Leap Wireless’ Cricket service hops on to national stage through deal with Sprint

Leap Wireless’ Cricket hops on to national stage

NEW YORK — Leap is taking its Cricket prepaid cellular service from a regional to a national player through a deal with Sprint Nextel Corp.

San Diego-based Leap Wireless International Inc. has been selling Cricket where it has its own network, in cities including Houston, Cincinnati, Savannah, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tenn. It also has roaming agreements with other carriers, so subscribers could use their phones outside Leap’s network.

In a new strategy announced Tuesday, Leap will now sell phones and service outside its network through big-box retailers. Sprint will provide service where Leap doesn’t have it.