she has to wait another 48 hrs before they will release her phone number to go back to T-Mobile. And people talk bad about SPrint!!! hahahahaha Cricket can keep their wonderful rate plan as far as I am concerned they are horrible. Because, as most men know, if your girl is un-happy you can guarantee she will make sure you are just as un-happy!!!

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Cricket Custromer Service

Overall Rating:
1.7 out of 5
By: Jim Cozzolino on Friday, May 23, 2008
From: Peoria, AZ (United States)
Experience: 1 Years
Pros: Monthly Cost

Cons: The worst customer service in the world, cheap phones that don't last.

Summary: Cricket may have great monthly service costs, but that all they have.

Worst customer service in the world, phone are junk.

Do yourself a favor and stick to a real cellular service unless of course you love double billing, no credit when you bill is paid and rude customer service agents that could care less.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Never had an issue

Overall Rating:
3.7 out of 5
By: lea truman on Thursday, May 22, 2008
From: fort collins, CO (United States)
Experience: 2 Years
Pros: more services for less money, no long term contract, unlimited EVERYTHING,

Cons: customer service call limit, limited number of coporate stores

Summary: I've had cricket for over two years and i have no issues with the phones. i have a samsung siren that i am absolutely in love with. i don't experience the dropped calls thing very much and when i do, its rarely on my end. the customer service is ass but then who does have good customer service these days? even i go to the cricket store, i'm usually in and out in no time. i can even travel to other states with my phone and it doesn't cost any extra. ppl told me bad stuff about cricket but i love it and i came to cricket from at&t which is comparable to a streaming bowl of puke. i really like cricket and have converted a number of other happy cricket customers (from carriers like verizon, sprint, helio and t mobile).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

Terrible just like everyone else says.

Overall Rating:
1 out of 5
By: John Smith on Thursday, May 08, 2008
From: oklahoma city, OK (United States)
Experience: 6 Months
Pros: None that i can see. Cheaper's not always better.

Cons: Customer Service rude or unavailable. Dropped calls.

Summary: My parents bought Cricket on a whim. We can't have a conversation that doesn't get dropped atleast 3 times before we finally give up trying. They went to a Customer service building surrounded by a lot of other angry customers. They were told to go back to the store where they bought it. Of course the store sent them right back to customer service who said they're out of luck. Cricket has an aggressive marketing campaign that's entering my city where my parents phone won't even work? Buyers Beware!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
All Cricket user reviews

Re: What are the credit requirements for a new cell phone and plan?

You can always go with Helio or Cricket - Since you have to pay for the phone in full prior to activation there is a lot less risk for the company. If you have poor credit they will normally put you

Re: Which company offers the best Pre Paid service.

I'm going to assume you meant "Durable phones". Cingular probably has the largest selection of phones, but no mobile to mobile minutes. :( Besides pre-paid only carriers, many national carriers


Latest Videos & Reviews

Check out the latest cell phone videos and in-depth reviews from Noah and our other expert editors
  • Video: Instinct vs iphone 3g vs Dare vs Treo 800w: Speed Test
    Speed Test Pt 2Another Internet speed test pitting four 3G phones against one another. The takeaway? 3G coverage
  • Video: Instinct vs iPhone 3G - Web and Speed Test
    Instinct vs iPhone Speed VideoNoah puts Instinct and iPhone 3G head-to-head in a Web and speed battle. First is a raw download
  • Video: iPhone 3g Review: Free SMS and AIM Instant Messaging
    iPhone AIM and Free SMSNoah continues looking at the new iPhone 3G. In this video it's IMing using the AIM app, which is
  • Video: iPhone 3g Review: App Store, Pt 2
    iPhone 3g Review Pt 2The big news with the new iPhone is price, 3G, and the App Store. Noah takes a look at Super Monkey
  • Video: LG Dare vs Samsung Instinct - PhoneDog Dogfight
    LG Dare vs Samsung InstinctTwo of the Summer's hottest touchscreen phones go head to head. LG Dare for Verizon vs Samsung
  • Video: iPhone 3g Review: App Store, Pt 1
    iPhone 3g Review Pt 1The big news with the new iPhone is price, 3G, and the App Store. Noah takes a look at installing
  • Video: iPhone 3g Unboxing and Hands-On
    iPhone 3g UnboxingPart one of our extensive coverage of Apple's new iPhone 3G. Noah brings you an unboxing,
  • Video: iPhone 3G - At the Launch
    iPhone 3G - At the LaunchLive from the iPhone 3G launch. Folks started lining up at 3AM here at the AT&T store in Berkeley,
  • Video:  LG Chocolate 3 (VZW) Unboxing and Hands-On
    Video: LG Chocolate 3Update: $129 after rebate with two-year contract, available Sunday July 13 The heat's getting
  • Video:  Motorola ROKR E8 (T-Mobile) Unboxing and Hands-On
    Video: Motorola ROKR E8ROKR you like a Hurricane. Moto's new ROKR E8 features a morphing keypad, touch sensitive nav
  • LG Dare
    LG DareWhat’s Good: Attractive, highly customizable UI with home screen shortcuts; Compact design with
  • Samsung Instinct-M800
    Samsung Instinct-M800What’s Good: Supports every feature Sprint offers; EV-DO Rev. A data speeds; Good touchscreen
  • LG enV2
    LG enV2What’s Good: Sleeker and smaller than the original EnV. Comfortable QWERTY keyboard and QVGA
  • Motorola Z9
    Motorola Z9What’s Good: Great voice quality; fast 3G data speeds; good GPS system; mobiTV compatibility;
  • Samsung Glyde
    Samsung GlydeWhat’s Good: Touchscreen and Full QWERTY Keyboard in Compact Body; Clean Menus and “Croix” User
  • Nokia N82
    Nokia N82What’s Good: Incredible Camera w/Xenon Flash; Full VGA Video Capture; Excellent Web Browser; WiFi;
  • BlackBerry Pearl-8120 Titanium
    BlackBerry Pearl-8120 TitaniumWhat’s Good: Integrated WiFi for Web, Email, and HotSpot@Home UMA Calling; Trackball is easy to
  • LG Venus
    LG VenusWhat’s Good: Beautiful display; Context-sensitive menus; Extensive feature set; VZ Navigation works
  • Nokia N810 Silver
    Nokia N810 SilverWhat’s Good: Stylish, compact design with large touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard; Excellent
  • LG Rumor White
    LG Rumor WhiteWhat’s Good: Compact, rugged design with full QWERTY keyboard; Easy to use; Auto-rotating display;

New & coming soon phones

Hot off the presses... here's what's available now and expected to come to market soon!
  • LG Chocolate-3-VX8560 Black
    LG Chocolate-3-VX8560 BlackCarrier: Verizon Wireless
    Contract Price: $179.99
    Hot Feature: Sleek flip phone Coco
  • Samsung Blackjack-2-SGH-617 Blue
    Samsung Blackjack-2-SGH-617 BlueCarrier: AT&T
    Contract Price: Free
    Hot Feature: New color - Blue
  • Samsung Blackjack-2-SGH-617 Pink
    Samsung Blackjack-2-SGH-617 PinkCarrier: AT&T
    Contract Price: Free
    Hot Feature: New color - Pink
  • Nokia 2760
    Nokia 2760Carrier: T-Mobile
    Contract Price: Free
    Hot Feature: FM Radio
  • Palm Treo 800w
    Palm Treo 800wCarrier: Sprint
    Contract Price: $349.99 pre-rebate
    Hot Features: GPS Nav, WiFi, more
  • Apple iPhone 3G Black 8GB
    Apple iPhone 3G Black 8GBCarrier: AT&T
    Contract Price: $199.99
    Hot Feature: 3G for iPhone
  • Motorola ROKR-E8
    Motorola ROKR-E8Carrier: T-Mobile
    Contract Price: $249.99 before rebate
    Hot Feature: "ModeShift" technology
  • LG AX300
    LG AX300Carrier: Alltel
    Contract Price: $20 with instant rebate
    Hot Feature: Small compact design
  • LG Decoy VX8610
    LG Decoy VX8610Carrier: Verizon Wireless
    Contract Price: $99.99
    Hot Feature: Integrated Bluetooth headset
  • LG Dare
    LG DareCarrier: Verizon Wireless
    Contract Price: $199.99 - after online discount
    Hot Feature: I-phone competitor
More latest releases
More coming soon phones