Cricket Wireless Increases Retail Footprint with Aaron's

ATLANTA, April 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket Wireless is teaming up with Aaron's, Inc. AAN, a leading nationwide lease-to-own retailer, to expand retail distribution and make it even easier for consumers to get premium, affordable wireless service nationwide. The new relationship – the first of its kind between a nationwide lease-to-own retailer and Cricket -- will add close to 2,000 Aaron's stores to Cricket's growing retail network over the next three months. Aaron's customers will be able to take devices purchased at Aaron's participating stores or compatible phones they already own and activate them on Cricket's simple, all-in rate plans using Cricket's "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) Universal SIM Card Kit.

This expansion will help Cricket continue its aggressive momentum, which has made the company one of the fastest growing prepaid wireless providers in the U.S. For Aaron's, it will strengthen the company's already robust offerings and help address the continually changing needs of its dynamic customer base. 

"Cricket and Aaron's share a simple goal -- give customers more than they ever thought possible from their retail experience – and this deal helps us continue to deliver," said Dave Fine, Vice President of Sales, Cricket Wireless. "Our relationship with Aaron's not only brings Cricket's distribution network to more than 12,000 retail locations nationwide, it also carves out a new path to let consumers experience all that Cricket has to offer – great network coverage, phenomenal value and no hidden costs or fees." 

"We're proud to work with another Atlanta-based company that's focused on providing amazing service to customers across the nation," said Douglas Lindsay, President of Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership. "Our customers want brand name, high-quality smart phones and wireless service that connects them anywhere. With this relationship, we're able to offer one of the best 4G LTE networks available at amazingly affordable rate plans – a huge win for our customers."

Aaron's customers will be able to activate their smartphones on Cricket's network, which offers more nationwide 4G LTE coverage than T-Mobile, Sprint, MetroPCS and Boost. In addition, they'll enjoy Cricket's popular offers:

• Plans starting at $35/month after $5 AutoPay credit with all taxes/fees included
• "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) Universal SIM Card Kit for compatible devices
• Unlimited texts and calls to and from the US, Mexico and Canada on a Smart or Pro plan
• Cricket Rewards and Deezer Music services

About the new Cricket Wireless

Cricket is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract. The power of Cricket is our nationwide 4G LTE network that covers more than 308 million people;* easy and affordable plans prices that include taxes and fees – no surprises; and a great selection of phones customers love. Cricket, Something to Smile About.  To check out the new Cricket or find a store near you, visitwww.cricketwireless.com. And connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cricketnation and Twitter atwww.twitter.com/cricketnation.

Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. Coverage not available everywhere. © 2016 Cricket Wireless LLC. All rights reserved. Cricket and the Cricket logo are trademarks under license to Cricket Wireless LLC. 

*Based on coverage in U.S. licensed/roaming areas. Compatible device required. Coverage not available everywhere. 4G LTE coverage is not equivalent to overall network coverage.

About Aaron's, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's, Inc. AAN is a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, and currently has more than 2,000 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada.  Progressive Leasing, a leading virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 16,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through a federally insured bank. Aaron's was founded in 1955, has been publicly traded since 1982 and owns the Aarons.com, ShopHomeSmart.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com brands. For more information, visit www.aarons.com.

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SOURCE Cricket Wireless