US mobile operator Leap Wireless has launched its first LTE services, in Tucson, Arizona. The commercial launch marks the beginning of the company's planned, multi-year transition of its existing 3G network to LTE. In pre-launch speed tests conducted in the Tucson market, LTE speeds were 5-10 times faster than current 3G data speeds, the company, which operates under the name Cricket, said. More than 90 percent of Cricket's Tucson market footprint will be covered by the LTE network and further expansion is planned for nearby Nogales, Arizona in 2012. At launch, LTE service will be accessible via mobile broadband services and Cricket's first LTE device, the Huawei Boltz (E 397) modem. The modem will sell for USD 149.99 at Cricket's company-owned stores. Cricket expects to later add LTE phones and tablets. Tucson customers can select from two LTE monthly service plans each providing up to 5GB of data per month. The USD 50 plan offers download speeds of up to 3Mbps and the USD 60 plan offers download speeds up to 6Mbps.
