Leap in Deal With Lucent

Leap Wireless International Inc. said it will buy $900 million of equipment and services from No. 1 phone-equipment maker Lucent Technologies Inc. The services and equipment, including switches, will be used by Leap unit Cricket Communications Inc., which lets customers make local calls and receive calls from anywhere for a flat rate of $29.95 a month. This agreement adds $570 million to a $330-million contract Leap signed in September with Lucent. The length of the contract wasn’t disclosed. Cricket offers service to about 46,000 customers in Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn. San Diego-based Leap said it plans to provide Cricket service in eight more markets by the end of the year and in 35 markets by the end of 2001. Leap shares rose $1.69 to close at $46.94 on Nasdaq. Shares of Murray Hill, N.J.-based Lucent fell $2.69 to close at $56.50 on the NYSE.