As small mobile virtual network operators continue to look for ways to steal subscribers from major nationwide wireless carriers, low-cost unlimited plans are often the go-to move for attracting attention. New MVNO entrant Republic Wireless is going to be hard to compete at the low end of the price spectrum though, and the virtual carrier’s $19 “unlimited everything” service is now live across the country.
The MVNO announced on Wednesday that it has begun fulfilling orders and shipping its version of the Motorola DEFY XT complete with tweaked software that bounces calls and data between Wi-Fi networks and Sprint’s (S) cellular network, favoring the former to keep costs low. The Android-powered DEFY XT is just $249 with no commitment and it is the only handset Republic Wireless offers. Republic’s press release follows below.
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.
