Republic Wireless $19 unlimited voice, SMS and data service

This is very YMMV. I'll wait and see the reviews when it's in production . . .

great for a new data plan.

thanks

Quote from jay_rm : Since they're buying minutes from SPRINT, I assume they're using SPRINT'S network when WiFi is not available. That will be problematic for those not in larger urban areas as Sprints coverage is lacking in the 'boons.

Thank you but I was actually asking about $50 VZW plan that the ericnmu mentioned. Currently on PPC and extremely happy with the service except for the amount of data which is not enough...

i'm slightly confused...
is this a service or a hardware mod?
WiFi is fine.. but what if u have to roam..

thanks in advance.

Couldn't you just not give your phone the password for your router at home, and thus it would be forced to use Sprint? Just saying, for those who don't like the idea of it using wi-fi.

Wow good deal im gonna keep an eye on this thread.

Quote from TransTeam : i'm slightly confused... is this a service or a hardware mod? WiFi is fine.. but what if u have to roam.. thanks in advance.

They will be your cellular "carrier" (in this case a virtual carrier), just like VZW, ATT, TMO, PPC, VMO, whoever you have now. You will be required to buy a Android phone from them for some yet-to-be-know price.

While it sounds good (and I did give them my email address (gulp)), when it comes to cellular data services, THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH. Anyone claiming to offer truly unlimited data for such a small price should trigger a wallet-grabbing reaction on the part of the consumer...

We'll see. . . .

If it'll roam on VZ, I'll be all over this.

Quote from diabel : Thank you but I was actually asking about $50 VZW plan that the ericnmu mentioned. Currently on PPC and extremely happy with the service except for the amount of data which is not enough...

roger that

Quote from evanautumn : If it'll roam on VZ, I'll be all over this.

If this works like I think, the chances of it roaming ANYWHERE are slim to none. But, we'll see, won't we

"The service, which costs $19 a month, will allow you to make VoIP phone calls over Wi-Fi and will switch to cellular-based calling when a Wi-Fi network is unavailable."

Does this mean that we can't call through the free bandwidth that comes with the plan?

Quote from jay_rm : If this works like I think, the chances of it roaming ANYWHERE are slim to none. But, we'll see, won't we

Well, the wording in the article ("carriers such as Sprint") is what peaked my interest, since VZ only services where I live in the middle of nowhere. lol.

There are so many questions I have about this.

First of all, what's the incentive to ever use wi-fi? Most wi-fi networks are secured. I would rather have my calls routed through a dedicated phone carrier than wi-fi (as would most people. even the best wi-fi goes in and out occasionally.). What's my incentive to ever enter a wi-fi password to allow the phone to use wi-fi? Will this company be using a carrot or stick to encourage consumers to use wi-fi (and thus, reduce the costs for the company). I anticipate there being caveats, especially if the company cannot sign on additional carriers beyond sprint.

Quote from sdexperter : There are so many questions I have about this. First of all, what's the incentive to ever use wi-fi? Most wi-fi networks are secured. I would rather have my calls routed through a dedicated phone carrier than wi-fi (as would most people. even the best wi-fi goes in and out occasionally.). What's my incentive to ever enter a wi-fi password to allow the phone to use wi-fi? Will this company be using a carrot or stick to encourage consumers to use wi-fi (and thus, reduce the costs for the company). I anticipate there being caveats, especially if the company cannot sign on additional carriers beyond sprint.

There will be no incentive offered. Since the software to select systems is part of the OS of the phone, you will have no choice. It's both a carrot AND stick

Since WiFi is (basically) free access, they (the carrier) will not incur any costs if you run on a WiFi network. They will be mooching off someone else's BW just like you do when sitting in Panera or Starbux.

There is NO WAY they can be a reseller of somebody else's data at that price point unless they offload the MAJORITY of it onto free access points. The numbers just don't work.