Jun 23, 2009 5:28 pm US/Eastern
New Wireless Company Opens 8 Stores In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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A new wireless company opens eight stores in Baltimore.
CBS
A new wireless company opened eight stores in Baltimore. The new wireless store caters to people who might not be able to afford a cell phone.
Suzanne Collins reports the company doesn't require people to sign a contract.
At least 100 people are newly employed by Cricket Communications, which opened stores in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Tuesday.
The two-year-old company out of Tennessee caters to lower income phone users.
"Our target is an underserved population of household incomes of $50,000 or less. Typically, national carriers avoid or don't pay much attention to that demographic," said Peter Eckel, Cricket Communications.
The company offers unlimited phone minutes and texting for $35. Internet service is included for $45. The biggest package is $60 a month. There are no contracts and no credit checks.
The mayor cut the ribbon on a store in West Baltimore.
"I think it's a great opportunity to give people who have credit problems or people of certain incomes particularly, young people, particularly, students to have opportunity to get a cheaper plan," said Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.
"I just want my coverage to be really good. And make sure this is really going to be $45 a month," said April Hipkins, customer.
Cricket wireless has its own network of cell towers and right now someone who gets one of their phones can get coverage from Philadelphia through Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and all the way to Fredericksburg.
But Chicago is wired so are Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego, Houston and many other states. The higher cost plan allows use of other provider networks.
"It helps people that don't have a lot of funds, so that's a good thing," said Yusef Elamin.
"I seen the low prices and I'm thinking about changing, because of the low prices," said Robert Lilly.
Cricket says it not only created 100 new jobs, but contractors they deal with have added another 100 more.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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