Leap Appoints S. Douglas Hutcheson as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director; Company Names Dean Luvisa as Acting Chief Financial Officer.

SAN DIEGO -- Leap Wireless International, Inc. (OTCBB:LEAP), a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless communications services, today announced that the Company has appointed S. Douglas ("Doug") Hutcheson as chief executive officer (CEO), president and director. Hutcheson most recently served as the Company's president and chief financial officer (CFO), where he led the Company through its financial restructuring.

"We are very excited to have Doug leading Leap at this very important stage for the Company amid the rapidly evolving wireless communications industry," said Mark H. Rachesky, M.D., Leap's Chairman. "Doug's multifaceted experience, financial expertise and success in creating value make him uniquely suited to lead the Company and to strengthen its role as a leader in the wireless industry. We congratulate him on his new appointment and look forward to his efforts to further increase shareholder value."

Prior to his position as president and CFO of Leap, Hutcheson held several positions with the Company, including executive vice president and CFO, and senior vice president and CFO, a position he assumed in 2002. Hutcheson also held the position of chief strategy officer for Leap. Prior to joining Leap when it was spun-out from QUALCOMM Incorporated in September 1998, Hutcheson established and led the marketing and international operations group in QUALCOMM's wireless infrastructure division. While at QUALCOMM, Hutcheson led multiple teams negotiating financing agreements, equipment purchases and joint ventures throughout the world. Hutcheson earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and obtained a master's degree in business administration from the University of California, Irvine, where he graduated Beta Gamma Sigma.

Leap also announced that the Company has named Dean Luvisa as acting CFO and treasurer. Luvisa, who most recently served as the Company's vice president, finance and treasurer, has been with the Company since 1998. Luvisa was responsible for the recent successful refinancing of the Company's 13-percent notes through its January 2005 credit facilities. As vice president, finance and treasurer, Luvisa was responsible for corporate funding, lender relations, cash management, loan administration and risk management. Prior to joining Leap, Luvisa was director of project finance at QUALCOMM, where he was responsible for vendor financing activities worldwide. Luvisa earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Arizona State University, graduating summa cum laude and an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to Hutcheson's appointment, William Freeman, Leap's previous CEO, resigned as an officer and director to pursue other opportunities.

"We would like to thank Bill for the contributions he made to Leap during his tenure with the Company," said Dr. Rachesky. "During this period, Leap emerged from bankruptcy, launched new services and products, and completed the syndication of significant new credit facilities. We wish Bill luck on his future professional endeavors."

The Company also announced that it has initiated a search for a new CFO.

About Leap

Leap, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., is a customer-focused company providing innovative mobile wireless services that are targeted to meet the needs of customers who are under-served by traditional communications companies. With a commitment to predictability, simplicity and value as the foundation of its business, Leap pioneered Cricket(R) service, a simple and affordable wireless alternative to traditional landline service. Cricket(R) service offers customers unlimited anytime minutes within the Cricket(R) calling area over a high-quality, all-digital CDMA network. Operating in 39 markets in 20 states stretching from New York to California, Cricket(R) service is available to customers in more than 840 different municipalities. For more information, please visit www.leapwireless.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains "forward-looking statements" reflecting management's current forecast of certain aspects of Leap's future. Some forward-looking statements can be identified by forward-looking words such as "believe," "think," "may," "could," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "seek," "plan," "expect," "should," "would" and similar expressions. This news release is based on current information, which we have assessed but which by its nature is dynamic and subject to rapid and even abrupt changes. Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to:

--our ability to attract and retain customers in an extremely competitive marketplace;

--our ability to attract, motivate and/or retain an experienced workforce;

--changes in economic conditions that could adversely affect the market for wireless services;

--failure of network systems to perform according to expectations;

--failure of the Federal Communications Commission to approve the transfers to Cricket Licensee (Reauction), Inc. or to ANB License of the respective licenses for which each entity was the winning bidder in Auction #58;

--global political unrest, including the threat or occurrence of war or acts of terrorism; and

--other factors detailed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2004, and in our other SEC filings.

The forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of these risk factors. Investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Leap and the Leap logo design are trademarks of Leap Wireless International, Inc. Cricket is a registered trademark of Cricket Communications, Inc. Cricket +1, Cricket +2, Cricket Unlimited, Cricket Multi Value Plan, and Cricket Clicks are trademarks of Cricket Communications, Inc.