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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1



Leap Wireless International Completes Acquisition Of
Operating Licenses in Tennessee

SAN DIEGO, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Wireless communications carrier Leap
Wireless International, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWIN - news) today announced that it has
completed a previously announced acquisition of substantially all of the assets
of Chase Telecommunications Holdings, Inc. (ChaseTel). The transaction gives
Leap 11 C-Block licenses in Tennessee covering 6.6 million potential customers
(1998 POPs) in markets such as Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.
Leap previously owned 7.2 percent of ChaseTel.

Leap's innovative Cricket(SM) service concept was introduced in Chattanooga and
Nashville, Tenn., by ChaseTel under an agreement that provided that ChaseTel
controlled the business until Leap's acquisition of ChaseTel was complete.
Cricket service, which lets customers make virtually unlimited phone calls in
their local service area, is designed to change the way people communicate by
bringing affordable wireless communications to the U.S. mass consumer market.

"Given the overwhelming response to Cricket service in its first two markets,
we believe that our simple, affordable wireless service truly has been well
received," said Susan G. Swenson, president and chief operating officer of
Leap, and president and CEO of Cricket Communications, a Leap subsidiary.
"We're excited about bringing Cricket to additional markets in Tennessee and
across the United States."

"We are delighted to have played an important role in Cricket's debut," said
Anthony Chase, CEO of ChaseTel. "We look forward to watching Cricket's progress
in the coming years."

As previously announced, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an
order approving Leap's acquisition of ChaseTel in February. A wireless company
has since filed an Application for Review of the FCC order. Leap expects the FCC
order to be upheld and will continue to introduce Cricket service in Tennessee
markets and beyond.


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About Cricket Communications, Inc.

Cricket Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, plans
to change the way people communicate by bringing wireless communications to the
U.S. mass consumer market. Cricket's service concept, called Comfortable
Wireless and the around-town phone, is currently offered in Nashville and
Chattanooga, Tenn. Cricket service lets customers make virtually unlimited calls
in their local service area and receive calls from anywhere for one low, flat
rate. Cricket's service also allows customers to make long distance calls by
paying for these calls in advance. While roaming is not available, the local
service area provides coverage where people live, work, and play. For more
information, please visit www.cricketcommunications.com.

About Leap Wireless International, Inc.

Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif., is a
wireless communications carrier that deploys, owns and operates wireless
networks in domestic and international markets with strong growth potential. In
conjunction with its strategic partners, Leap has launched all-digital wireless
service in the United States, Mexico and Chile through its operating companies.
Leap is dedicated to bringing the benefits of reliable, cost-effective and
high-quality voice and data services to domestic and emerging markets. For more
information, please visit www.leapwireless.com.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements," including
statements regarding the probability and effects of closing the contemplated
transactions, the markets in which Leap expects to offer Cricket service and the
appeal of the service. Forward-looking statements, which are based upon certain
assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the
Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect,"
"intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project" or similar expressions.
The ability of the Company to predict actual results and other future events is
inherently uncertain. Important factors which may cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein or in other
public statements by the Company are described in the section entitled "Risk
Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1999 and other documents on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Those risk factors include uncertainties relating to costs,
profitability and the ability to raise sufficient capital for continued
expansion and operation.

Cricket, Comfortable Wireless and around-town phone are service marks of Cricket
Communications, Inc.


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