Leap Wireless International, the parent company of Cricket Communications, announced it will begin offering its Cricket unlimited wireless services in the greater St. Louis area starting today.

The St. Louis network covers an area of more than 3,280 square miles extending from Warrenton, Mo., to Keyesport, Ill., and includes approximately 2.5 million new covered points of presence (POPs), bringing Cricket’s national covered POPs to approximately 61.7 million.

“The St. Louis area launch marks our fourth new market launch in just two months’ time and meets our goal of launching approximately 8 million covered POPs by mid-year,” said Doug Hutcheson, president and CEO of Leap, in a statement. “As we continue to bring our leading-edge unlimited wireless services to new markets, we are once again well on our way to potentially doubling the size of our Cricket business. We are also continuing the deployment of our unique broadband product in St. Louis and we expect our Cricket services will be popular with area residents who are demanding high-value services at affordable prices.”

As of today, Cricket service will be available in the St. Louis area at nine Cricket retail stores and more than 80 authorized dealers. St. Louis Cricket customers will be able to choose from a wide variety of rate plans, ranging from $30 to $60 a month, featuring an assortment of options including unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance and nationwide roaming minutes.

Customers also will be able to experience high-speed mobile broadband by purchasing Cricket Wireless Internet Service for one low, flat rate with no long-term commitments or credit checks. Cricket Wireless Internet Service is available for $40 a month for unlimited usage, and customers who also have Cricket mobile phone service receive a $5 discount and pay just $35 each month.