GameStop today announced that it has reached an agreement with AT&T subsidiary Cricket Wireless to offer the company's no-contract phones in more than 2,800 stores across the United States. The announcement of the deal today comes after conclusion of what GameStop described as a "successful trial run" in some test markets.
Beginning next month, GameStop will start selling Cricket Wireless phones and accessories, and you should see the full rollout by the end of October. GameStop president Tony Bartel said the company's decision to offer more no-contract phones (it already sells Net10 Wireless devices) was made to help customers find the "greatest value."
According to GameStop, Cricket Wireless offers a 4G network that covers 98 percent of where Americans already live. Plans start at $35/month. You can see a selection of Cricket Wireless phones at the company's website.
What's unique about GameStop as a cell phone provider is the company's well-known buy-sell-trade model. What this means is you can sell to GameStop your existing phone, a video game systems or games, or another electronic device (like an iPod), and put that credit toward the purchase of a cell phone.
GameStop's involvement in the cell phone space goes deeper than this partnership with Cricket Wireless. Last year, GameStop acquired authorized AT&T retailer Spring Mobile for an undisclosed sum. Though video games remain big business for GameStop, the retailer has also disclosed plans to move beyond games as part of the next evolution of the company, "GameStop 3.0."
Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you ca n follow him on Twitter @EddieMakuch
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