AT&T Mobility plans to shutter its new Aio Wireless pre-paid brand if its ongoing takeover of San Diego-based wireless operator Leap Wireless (including Cricket Communications) comes to fruition, Fierce Wireless reports. The website quotes a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing which reads: ‘After the transaction’s close, AT&T intends to combine the nascent operations of Aio with Leap’s existing operations under the Cricket brand name’.
AT&T launched Aio Wireless in June 2013 in a handful markets across the country, and then took the offering nationwide last month. The unit has more than 230 stores in states such as Texas, Florida and Georgia, all of which are operated by independent dealers. The Aio brand was initially conceived as a response to Sprint’s Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile brands, as well as the likes of MetroPCS.