Republic Wireless is now shipping out the phones many have pre-ordered, and the $19 monthly hybrid network is up and running, ready to go. After a beta period where users had a chance to try a modified LG Optimus One, the retail Motorola Defy XT units will soon be in customers hands, including ours.
This isn't about specs, or playing the high-end phone of the month game. This is geared towards folks who want reliable service from their smartphone, and don't want to pay 75 to 100 dollars a month for it. Republic offers unlimited voice, text, and data for the $19 monthly fee, and the handset itself has an up front cost of $249, making a years service cost just $477 -- about five months worth of service from one of the big four on a contract.
It works by using a hybrid tech of VoIP and cellular for voice, text, and data. When you're in range of a Wifi hotspot or router, you use it for calls and data. When you're not in Wifi range, you are using the Sprint 3G network. There is nothing for the end user to fiddle with, it just works. It's something new and disruptive, and something that is new and disruptive is exactly what the US telco situation needs.
We're very curious how well this new system is going to work, and our demo unit is out for delivery. I'll be seeing how it all handles things in various settings and locations, and see what it takes to break it. Here's hoping Republic can shake up the status quo a little bit. There's a video and press release after the break, and you can learn more at the link below.
More: Republic Wireless
Low Cost WiFi Smartphone from Republic Wireless With Unlimited Data, Text and Voice Shipping Now
Just in time for the holidays, Republic Wireless now shipping WiFi smartphones nationwide that offer unlimited data, text and voice service for $19 per month, well below prevailing market rates.
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) December 12, 2012
A much-anticipated Wi-Fi smartphone plan that costs just $19 per month became widely available today as Republic Wireless began nationwide shipments of a new breed of smartphones. The service is already a hit with holiday shoppers looking for no-contract service that delivers value and performance.
The plan offers unlimited data, text and voice for $19 per month, a small fraction of the average monthly wireless phone bill. Republic Wireless keeps rates low with a Hybrid Wi-Fi cellular Calling network that uses a combination of home, office and public hot spot Wi-Fi as its primary network and the nationwide network of Sprint when Wi-Fi is not available.
Republic Wireless CEO David Morken said the launch follows a year of intensive work by his team, which included beta testing with thousands of subscribers. He said the past year’s work has provided strong validation that the company’s Wi-Fi-first approach is a winner.
Market data supports Wi-Fi Smartphone for talking and texting as well as data.
“We saw Wi-Fi becoming ubiquitous and cheap, while cellular spectrum has become increasingly expensive and controlled from the top,” Morken said. “So we set out to invert the status quo, by routing as much as possible – voice, text, and of course data, over Wi-Fi whenever possible. When Wi-Fi is not available, our smart phone works just like a regular phone on the nationwide network of Sprint.”
The WiFi smartphone is poised to be a disruptive force in the wireless industry. The Wireless Broadband Alliance reports worldwide public hotspots continue to increase rapidly, and an April 2012 report from industry analyst firm Strategy Analytics estimates 61% of all US households currently have Wi-Fi networks installed at home.
“This is a story about the way smartphones should be – a smart phone with a smarter phone plan. Republic Wireless is all about providing great benefits and returning value to consumers with a Wi-Fi smartphone,” Morken adds.
Republic Wireless is shipping the Motorola DEFY XT, available for $249 on the company’s website, plus a $10 start-up fee and applicable taxes. The plan is pay-as-you-go, with unlimited data, text and voice calls, backed up by a 30-day money back guarantee.
The dual-band Android CDMA handset features a 3.7-inch Corning® Gorilla® Glass display, VGA webcam, and 4x digital zoom camera with auto-focus and LED flash. It is compact and lightweight and delivers rugged, water-resistant performance.
Republic Wireless offers quick and simple signup for the game-changing WiFi smartphone on its website, where purchasers click on buttons to select the phone, set up their phone number and proceed to checkout.
About Republic Wireless
Republic Wireless, a division of Bandwidth, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, is spearheading a wireless freedom movement to return value and control of the smartphone experience to members by leveraging the power of Wi-Fi and an engaged community of users. Republic Wireless offers truly unlimited data, text, and voice service for $19 per month, with no contract. Our Hybrid Calling uses Wi-Fi in the home, office or anywhere else as the primary network for calls, texts and data. When outside of Wi-Fi coverage, the smartphone works just like a typical cellphone on the national cellular network of Sprint. Visit https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-100048248-12285372-1452031909000%3Fsid%3DUUacUdUnU28572%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Frepublicwireless.com%252F&token=yACnB01C for more information.
