Leap Wireless to Sell Prepaid iPhone

BY ANTON TROIANOVSKI

AND THOMAS GRYTA

Leap Wireless International Inc. will start selling Apple Inc.’s iPhone next month, making it the first major pay-as-you-go carrier in the U.S. to offer the popular device.

The arrangement sets up a head-to-head test of whether U.S. consumers are willing to pay more up front for a high-end smartphone in exchange for a lower monthly fee.

Leap, which runs the Cricket prepaid service, struck a three-year deal with Apple that included an agreement to spend $900 million to carry the iPhone.

Leap will begin selling the iPhone 4S in a few weeks for $500 without a contract, more than twice …

• Apple stock hits $700 in wake of iPhone 5 debut
• Amidst Drop In Stock Prices: What Apple Needs To Do And What Investors Need …
• Stock Market Effect: Launch Of iPhone 5
• How iPhone rumors affect Apple’s share price
• Apple’s stock slumps on reports of weak iPhone sales