Android News
$19 dollars for unlimited cell phone service? Republic Wireless has gone crazy.
November 8, 2011 | by Andrew Kameka
Carriers
UPDATE: Republic Wireless is unclear on what “unlimited” means. Language on the website paints a picture that it may not be truly unlimited. Article updated to reflect that important difference.
Most people who lived in the New York metro area probably remember Crazy Eddie, an overly excited man who dropped prices so low he must have been crazy. Well, it seems Eddie must have gone into the cell phone business because Republic Wireless is launching its service for $19.
Yes, $19.
Republic Wireless promises new customers that it will provide unlimited calling, text, and data for only $19 per month. No contracts, no complicated calling plans, and no overage fees. Give Republic $19 and it will give you an LG Optimus One-style phone and unlimited calling, texting, and data.
Craz…I mean, Republic Wireless is able to do this because it is not a traditional service provider. The way it works is that Republic issues consumers a specially-built LG Optimus phone that is optimized to rely on Wi-Fi calling. Wherever a Wi-Fi network is available, users can make and receive calls, send messages, or browse the web. When Wi-Fi isn’t present, the phone falls back onto the Sprint 3G network. Republic Wireless believes that Wi-Fi penetration is vast enough to meet most user demands, and having the option to use 3G when it’s not will be a distinctive advantage over other Wi-Fi calling services.
Republic is offering dirt-cheap calling and data plans at a quarter of what the bigger carriers charge. Being unable to bring high-end devices from HTC or Samsung at the moment means heavy hitters probably won’t find this feasible. It would take a higher class of smartphone to make me switch, but for the budget concious, Republic may actually be worth giving a shot. The company is launching with a “risk-free 30 day guarantee” that will refund the $199 plus tax costs for purchasing a phone and starting service.
UPDATE: Republic Wireless is not very clear on what it defines as unlimited. The company claims “There’s no catch” and that it is unlimited, however it has “fair use” guidelines to monitor how much 3G data you use (Wi-Fi is unlimited). Republic will send you messages to show how to use less cellular data, but says it will “never charge you overages, limit your download speeds, or restrict you to calling circles,” but then what’s the point of “fair use” guidelines? If there’s no punishment to fear, what’s to stop customers from using up as much cellular data as they want?
Thanks, FelisLachesis
great news!
sounds like a winner; more competition is always a good thing.
According to Android Central: http://www.androidcentral.com/republic-wireless-great-idea-thats-not-quite-there-yet While not on Wifi, you’re limited to 550 minutes, 150 SMS messages, and 300MB data monthly while on Republic Wireless’ 3G network. If you go over, it gets even funnier (also from Android Central via Republic Wireless) First, you’ll be reminded of the guidelines and to what extent you’ve crossed the fair use threshold. We’ll provide you with tips for reducing your cellular footprint and plenty of opportunity to get back on track. When we contact you about your usage, we’ll let you know how much time you have to correct your problem.
$19 for the whole unlimited service? Sounds great. But I can't keep myself from thinking the real plan of Republic Wireless. Business is still business. The company won't launch a thing if it doesn't have enough guarantee to reap profits afterwards. My recent post 7FT Gundam – Ultimate Papercraft
ok thanks
Actually the site is pretty clear on what is going to happen if you use too much cellular data: "So, over time, if you don’t bring your CUI back into a reasonable range, we’ll help you find a more suitable, traditional cellular carrier." Basically I read it as they have the right to terminal your service in that case.
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