WASHINGTON, Sept 4, 2007 (AFP) - US wireless firm MetroPCS launched a bid Tuesday for Leap Wireless, saying a merger would create a fifth national mobile carrier in the United States.

Dallas, Texas-based MetroPCS said the stock swap offer was worth 7.5 billion dollars, including two billion dollars in debt assumption.

'We believe that the combination of MetroPCS and Leap is extremely compelling and will create significant value for the stakeholders of both companies,' said Roger Linquist, MetroPCS' chairman and chief executive.