The US carrier Cricket Wireless has begun offering pre-paid iPhones on its network, allowing consumers to purchase an iPhone up front and then utilize pre-paid voice and data plans. The new offering means that consumers can frontload the cost of their iPhone plan, with a 16GB iPhone 4S requiring a payment of $499 up front. Cricket can then offer a $55 pre-paid plan with unlimited talk, text and media messaging. There is also 2.5GB of mobile data included and no contract to enter in to.
Cricket wireless is a relatively new carrier having only been established in 1999 although it has managed to amass a customer base in excess of 6.2 million in the US. The carrier utilizes the Sprint 3G network service meaning that customers purchasing the Cricket iPhone will essentially have Sprint coverage.
Prepaid…