Republic Wireless $19 unlimited voice, SMS and data service

Quote from dzap : I'm still thinking Evo 3D. Can't find anything else with a 1.2GHz D/C processor and a 4.3" screen and 8GB storage that is CDMA.

Quote from dzap : ...but..this sounds EXACTLY like an Evo 3D. In which case, I already have one and will be annoyed if they are trying to pawn this off for $500, when I can't even sell mine for $200.

Quote from namlook : It better not be an EVO 3D. I just bought one that was like new for $140.

I believe the "high end" phone will be the HTC Sensation... It matches all the specs...http://technoandroid101.blogspot....d-ics.html
"Posted by "Republic Wireless 101" at Friday, February 10, 2012"

Quote from IWuzBanned : I believe the "high end" phone will be the HTC Sensation... It matches all the specs...http://technoandroid101.blogspot....d-ics.html "Posted by "Republic Wireless 101" at Friday, February 10, 2012"

..I HAVE a HTC Sensation. They are GSM only. The Evo 3D is essentially the CDMA variant of the Sensation.

Quote from desert904 : I have metropcs $25 plan right now , unlimited text/talk. Even though I posted this deal I passed at the time because I had a work cell I was using for free. Come to find out they don't want use to use them so I missed the first beta for RW. I do however have my spot reserved for this time around. Willing to give them a try.

Didn't realize metro had a 25 plan. Thought they started at 35 (40-$5 family). Interesting.

That said, they don't have coverage at my work. Tried them for a week.

Thanks.

I have been using two of the first beta's that came out last year. They work fine. The call quality could be better but for $19 its a deal.
I cant wait to end my $80 att contract and go back until a new iphone comes out.

I'm also disappointed in the potential price points of these phones.
I want the Galaxy S II, but I'm not willing to pay $500 for one.
The S III is coming out and the brand new (ebay) prices for the S II will soon be in the $200 range.

here's a good news report on republic wireless for those that don't know much about it and don't want to read 40 pages of posts.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2012...ilability/

Quote from fullmetal : here's a good news report on republic wireless for those that don't know much about it and don't want to read 40 pages of posts. http://www.androidpolice.com/2012...ilability/

Engadget is such full of crap (with their phone predictions), partially because it was written by Daniel Cooper who is based in the UK, where NO CDMA networks exist and he listed ALL GSM-only devices.

My predictions actually make sense.

i never expected republic wireless to start a rumor mill.

Quote from fullmetal : i never expected republic wireless to start a rumor mill.

I am willing to bet that I get at least the low-end right, mid-range maybe, only the high-end am I still sketchy about because of the 7MP camera thing.

if you do, send me a message or something and i'll congratulate you (sincerely; i know this might sound a bit sarcastic).

Quote from dzap : I am willing to bet that I get at least the low-end right, mid-range maybe, only the high-end am I still sketchy about because of the 7MP camera thing.

Yeah, you might be right on those. The only doubt I have is that they use a ton of CM Code in their OSes, which would lead me to believe that they would use a CM supported [cyanogenmod.com] or Unofficial CM Ported [cyanogenmod.com] phone, of which neither of those are (The Optimus has been unofficially ported). I really doubt that they would port CM to a device on their own so they could use it (I could be wrong though).

And I'm really hoping that the entry level phone isn't that Huawei. Reviews make it seem to be a step down from the optimus...

EDIT: I found a build for the Ascend II [playfuldroidz.com], but WIFI is broken in it which defeats the purpose of Republic to begin with... Plus it hasn't been updated for months.

I'm wondering how many RW users there are right now? And are they happy with the service?

Is this company going to make it? Don't want to invest a few hundred and they close the door in a few months...

Just a caveat emptor regarding RW and their taxes and fees:

They offer ZERO transparency on what they actually charge in fees (even when asked directly, they only will give you a lump sum for "fees and surcharges"; they won't give you a breakdown of what comprises that total), and they charge a LOT more than Virgin Mobile does.

Not only is the amount RW charges proportionally higher, but the flat amount is higher... on a lower plan cost.

For comparison, I am grandfathered under Virgin's $25 plan (now only retainable as long as you don't change phones). I have my credit card on file with Virgin Mobile, the same way I would with RW. No discount top-up cards or any of that stuff. Comparable billing methods under both plans.

For reference, I live in Illinois.

Virgin Mobile:

$25.00 + $0.38 (e911) + $1.88 (sales tax) = $27.26

$2.26 taxes and fees on a $25 plan = 9.04% effective tax/fee rate.


Republic Wireless:

$19.00 + $1.22 (federal tax) + $1.33 (state tax) + $2.52 ("fees and surcharges") = $24.07

$5.07 taxes and fees on a $19 plan = 26.68% effective tax/fee rate.


So even to the same state, RW is charging WAY more than VM does.

Wondering if this is the right deal for me...

T-mobile I can do four phones with data etc... for about $135 a month. Value plan and emp discount.

RW will cost me around $100, NO 4G and what if they fail... i will have 4 expensive paper wights...

Thoughts...?