Republic Wireless will offer Moto X for $299 off-contract, unlimited data for $25/mo

[Dankk]

This is big news. Republic Wireless, the MVNO carrier known for it's impressively-cheap cell phone planes, is soon going to offer the Moto X on their service.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/19/4748032/republic-wireless-moto-x-off-contract-price-launch

There is a catch. Republic Wireless uses CDMA devices on Sprint's network, and you can't bring your own phone. Rather, their special phones are pre-programmed to use WiFi for phone calls and text (but of course it will hand-off to cellular when WiFi isn't in range). As a result you can only use the one phone they have available on their website.

But now, Republic Wireless customers will have the opportunity to use a phone that doesn't suck. You will soon be able to use a brand new Moto X with all the bells and whistles on your cheap cell phone service.

I'm seriously considering moving from Straight Talk, cutting my cell phone bill in half, and getting a shiny new phone in the process. Extremely tempting. I hope this company succeeds.

 

[TechSavage]

I hope this phone/service combination is better than my suck ass republic defy xt. The defy xt on their service drops calls left and right.

 

[openwheel]

Incredible value. I would get this if I diet have a company phone.

 

[bearxor]

This would be way better than the Defy XT and a great price for the no-contract Republic Wireless.

 

[desura]

Huge. I will have to consider it...

 

[dguy6789]

Nice for sure. I'm not sure I think saving $20 a month is worth going from ATT's network to a Sprint no roam network.

 

[ponyo]

Interesting. I'm wondering if this proves the US big 4 carriers forced Motorola/Google to price Moto X off contract at $600 so they could sell it subsidized at $200. I seriously doubt Republic Wireless is subsidizing Moto X at $300.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I think the "unlimited data" over your own wifi is a pretty funny sales pitch.
I don't see any mention on how much data you get over 4G though. Nice price on the phone, but I don't think I'd switch from my $30 a month 5GB T-Mobile plan for this.

 

[Crono]

I would maybe consider this for supplemental data, considering that I often go over 5GB on AT&T and would love to use more.

But I certainly wouldn't switch to Sprint or any of their MVNOs until they get better network infrastructure and faster speeds where I live and work. I was considering Republic Wireless before I switched from Verizon to AT&T, but the difference in networks made me go with AT&T.

That pricing for the Moto X and unlimited data is tempting, though.

 

[bearxor]

I think the "unlimited data" over your own wifi is a pretty funny sales pitch.
I don't see any mention on how much data you get over 4G though. Nice price on the phone, but I don't think I'd switch from my $30 a month 5GB T-Mobile plan for this.

It's unlimited over cellular. It used to be capped at a couple hundred MB a day or something but they reversed that policy late last year I think.

I think they still have some kind of AUP in place and I haven't seen if anybody's been hit by it yet.

 

[Ravynmagi]

It's unlimited over cellular. It used to be capped at a couple hundred MB a day or something but they reversed that policy late last year I think.

I think they still have some kind of AUP in place and I haven't seen if anybody's been hit by it yet.

Their website says "unlimited talk, text and data over wifi, plus 4G cellular". So I'm doubtful about about unlimited data over 4G.

The word "unlimited" gets misused so much by the cellular industry that I have zero trust when it's used.

 

[corkyg]

I would never go back to the Sprint network no matter how cheap. I'd rather pay more and be confident that I could connect when I travel.

 

[mikegg]

Stay the hell away from anything Sprint.

Their CDMA 3G network is a joke. I routinely get lower than 56k speeds and it doesn't even work often.

Their 4G LTE network is also a joke. Speeds varies between 1Mbps to 15Mbps. It's mostly at the lower end. Coverage is extremely spotty. It doesn't even work in downtown San Francisco.

And then there's the calling. I have to use an Airwave at home just to get a decent signal. Otherwise, I won't receive calls and texts.

I never had any of this problem on AT&T. I will switch back to AT&T as soon as I get out of my contract.

DO NOT SIGN UP FOR SPRINT.

 

[midwestfisherman]

I think the "unlimited data" over your own wifi is a pretty funny sales pitch.
I don't see any mention on how much data you get over 4G though. Nice price on the phone, but I don't think I'd switch from my $30 a month 5GB T-Mobile plan for this.

Unlimited as I understand it.

 

[Dankk]

Unlimited as I understand it.

What he means to say is that there's probably a hidden soft-cap, or "shadow cap" where - despite being advertised as "unlimited" - they begin throttling you or capping your data after a certain amount, like most cell phone carriers seem to do these days.

I wouldn't put it past them. I don't rely very heavily on wireless data usage though so I'm not worried about it.

 

[bearxor]

I've done some more reading on Republic since I've not paid attention in a couple of years. What I can gather is that it is really unlimited as long as you're doing things you'd normally do with a phone. That means no tethering, torrenting, etc...

$25/mo on Sprints LTE network could be a pretty good deal if you have good coverage.

 

[lopri]

I know Sprint's data network is lacking, but how are their voice networks and SMS? Are those reliable?

 

[mikegg]

I know Sprint's data network is lacking, but how are their voice networks and SMS? Are those reliable?

No, they are not. It's just as bad. Poor reception. Sometimes I don't get SMS or get it very late.

Basically, Sprint contributed to me and my GF breaking up because we didn't get each other's texts all the time. It's that bad.

 

[Bman123]

I've got a big idea and if it works I'll tell everyone here about it, when does this come out so I can try it?

 

[bamx2]

I wonder if the phone can be flashed to VZW (or VZW MVNO) if one finds the RW/Sprint service unacceptable .

No, they are not. It's just as bad. Poor reception. Sometimes I don't get SMS or get it very late.

Basically, Sprint contributed to me and my GF breaking up because we didn't get each other's texts all the time. It's that bad.

 

[desura]

No, they are not. It's just as bad. Poor reception. Sometimes I don't get SMS or get it very late.

Basically, Sprint contributed to me and my GF breaking up because we didn't get each other's texts all the time. It's that bad.

Please, do tell

 

[thedosbox]

I know Sprint's data network is lacking, but how are their voice networks and SMS? Are those reliable?

No, they are not. It's just as bad. Poor reception. Sometimes I don't get SMS or get it very late.

Unless the two of you live in the same area, I wouldn't rely on senttoschool's advice. Quality of wireless service is going to vary drastically dependent on your location.

Basically, Sprint contributed to me and my GF breaking up because we didn't get each other's texts all the time. It's that bad.

If your relationship success is dependent on SMS, you're doing it wrong.

 

[bearxor]

Sprint's coverage is totally dependent on your area. I used SPCS in Houston for 3 years and didn't have any issue. I used it in Charlotte for 8 years with no issue. I only switched to AT&T for an iPhone and have seriously contemplated going back.

 

[kyrax12]

No, they are not. It's just as bad. Poor reception. Sometimes I don't get SMS or get it very late.

Basically, Sprint contributed to me and my GF breaking up because we didn't get each other's texts all the time. It's that bad.

You guys broke up after not receiving texts all the time?!

What the...

 

[chadashcroft22]

Lots of misinformation you can't get 4g lte unless you are on the 40 dollar plan which makes it less of a stellar deal.

You can't flash this to another carrier because it will be locked down like a medieval castle.

They have quite a few customers complaining about dropped calls when the handoff from wifi to cellular data happens.

Currently they support mms but only on sprint, obviously, and the other carriers are very likely to never turn it on for them seeing as they are the competition.

I don't want people to switch before they know all the negatives right now.