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Nov. 10, 2008

MetroPCS Communications and Leap Wireless will offer free roaming on each other’s networks, an initiative stemming from a reciprocal roaming agreement signed in September by the two wireless providers.

Leap’s mobile markets will be free to MetroPCS customers signed up for the carrier’s $45 and $50-per-month service plans.

Additionally, they can be added to other plans for just $5 per month.

Overall, MetroPCS’ markets will be free to Leap customers on plans above the $45-per-month point, and an extra $5 for plans at or below that point.

Roger Linquist, chairman and CEO of MetroPCS said "this offering is a major benefit and value to our users. It takes our existing predictable, affordable wireless service platform and extends it to our customers nationwide. Our customers can now seamlessly use their MetroPCS wireless service while they travel throughout the expanded service area."

Leap and MetroPCS are working together to substantially broaden their coverage. MetroPCS plans Boston and New York launches in 2009, and Leap Wireless will be trying to double its covered pops by 2010.

MetroPCS said the deal covers about 300 markets. A Leap spokesperson cautioned that the wireless carrier's roaming agreements would not extend to MetroPCS customers.

The announced plans don’t cover major markets where neither MetroPCS nor Leap offers service, including New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

With this announcement, some industry observers are now expecting other wireless providers to offer similar arrangements that will offer users free roaming in either the same markets or expanded ones.

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Source: MetroPCS.