Leap's Jump Mobile Turns Prepaid Wireless Upside Down

January 4, 2006 - Look out prepaid carriers, Leap Wireless just announced that Jump Mobile - its prepaid wireless alternative - continues to gain momentum in markets across the country. Offered over Leap's own high-quality, all-digital CDMA 1X wireless network, Jump Mobile is a low-cost, high-value prepaid wireless service geared toward the mobile-dependent, urban youth market. The prepaid wireless service offers unlimited inbound and outbound text messaging, free unlimited incoming calls and only 10 cents per minute for local and domestic long distance outgoing calls.

Leap and Jump Mobile executives, including Fernando Corona, vice president of channel development for Leap will be at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas. Corona said, "Since launching Jump Mobile in markets across the country, we have made strong progress on the distribution side of the business. With more than 2,000 points of distribution in our markets, we are continuing to sign on new distributors on a weekly basis. People are excited about the service given its high quality and value, which simply can't be touched by competitors in the prepaid wireless space. We believe it's the best prepaid offer on the planet!"

Jump Mobile is the service of choice for those who don't want hidden charges or connection fees. Jump Mobile gives users access to Leap's own high-quality, all-digital wireless network, plus a broad array of ringtones, wallpaper and games.

"Let's face it," Corona continued, "No other prepaid service provider can touch the value that Jump Mobile offers. Not only do we offer outgoing calling at just 10 cents per minute, we offer free unlimited incoming calling and free outgoing and incoming text messaging. Our text messaging offering alone is reason to purchase the service. Plus, Jump Mobile customers have access to a variety of other features such as downloadable ringtones and games."

Jump Mobile customers also have access to international long distance calling and to Travel Time, a roaming feature that enables users to use the Jump Mobile service outside their Jump footprint. Both international long distance and Travel Time are offered on a prepaid basis and are deducted from the user's account on a per-minute basis.

With Jump Mobile service currently sold with a "bubble pack" Motorola c341 phone - a stylish hourglass-shaped handset with rubberized side grips, vivid color display, speaker phone and more - the company plans to expand its handset portfolio this year with the addition of more feature-rich handsets.

"As we continue to add more features and functionality to the Jump Mobile service, we intend to offer higher-end handsets that appeal to our target customer base, which is primarily comprised of in-style youth who want the latest in electronics," said Corona.

The "bubble pack" Motorola c341 has a retail price of just $69.99, including 150 minutes of outgoing and unlimited incoming prepaid airtime. Jump Mobile plans are offered in four denominations, including:

$15 for 150 anytime minutes of outbound local and domestic long distance calling, free unlimited inbound calling from anywhere and free inbound and outbound text messaging. The $15 prepaid package expires after 15 days.
$25 for 250 anytime minutes of outbound local and domestic long distance calling, free unlimited inbound calling from anywhere and free inbound and outbound text messaging. The $25 prepaid package expires after 25 days.
$35 for 350 anytime minutes of outbound local and domestic long distance calling, free unlimited inbound calling from anywhere and free inbound and outbound text messaging. The $35 Jump Mobile prepaid package expires after 70 days.
$50 for 500 anytime minutes of outbound local and domestic long distance calling, free unlimited inbound calling from anywhere and free inbound and outbound text messaging. This package expires after 100 days.

Funds can be added for additional outbound calls, as well as games, ringtones and wallpapers.

Taking Jump Mobile to the Streets Jump Honors Local Musicians and Urban Artists
With a strong focus on the urban youth community, Jump Mobile has taken its message to the streets sponsoring a variety of activities, including local art shows and nightclub events. Jump Mobile is unveiling during CES several CDs in its Hometown Heroes series, which features compilations of music from local hip-hop and alternative artists. The music is written and performed by local artists in Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C.; Denver, Colo.; Dayton, Ohio; Memphis, Tenn.; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Compiling these CDs gave us the opportunity to mix with the local talent in the markets where we offer Jump Mobile and gave them the chance to have their work heard by a variety of new audiences," Corona continued. "It's been a great experience and one that we are replicating in our other markets."

The CDs are being offered at local Jump Mobile-sponsored events.

For more information on Jump Mobile, please visit www.jumpmobile.com.

SOURCE Leap