Comments on: Republic Wireless: Everything you need to know

By: jcantu4u

jcantu4u — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:31:23 +0000

when not on wifi…will sprint link make calls to other sprint users “sprint to sprint” (no charge?)

By: I G

I G — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:52:10 +0000

I have signed up for the Beta program since the day of the launch and have still not been notified of being accepted…WHEN will it be opened up???

By: David A. Milman

David A. Milman — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:39:15 +0000

It all depends on the context of “unlimited.” Think of the regular network as a bonus to the standard Wi-Fi operation. Republic is basically offering a new interface that allows you to use Wi-Fi on the go (similar to how Vonage uses the Internet for making calls). To use other apps, you’d still need to have regular cell phone and pay the bill to that carrier. Here’s a fuller breakdown: http://www.rescuecom.com/blog/index.php/rescuecom/a-mobile-network-that-runs-on-freedom/

By: Dave the Budget Traveler

Dave the Budget Traveler — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:33:22 +0000

Woops, realized I asked my questions on the old article, so I copied it here. Hopefully they get answered.

Brian:
- When on sprint, is tethering included? allowed? If so, subject to reasonable usage I assume, but what would that be? Needing to pay for a separate mifi-type plan on a traditional network would certainly reduce the economic benefits, though I may not be your target customer.
- Keeping non-wifi usage under 550min on average shouldn’t be too hard for most users. 300MB for data may be a bit more difficult for many. I think I use closer to a gig on my AT&T iphone in the typical month and my phone already defaults to wifi when in range for data, so that could be a concern.
- Will the user have root access to the Optimus as shipped? If not, does Republic Wireless care if the user roots?
- There was a hint that the Galaxy II may come to Republic? I assume the issue with the high end phones is how to deal with the high upfront costs without a contract? Or is it that they will likely use more sprint data?
- Of course, if there was a way people could covert their existing CDMA phones, that would open up the market a lot. Does UMA require special hardware of just tailor written firmware? If it is firmware, I’m betting you can get the open source/root community to port this to every capable phone for you for free within weeks.

Interesting to compare the math to getting a 3rd phone on a sprint family plan:
* Sprint Cost for adding an LG Optimus S as the 3rd phone over 24 months $720+tax+stuck in contract
* Sprint Cost for keeping an LG Optimus as the 3rd phone if you are grandfathered without the premium data fee $480+tax over 24 months (the exact case for a family member of mine)
* Revolution Cost for an Optimus over 24 months $555+tax (with early adopter discount)
* Clearly, this is a better deal if you want a low end phone and don’t already have one, but if you have a phone on Sprint without the premium data fee and aren’t using a lot of minutes, keep it.
* Though note that the pricing is close enough that with the lower percent usage on the cell network, if family plan add-ons are profitable for Sprint, Republic won’t be responsible for bankrupting them.
* It will be interesting to see how the math works for a high end phone. How will the incremental cost of $264 (30-19)x24 to stick with Sprint compare to the difference in the actual subsidy offered?

Right now my only reservation is that I would prefer a high end phone and need to be able to tether on occasion, but I really like the concept and I am a big fan of dumb pipes!

By: Bob Woolmer

Bob Woolmer — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:19:15 +0000

Time and again people have asked about whether their current number can be transferred to Republic…and there has been no answer…AMAZING

By: Schmee

Schmee — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:18:46 +0000

Can I keep my old number? If so will there be a way to do it through the website?

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:04:34 +0000

The problem is Sprint’s network is poor to non-existent outside of cities or highways. So if you travel outside of cities your not going to have Sprint’s network to fall back on. Relying solely on wifi in areas where Sprint is not available is not something I would would want to do. The concept is great though. And I would definitely join if I traveled mostly in areas where Sprint is available.

By: Robyn Dee Roborovsky

Robyn Dee Roborovsky — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:14:34 +0000

Republic Wireless offered little more than poor planning, poor management, and all you can eat frustration, on opening day. Credit card information was seemingly shared with a sister but unaffiliated company named Phone Booth Mobile. and invoices issued through Phone Booth Mobile were not honored leaving many angry potential customers. Republic Wireless’ website was subjected to so much traffic in the first 2 days of service that it was mostly inaccesible, those who where finally able to get into the website were subjected to anxiety over purchases assumed to be made only to be told that Republic Wireless was experiencing bugs. Startups can have teething problems, but the magnitutde of the problems experienced by the hopeful who appeared for Republic Wireless bodes ill for this companys future.

By: The Voice on Telecom

The Voice on Telecom — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:58:44 +0000

I’ll be fascinated to see how the whole limits game plays out. I don’t think they are sustainable from a PR point of view once they start kicking people off. And then their whole business model is in question.

http://thevoiceontelecom.blogspot.com/2011/11/republic-wireless-truly-revolutionary.html

By: thecolor

thecolor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:39:50 +0000

for those that were unable to get in on the beta and want to try something similar right away, I just grabbed “GrooVe IP” from the Android Market, and it’s essentially identical.

Here’s the deal… your calls are made over GrooVe IP’s system on wifi or the cellular data network. If for some reason those are not an option, it falls back to the normal cellular system.

The function above works with your Google Voice account and number.

It’s a great way to test it out. If you want to take it to the “Republic Wireless” level (for a bill), then all you have to do (once you’ve setup GrooVe IP) is go pre-paid.

With a pre-paid service and GrooVe IP, you get the hybrid wifi calling that falls back to a cellular network (of your choice) on an Android device now. :)

I’m no sals person, but I love talking about a program that REALLY works!

The program is $4.99 in the market, but it’s TOTALLY worth it!