R.I.P. Jump Mobile

Last week, when we discussed Cricket’s new PAYgo plans, we seemingly missed something. It wasn’t until I read this version of the story in RCR News that I found out. Yes, as the title suggests, Leap Wireless is ditching the Jump Mobile brand. This was one the pay-as-you-go arm of Leap Wireless, but apparently the company has decided to ditch that approach in favor of their daily fee, unlimited calling plans. This has certainly been in the works for a few months. When I approached Leap about a few interviews, they said that they weren’t commenting on Jump Mobile at the time. I thought about mentioning it, but I thought better of it, for the sake of my contacts with the company. So, about seven months later, the inevitable has arrived. I honestly would have rather seen them merge Jump and Leap, rather than introduce a new style of unlimited calling. Calls at 10 cents per minute out going and free incoming, plus unlimited text messaging within your local calling area, is a stupendous deal. Perhaps that’s why it had to go. Still, the new PAYgo plans still exciting enough to give a try, especially for former Jump subscribers. The phase out of Jump will begin in the new PAYgo markets, so Cincinnati/Dayton, Savannah/Hilton Head, and Houston. Leap will still provide support for those customers, though, as long as they still have minutes.]]>