With the launch of the new iPhone 6, lots of folks will most likely be renewing their contracted cell phone plans with carriers like AT&T and Verizon. I currently have AT&T and have for many years. I’ve had it so long that my plan still has unlimited data which is rare to come by these days. While I’ve been happy with my coverage and phone, I hate paying $165 per month for my husband and myself and I really hate the fact that we are in a contract. More and more cell phone companies are doing the “no contract” thing to attract more buyers and it seems to be working out well for them; If only the larger carriers could get on board with this.
Republic Wireless offers non-contracted cell phone plans starting at just $5 per month. No, really. Plus, they offer sweet phones at great prices. How? Read on…
“Our mission at Republic Wireless is simple: to make enjoying the features of a smartphone more affordable and accessible for everyone. Through Hybrid Calling technology (that’s WiFi + cellular), we’re able to offer our customers remarkable mobile service plans at unheard of rates. You see, WiFi is cheap and plentiful while cellular (especially data) is more scarce and much more expensive. By relying on our members to use the cheap and plentiful WiFi wherever it’s available, we’re making great progress on our mission—delivering a mind blowing total cost of ownership that’s leaving a lot of folks scratching their heads (happily!).”
How does Republic’s Hybrid Calling technology work?
Well, it starts with the (true) premise that anything a cell network can do, the Internet can do better and cheaper. A truly smart smartphone should make a habit of using WiFi for everything. Surfing. Texting. Sharing. And, yes, even talking.
Where most of the smartphones on the market today spend a good portion of their time on WiFi—in homes, schools and offices—consumers don’t see the benefit of that “cellular data offload” on their monthly bills. And cell data is expensive.
Republic Wireless turns the traditional cellular model on its head. Our phones use WiFi first, with cellular as the backup network. That model saves Republic, and its members, a whole lot of money. We’re talking hundreds (and often thousands) off their annual “big carrier” smartphone bills.
Are Republic phones just “WiFi” phones? What if there’s no WiFi available?
Absolutely not. Our phones work on both WiFi and cellular, depending on the plan you choose. Republic Wireless offers a smartphone that is like any other in all the important ways. When you don’t have access to WiFi, everything still works great over the nationwide cellular network (unless you’ve selected the $5/month WiFi only plan). The difference between Republic’s smartphones and the ones you’d buy through another carrier is that our phones are optimized to use the WiFi all around you. For example, when you’re on WiFi, just dial, and your call is connected through the Internet – fast, clear, and low cost. There are no required app downloads or extra steps.
Can I keep my old number?
Yes, in most cases, you can. We offer the ability to transfer numbers to and from our service. To find out if your specific number can be transferred over to us, try our Number Transfer Checker. The best part is that you don’t have to transfer right away. You can try out Republic, and transfer your number whenever you’re ready.
The NapTime Reviewer’s Thoughts and Experience with Republic Wireless
I’ve been testing my Republic Wireless service out at home, on-the-go, up in the mountains and all around my area and so far the coverage has been just as good as my AT&T coverage. At home, I connect to WiFi and I try to connect to WiFi at any homes or facilities I go to. When I’m not on WiFi, the phone uses 3G to send texts and make calls. The calls have been clear and I have not experienced any dropped calls like I do with AT&T.
The Moto X phone is super user-friendly (just as much as the iPhone), takes awesome pictures and videos and does everything I need it to do. I use my phone a TON to take family photos and photos/videos for the blog, to get on social media and to manage my emails. This is really all I do on my new Moto X but I have downloaded a few apps for my daughter to play with.
What I Love Most About Republic Wireless
– No contract
– Cheap plans
– I can change plans up to two times during my billing cycle
– Trendy phones
– No hidden fees
– Great idea for teens
Disclosure: I received a free phone and 3-months of cell phone coverage from Republic Wireless to test it out in my area and facilitate my review. Any opinion expressed in this article is based on my experience with the brand and is not influenced by compensation. This post contains my personal referral link which allows me to earn a $20 credit for each new customer I refer.
GIVEAWAY
Republic Wireless has graciously provided us with a Google Chromecast to offer one lucky reader. Simply enter using the Rafflecopter form below and we will choose one winner after 9/29/14. Good luck!
Before you enter, please take a minute and vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking the icon below.
About $50.
mcfallsk8er[at]aim[dot]com
I'm on a family plan w four lines, its $290 a Mon. All smart phones.
I think my hubby pays $110 for three lines? I don't do the finances, but I think that's what I heard him say last time we talked about it.
We have a family plan f for 4 lines and we pay about $225.00 a month, this is the first time i hear about republic wireless and i would love a no contract plan !
I pay far too much $140.00 for two lines.
I also have republic wireless so I pay $10!
hubby and I pay around $145 for the 2 of us, but this sounds like a great deal since we are looking for a phone for our daughter!
$20 a month but that's because i'm on my sister's plan. i could afford this so i can switch to my own plan!
we pay $250 for 3 phones
My plan is about 70 a month
I pay $200 a month for 4 phones!
Fiona N
We pay about $180 for 3 phones.
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
About $50
Approx $120 month.
good one