20 years ago very few people saw the potential that the mobile phone space could have. Many saw it as an expensive luxury for the uber-rich and Zach Morris. Today, everyone has a mobile phone; They’ve permeated our everyday life in such a short time, like few technologies have been able to do. The thing that has remained unchanged though is the price, they still cost a pretty penny. At the cheapest, for an unlimited plan on one of the top carriers in the country, you’re still paying close to $100 a month for service. A new company called Republic Wireless is looking to change that.
Republic Wireless is a new mobile phone provider that is offering unlimited service for only $19 a month by harnessing the one thing many of us have access to…WiFi. The provider uses WiFi whenever possible to make and receive calls, avoiding the need for a permanent 3G network. When a WiFi network isn’t available, the Sprint network acts as a fall back. Republic Wireless will monitor your usage using their Cell Usage Index (CUI) and if your mobile network usage goes over a predefined amount (Republic Wireless’ website doesn’t expressly say what that amount is. Just that “you could consume 550 minutes, send 150 texts, and download 300 megabytes of data without crossing the community’s fair use threshold”) the service will give you time and tips to bring your usage down to acceptable levels. If you consistently go over the ‘fair use threshold’, Republic Wireless will point you to a traditional service provider that will better suit your needs.
Right now the service is in beta, but is open for those that want to join and lower your cell phone bill. Right now the only phone available on the network is the LG Optimus, modified for ‘hybrid calling’ (the term that Republic Wireless uses to describe its call system). While it’s not the newest or hottest phone it’s definitely not an original Motorola Razr. Users will also need to make sure that they have the bandwidth to use the service, as the site calls for at least 80kbps both ways to ‘hold a call’.
I know this type of plan isn’t for everyone, but for some it’s perfect! I would guess that 80% of the places that I frequent have available WiFi, and when i’m at home or work I usually use WiFi anyways, so keeping my usage below their ‘fair use threshold’ probably wouldn’t be a problem. I’m surprised that it’s taken until now to find a carrier using WiFi as it’s main back-end, but better late then never. Skype apps are available every mobile platform, but you’re still paying for a standard contract even if you use Skype as your main mode of calling. Yes, it won’t have the latest and greatest phones, but I think that’s a decent trade off to make for the price.
Republic Wireless offers a 30-day money back trial, so if you’re out of contract and want to try it head over to their website. Your first month will cost you $199, that includes the phone and the first month’s service, after that it’s just $19 a month. You can check out RepublicWireless.com for more details.
What do you think? Are you one of the 60% of people that are around a WiFi network at any given time? Would you be willing to ditch your current plan to be a beta user for Republic Wireless?
