The Company (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

The Company

The Company

Leap Wireless International, Inc. ("Leap"), a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries and consolidated joint ventures, is a wireless communications carrier that offers digital wireless services in the United States under the "Cricket^®" brand. Cricket service offerings provide customers with unlimited nationwide wireless services for a flat rate without requiring a fixed-term contract or a credit check. The Company's primary service is Cricket Wireless, which offers customers unlimited nationwide voice and data services for a flat monthly rate. Leap conducts operations through its subsidiaries and has no independent operations or sources of income other than through interest income and dividends, if any, from its subsidiaries.

Cricket service is offered by Cricket Communications, Inc. ("Cricket"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap. Cricket service is also offered in South Texas by the Company's joint venture, STX Wireless Operations, LLC ("STX Operations"), which Cricket controls through a 75.75% membership interest in its parent company STX Wireless, LLC ("STX Wireless"). For more information regarding this venture, see "Note 6. Significant Acquisitions and Other Transactions."

Leap, Cricket and their subsidiaries and consolidated joint ventures are collectively referred to herein as the "Company