The smartphone for the service is the ($149.99). It runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and has a 1.4GHz processor, four-inch FWVGA display and eight-megapixel camera.

Two additional phone models will be available for the service at the end of the month, RadioShack said.

In teaming up with Cricketwhich made headlines earlier this year when it began selling RadioShack is becoming what's known in the telcom industry as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), or a company that uses a carrier's network service and brands it as its own.

MVNOs have a checkered track record at best. Both and tried the approach and eventually abandoned it. Of course, neither ESPN nor Disney has the retail network4700 company stores, 1100 dealer and franchise shops and 1500 wireless phone centersand customer base attracted to economical wireless plans that RadioShack has.

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