View Full Version : Republic Wireless
I'm guardedly excited about this service (http://republicwireless.com/). A short primer (http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/07/republic-wireless-officially-unveils-19month-service-unlimited-everything-no-contracts/):
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Lemurmania/republic_wireless.jpg
bandwidth.com, which provides the VoIP backbone for services including Google Voice and Twilio, is launching an alternative mobile carrier called Republic Wireless. [...] t will cost only $19 a month for unlimited text, data, and voice. It can offer these low rates because its phones use a special ‘Hybrid Calling’ system that relies on Wifi whenever possible, falling back to cellular connections when Wifi isn’t available. The initial cellular partner is Sprint, but Republic is working to use other carriers as fallback options as well. [...]
The first phone being offered by Republic Wireless — which users will need to buy in order to use the service — is a modified version of The LG Optimus, running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). This phone is offered by other carriers and is generally regarded as a solid low-end device (it’s not going to look great next to a Galaxy S II, but it’ll more than suffice for a lot of people). The device will be sold for $199 with no contract, and it will be available at a discounted rate of $99 through November 27 if you use the promo code ‘welcome19′. Again, that’s with no contract — there are no termination fees.
Here are additional details from the press release:
[I]The first month of service bundled with the start up fee
An LG Optimus smartphone running Android 2.3 (“Gingerbread”)
Month-to-month freedom from contracts and termination fees
Unlimited voice minutes
Unlimited text messages
Unlimited data megabytes
Automatic default to Wi-Fi when in range
Automatic Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling over Wi-Fi
Internet protocol texting over Wi-Fi
Nationwide cellular coverage when Wi-Fi isn’t available
No overages or roaming fees, ever
No-risk, 30-day money back guarantee
Thoughts from my brethren Orgahs? I've already applied to be in the beta.
Dang it, I want in (http://www.pcworld.com/article/245293/republic_wireless_19month_unlimited_wireless_service_works_like_a_charm.html).
Once connected to my Wi-Fi network, I could make voice calls, surf the Web, send texts and play with apps--easily. The quality of voice calls when connected to my Wi-Fi network was excellent--crystal clear. When connected to the cellular network, call quality was as good as any typical cellphone. [...]
Some jaded mobile market watchers may see Republic's emphasis on community as marketing hype being used to mask a highly restrictive wireless service. For heavy users of cellular networks, that might be the case. But Republic never tries to hide what it's offering and for whom. For many consumers, who want to be part of the smartphone generation, but can't afford the crushing costs of a data plan, Republic is an outstanding alternative.
Question -- why don't more cell companies or start-ups offer this service? Most of us spend 90% of our days around wifi, and yet only RW seems to be serious about taking advantage of this fact. Strange.
Tellos Athenaios
12-02-2011, 18:56
Most of us spend 90% of our days around wifi, and yet only RW seems to be serious about taking advantage of this fact. Strange.
RW works by connecting to available hotspots whenever possible. This has numerous issues, chief among which is that you don't actually own the infrastructure you rely on and therefore you are rather dependent on the prevailing attitude among those who do.
[Y]ou don't actually own the infrastructure you rely on and therefore you are rather dependent on the prevailing attitude among those who do.
Sorta true but sorta not-true; I don't "own" every element of my wireless connection at home, but I do control it. Likewise, the IT department at work is not "owned" by me, but I can negotiate with them.
I don't know that ownership is the right word; let's try "access."
Tellos Athenaios
12-02-2011, 23:03
Sorta true but sorta not-true; I don't "own" every element of my wireless connection at home, but I do control it. Likewise, the IT department at work is not "owned" by me, but I can negotiate with them.
I don't know that ownership is the right word; let's try "access." No, I'm talking about the company. AT & T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile et al own a chunk of infrastructure and have roaming agreements with others. So they know their costs and have contracts to cover the rest. So they have some form of long term security.
RW relies/abuses the goodwill of people running Wifi hotspots to keep its costs down (cost of Wifi is a lot less than the cost of buying capacity from telco). So if a lot/too many of Wifi hotspot owners/operators no longer fancy being RW's provider of cheap bandwidth and decide that either they want some of the pie or that RW isn't welcome on their networks... RW is up a creek without a paddle. Their plan only works if they can offload enough stuff on Wifi to cut costs and recover losses made on stuff delivered over traditional telco networks.
Also, aren't there some inherit security concerns with your phone latching onto any available open wifi network for making calls / transactions?
But I agree that their business model seems to depend on being able to leech other people's bandwidth. That doesn't sound like something I'd want to hitch my wagon to. I like the price and lack of contracts though. :yes:
Tellos Athenaios
12-03-2011, 12:24
Also, aren't there some inherit security concerns with your phone latching onto any available open wifi network for making calls / transactions?
If they don't encrypt the data, there would be. But this is a well understood technical issue and easily mitigated by running a VPN tunnel. It would be rather shocking if RW were so incompetent to not know that. ~;)
If they don't encrypt the data, there would be. But this is a well understood technical issue and easily mitigated by running a VPN tunnel. It would be rather shocking if RW were so incompetent to not know that. ~;)It goes without saying that they'd encrypt their traffic somehow, but it still seems that connecting to any random AP leaves the door open to trouble more than being connected to a network of known cell towers. If the phone doesn't care how it connects to the network, I'd have to think it'd be more susceptible to spoofing or man in the middle type attacks. Additionally I'd think that (deliberately?) misconfigured APs could also cause trouble.
I can't claim to be a security expert, but depending on free/open wifi networks just doesn't sound like a practical (or wise) business model.
Tellos Athenaios
12-03-2011, 23:28
It goes without saying that they'd encrypt their traffic somehow, but it still seems that connecting to any random AP leaves the door open to trouble more than being connected to a network of known cell towers. If the phone doesn't care how it connects to the network, I'd have to think it'd be more susceptible to spoofing or man in the middle type attacks. Additionally I'd think that (deliberately?) misconfigured APs could also cause trouble.
That's not how GSM and derivative connections work, though. The hardware has to scan for available towers -- and latch on to a network. The security provided by GSM is actually optional (phones might warn about this), and even then the A5 algorithm cannot be considered secure against a determined adversary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A5/1
That's not how GSM and derivative connections work, though. The hardware has to scan for available towers -- and latch on to a network. The security provided by GSM is actually optional (phones might warn about this), and even then the A5 algorithm cannot be considered secure against a determined adversary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A5/1I was thinking of CDMA with its PRLs. I forget that much of Europe is still using such backwards technology. :clown:
Indeed, GSM towers have already been spoofed (http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/intercepting-cell-phone-calls/). Comparing Republic to GSM users, I guess it's hard to get too worried on the security front. But you still have the whole notion of being dependent on wifi freeloading for the venture to be a success.
But you still have the whole notion of being dependent on wifi freeloading for the venture to be a success.
A questionable use of the term "freeloading." 95% of my phone time is spent at my home or place of work. To declare that I would be "freeloading" on either of those networks seems silly on the face of it.
A questionable use of the term "freeloading." 95% of my phone time is spent at my home or place of work. To declare that I would be "freeloading" on either of those networks seems silly on the face of it.Home- sure. But unless it's a "work" phone, it would be freeloading at your employer. Most places I've worked at had policies against connecting non-company devices to their network- that includes the wireless network.
The main reason I get calls at work is work. I would assume that's true for most people since they are, you know, at work. So obviously you check with IT about plugging in your phone, and I would expect that 99% would have no problem, given that the streaming requirements of VOIP are so much smaller (http://www.erlang.com/bandwidth.html) than the usual bandwidth hogs (http://devilsworkshop.org/youtube-is-the-top-bandwidth-hog/).
None of this helps if your IT department is managed by self-important, rule-spewing petty tyrants who love to say "no" for the joy of the word itself (and I've seen those situations more than once), but assuming your company has a reasonable policy and a non-trollish IT department, and assuming you intend to use your phone primarily for work, I don't see the disconnect.
-edit-
P.S.: Most businesses I deal with also maintain dual networks now; the company (or internal) one with the servers and so forth, and a "guest" or "public" one for clients/guests to connect straight to the internets, no internal access. If my IT peeps were to declare a VOIP handset to be an unacceptable security risk, I would simply ask to connect to the "guest" network. Problem solved.
Also, given how incredibly wonky and unreliable my company's softphone (http://www.ipblue.com/products_vtgo_m5.asp) is, the IT dept. would have a hard time telling me I can't implement my own workaround. (I already do this, routing calls away from my near-useless company line and directly to my cell.)
Crazed Rabbit
12-05-2011, 02:55
My company doesn't have any wireless. One time clients came with laptops expecting to be able to plug into the wifi...
They also block youtube, totalwar.org, and craigslist. :wall:
And I'm kind of one of the non-IT software people for my department.
Anyways, I like Virgin mobile - $25 for unlimited data, texting, and 300 mins. Limited choice of phones though.
CR
A network security wonk gets his hands on a RW handset and account, and dives in (http://eirev.blogspot.com/).
Short version: don't use it on unencrypted wifi. Long version: Lots of potential fixes if RW cares to make them.
A network security wonk gets his hands on a RW handset and account, and dives in (http://eirev.blogspot.com/).
Short version: don't use it on unencrypted wifi. Long version: Lots of potential fixes if RW cares to make them.
Wow, really? That's worse than I thought.
republic automatically sets up an unsecure SIP session the moment it connects to a wireless networkPretty much anyone who cares to could see who you're calling and listen to both sides of your conversation.
It would be rather shocking if RW were so incompetent to not know that. ~;)Shocked yet?
Tellos Athenaios
01-16-2012, 03:52
Shocked yet?
The “positive” way of looking at it: RW knew alright, but in typical corporate fashion decided not to. Saves costs, and who needs privacy (in the USA) anyway, eh? ~;)
Alternatively: break out those pitchforks... !
But unless it's a "work" phone, it would be freeloading at your employer. Most places I've worked at had policies against connecting non-company devices to their network- that includes the wireless network.
Got into the beta, set up phone, talked to my non-trollish IT department, and they have zero problem with me connecting to the "public" wifi (which is still encrypted, but we give out the keys to clients and visitors).
Likewise, at home my network is (relatively) secured.
So within those networks, my phone convos can be listened to by anyone who really wants to hear it. I can live with that for $19 a month, unlimited everything, no contract.
Pitchforks will have to be procured and utilized by others. I'm happy.
-edit-
Here's the phone you get for the beta (https://community.republicwireless.com/docs/DOC-1253). It's waterproofed and ruggedized. So do they think I'm clumsy, or worse, athletic?
Also, FWIW, I pitched the phone to the head of IT as "new, dangerous, untested technology." This got a laugh and a permission slip.
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=10614&d=1377189450
Lemur ,
Are you still using RW? The price appeal of this is becoming a strong draw when compared to my Verizon plan....
Yep. The service is really getting better, roo, they're ironing out a lot of kinks.
Downside is that you have one whole phone to choose from, and it's running outdated Android.
But if you can tolerate that ... it's all-you-can-eat for $20/month.
Here's how I'm seeing it... currently with Verizon, I have a smart phone and my wife has a dumb phone. Together, with my discounts, I'm paying $118/mo.
With RW, we both get smartphones (albeit not cutting edge) for <$50/mo.... By my maths, we stand to save over $800/yr on RW.
Yeah sure, I lose Verizon's admittedly great network, but I've been places where I don't have a cell signal, but do have wifi- which means my RW phone would work where my Verizon doesn't in some instances. My contract with Verizon ends next June. I think I'll probably make the switch then, if I can't figure out how to do it sooner.
It looks like the RW phones cost $200 each. Are there any coupons/referals/anything to lessen that blow? That would really eat into the first year savings if I had to buy 2...
edit: I also see that you can't text pictures or videos over RW phones??? This could be a sticking point with the wife...
[Lemur had a long response, which the wicked, evil Xiahou deleted when he mixed up the "edit" and "reply" buttons. Bottom line: It's hard out here for a mod (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN0xK6bgQkQ).]
Um, yeah, there's two kinds of carrier for texting (can't for the life of me remember what they're called) and right now RW only supports one. So no texting pics. Which leaves you with emailing, Facebooking, or a hundred other ways to send a pic.
I think as a member I might be able to get a coupon. I will PM you my Real Life email addy, respond at leisure, and let me see what I can find in terms of coupons/referrals/discounts.
Even if I can't source anything, you'll recoup that $400 within six months. So ... I think its SMS & MMS respectively.
By my math, even with my prorated early termination fee, I'd break even in 7 months if I switched. A bigger concern for me is the "wife acceptance factor". I know I'd be fine with a RW phone, but if she found it inconvenient or annoying, we'd have problems. How seamless is the service now? Also, is there any catch you're aware of as to how much non-wifi usage you're allowed? Currently, both my work and home have reliable wifi that I could use. But I have a 45 minute commute each way:sweatdrop: and I like to stream Slacker radio on occasion while commuting (or on other road trips) to break up the monotony.
Regardless, I'm probably a couple months away from making any move. We've been fastidiously holding to a budget (and reaping great benefits from it), which means that we don't make a purchase of that size without planning ahead. Also, rumor has it that new RW phones are on the way....
That's the ticket, thanks, RW network currently supports SMS but not MMS. Although they say they're working on it.
Service is very seamless, from what I've seen and heard. It has made a lot of improvements in the last few months.
When it was starting, Republic made a lot of noise about usage and how they reserved the right to terminate people who hogged cell time and wouldn't moderate.
All of that talk has stopped. I think Republic has come to realize that the vast majority of users are using the phones primarily on Wifi, so there's just no issue. Haven't seen anyone bring it up in ages.
As for the MMS thing, this is the most recent info (http://mashable.com/2013/06/23/unlimited-smartphone-plan/) I found:
"Republic is upfront about one catch to its approach: It doesn’t support multimedia messaging. Trying to dispatch a picture or video message to a Republic number is just like trying to send an MMS to a Google Voice number; the message stalls out at the 'sending' phase and eventually fails with an error saying it could not be sent. Fixing this will require other carriers to support an updated MMS specification."
Also, rumor has it that new RW phones are on the way....
Gah! Spill the beans! I've been aching for a newer version of Android for months and months!
Here's the original announcement (https://community.republicwireless.com/blogs/republic/2013/03/01/state-of-the-republic-v-1-issue-25), waaaay back from March.
Other than that, I've only hear rumors (https://community.republicwireless.com/thread/11013). But they seem to suggest a new phone as early as September.
EDIT:I found this on their blog (https://community.republicwireless.com/blogs/republic).
We’ve spent nearly two years on this problem, figuring out how to apply our unusual approach in an industry that doesn’t prioritize updating already released phones. And tomorrow we’ll discuss what we’ve learned and how we can apply those learnings to the new phones (whose names we will not reveal this week) and the DEFY XT.Sounds like we'll get some news about the Defy tomorrow.... and something about new phones next week?
Tsar Alexsandr
08-23-2013, 08:00
I literally just bought a phone with these guys.
Awesome. Give us your impressions once you get to try it out...
Sounds like we'll get some news about the Defy tomorrow.... and something about new phones next week?
You know, if they could just find a way to give me a more current version of Android, I'd be happy. My only real complaint about the Defy is the camera, and I can work with that by ... carrying a separate camera. This is why God invented messenger bags for dads (http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/shop/category/messenger-bags).
A new phone might or might not be worth the coin to upgrade. But bringing the Android version into semi-current condition ... yes please.
Tsar Alexsandr
08-24-2013, 03:32
Well as this is my first phone ever, it serves me well. The one issue is it does tend to have problems once you get away from wi-fi. It actually stopped working for a while because I was doing something on the computer at the same time. But our internet is really bad, so I don't fault the phone for that. Other than that I haven't had too many problems. And who doesn't have wi-fi connections these days?
Here's what you do when faced with a terrible wifi connection: turn wifi off on the phone. Forces the phone to cell.
Here's what you do when faced with a terrible wifi connection: turn wifi off on the phone. Forces the phone to cell.
According to their latest blog (https://community.republicwireless.com/blogs/republic) posting they're looking at allowing the user to change the Defy's default behavior to call over cellular first, then to wifi when cellular isn't available. That sounds like it'd be a very costly move on their part, but they claim its for customer satisfaction...
One solution that we believe has promise is actually addressing the need for handover itself. If you’ve used our Wi-Fi+ app, you know that it preemptively checks the call quality of a Wi-Fi network before allowing the call to go through as VOIP, otherwise it will send it over cell. We believe we can offer you the option to “reverse” the hybrid calling logic to prefer cell first, Wi-Fi second. Simply put, this would turn your DEFY XT into a traditional cell phone, only with the added benefits of Wi-Fi calling and texting whenever you don’t have cellular coverage. This goes against our core belief of “Wi-Fi is better,” and will definitely cost us financially, but we believe it’s a worthy sacrifice to give all of you so that you can have a better experience.
Tsar Alexsandr
08-26-2013, 03:35
The Wi-Fi was out, but Republic lets you use the Sprint network if the Wi-Fi fails. My mistake. It still works, even when the Republic symbol isn't lit up. I was using it over the Sprint network today.
Well, it's official (https://www.facebook.com/republicwireless?hc_location=stream).
"New phones are coming late this year, but what is gonna happen to the DEFY XT?"
From the comment section:
"In a couple of news interviews about new phones, our CEO mentioned Summer, and then fall, but, due to contractual agreements with our hardware manufacturers, the official release window for new phones is 'later this year.'
You cannot imagine how badly we want to talk about these new devices. Every single post on this page, regardless of topic, has questions about the new phones on it. All we can say until we get the 'ok' from our partners though is 'later this year.' But, everything is right on schedule."
Rumor / Speculation has it that the new phones will likely all be Motorola phones due the Motorola being owned by Google now.
People have been guessing that the MotoX could be the "good" or low end of the new phones. If they can offer that phone at a reasonable price (around the $200 mark), I'll be all over it.
But, this is all speculation at this point... which is all we have to go on ~:(
Tsar Alexsandr
09-10-2013, 23:32
I've been really happy with it so far. I've never owned my own cell phone. The chief selling point is the affordability. Perfectly functional though.
Hot diggity dog. From the RW Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=407831662651936&set=a.147731241995314.22525.132328066868965&type=1):
We've got a big announcement coming...
Tell your friends.
#OhYesWeDid #smartphone #savings
https://i.imgur.com/a7d1A5f.jpg
Sweet. I guess that means they'll be announcing it by Friday at the latest..... in the meantime, let the speculation (http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/09/18/leaked-screenshot-indicates-that-republic-wireless-will-sell-the-moto-x-for-299-off-contract/) continue.
The MotoX for $299? I have mixed feelings about that. It'd be the phone I hoped they'd get, but the price is a bit higher than I'd like to see. If my wife and I both got one, even with the substantial savings we'd get by switching to RW, It'd take almost 10 months to break even. Hmm...
The MotoX for $299? I have mixed feelings about that.
I don't, it's a hell of a bargain, given than an unlocked, no contract Moto X (http://phandroid.com/2013/09/18/moto-x-developer-edition-available-att-t-mobile-verizon/) goes for ~$600. Sounds more like the phone is being offered at (or slightly below) cost.
Big issue for me now is the fact that the company I'm starting up may be paying for corporate phones (we're still deciding on where to allocate the first contract money, which is already in) and we will have to support iOS devices. So ... as much as I love Republic ... I may have to move away.
Sigh.
So, it's official... along with the new pricing/plans. The $10 & $25 plans are of interest to me. $40/mo to have 4G? It just doesn't seem worth it. That's getting close to the monthly pricing of other MVNOs. $10 for unlimited talk/text and wifi only data would be perfect for my wife, and the $25/mo for talk/text/3G would suffice for me.
The next question I have: Is the motoX the good, better, or best phone? RW had been alluding to releasing 3 phones of varying specs/prices... which one is this? Some on the RW forums seem to think this is the "best". Personally, I don't think the motoX is that impressive of a phone- average specs and no SD card (wth???). But, at least if it is the "best" that means the other phones would come in cheaper whenever they're announced.
Edit: Confirmed. (https://community.republicwireless.com/thread/15988?start=15&tstart=0) The MotoX is the "best" phone. Interesting...
I don't really want to pay $600 for 2 new phones right now... but I suppose I could get $130ish for my RAZR Maxx on Glyde or ebay... hmmm.
Big issue for me now is the fact that the company I'm starting up may be paying for corporate phones (we're still deciding on where to allocate the first contract money, which is already in) and we will have to support iOS devices. So ... as much as I love Republic ... I may have to move away.
Congrats. Mind if I ask what field you're in? Also, why is iOS so gosh darned important? I'd need a very compelling reason to walk away from those savings...
Congrats. Mind if I ask what field you're in? Also, why is iOS so gosh darned important? I'd need a very compelling reason to walk away from those savings...
Thanks, man. Eh, it's not official yet, but me and a few other geeks are doing an app and web dev startup in an underserved market. I've been roped in as a founding partner because everybody likes me and I have excellent hair.
Anyway, we're going to absolutely have to support iOS, probably on multiple devices. Testing, developing, generally screwing around. You know the drill. And one of the partners is really keen on racking up some expenses, since right now, on paper, we look like nothing but big streams of cash. (Apparently that's a bad thing.)
-edit-
Talking w. partners about whether or not it would make sense to go halvesies; do half of our phones on ReWi, and the other half on some iOS-supporting carrier. Mulling it over.
I still don't understand why gobs and gobs of cash are so very bad. Sure, you pay tax, but that's not the end of the world. And as a start-up, I'd think having a war chest is a good thing. This whole, "Let's spend more so's we don't owe tax" ... I dunno, I think I want to talk to our accountant about it. Seems like the lesser half of a partial truth.
-edit of the edit-
Any Orgahs who know me on Facebook, please do me the courtesy of not mentioning the start-up over there. We're kinda doing it on the down-low, for a variety of reasons. Probably won't announce it to the world for six months or so.
Two big bug fixes with the new phones/plan: They've solved the wifi-to-cell handoff, which is killer.
And they've mostly solved the MMS texting issue.
So ... very hard to say no to this deal.
Tellos Athenaios
09-21-2013, 00:15
Anyway, we're going to absolutely have to support iOS, probably on multiple devices. Testing, developing, generally screwing around. You know the drill. And one of the partners is really keen on racking up some expenses, since right now, on paper, we look like nothing but big streams of cash. (Apparently that's a bad thing.)
Doesn't mean you have to have the latest and shiniest iOS devices (heck, second hand ones might still be perfectly OK), though, presumably you want a couple of iOS 7 devices and perhaps a couple of one or two iOS revisions back. In any case Android in its various incarnations is the bigger beast right now. All in all buying test hardware adds up to a couple thousand bucks, I'd imagine? You're probably spending more on the plans over time anyway, so it makes sense to buy devices upfront let depreciation work its magic and save money on the contract?
FWIW I also don't fully see how liquidity is a bad thing when you're still trying to get product to market. As of right now I expect your revenue is right about zero (not launched yet) and you don't yet, presumably, know how long its going to take before it receives any uptake that translates into a worthwhile revenue stream. -- You've got to survive in the meantime, and presumably have other mouths to feed.
FWIW I also don't fully see how liquidity is a bad thing when you're still trying to get product to market. As of right now I expect your revenue is right about zero (not launched yet) and you don't yet, presumably, know how long its going to take before it receives any uptake that translates into a worthwhile revenue stream. -- You've got to survive in the meantime, and presumably have other mouths to feed.If the money is just sitting idle- waiting for Uncle Sam to take a bite out of it, then yeah. That's less than ideal. It might be better if you can turn some of it around and reinvest it into the business.
However, that's not an excuse to stupidly squander resources. Better to pay taxes and keep whats left than to blow it all and have nothing. (I should probably point out that I have no formal experience running a business, so take that fwiw.)
On topic... I wonder when we'll hear about the other phones? I'm not 100% sold on the MotoX yet... but the price is still a strong draw.
Also, I've been toying with GoogleVoice VoIP via GrooveIP on my current android phone... and the results have been less than stellar. It works fine at home when no one else is on the wireless but at work where we might have 20k devices on our WLAN... there has been lots of jitter and drops.
I remind myself that GrooveIP is more of a kludge though, whereas RW should have the service dialed in better.
As of right now I expect your revenue is right about zero (not launched yet)
Oh, uh, no. We already have people slinging money at us. I'll explain more later, when we're official and public and all of that.
II wonder when we'll hear about the other phones?
Are we solid that there will, in fact, be other phones? Having your entire user base on a single hardware/software configuration is kinda the IT support dude's wet dream ...
Are we solid that there will, in fact, be other phones? Having your entire user base on a single hardware/software configuration is kinda the IT support dude's wet dream ...
Pretty solid (https://community.republicwireless.com/message/118403#118403).
Unfortunately it sounds like they're still months away. ~:(
Ok, so it looks like their next phone will be the MotorolaDVX. Supposed to look similar to the MotoX, but have less specs and be in the sub $200 range
If/when that comes out- sign me up!
Gotta love the accidental info (www.androidpolice.com/2013/09/23/republic-wireless-may-launch-the-motorola-dvx-a-low-cost-moto-x-alternative-in-october/) from Flikr. :2thumbsup:
Well, looks like everybody's on board with our company using ReWi for the Android phones. Our Alpha Geek was the hardest sell; he wants the phone with the biggest possible display at all times.
But he came around.
Looking forward to November.
He'll just have to make do with the MotoX... the poor guy.
I want to hear some feedback on the MotoX roll out and hopefully some news about the DVX before I jump to RW. But I hope it doesn't take too long- I'm losing money every month by staying with Verizon.
Xiahou, if you're trapped in an abusive relationship, the first thing you have to realize is that ... you are trapped in an abusive relationship. So apparently Verizon decided to make up for the lack of new customers by raising prices on their existing user base. Stay classy!
https://i.imgur.com/0tUtAPC.png
Verizon increases cell bills 7.1% for 95M customers (http://nypost.com/2013/10/17/verizon-increases-cell-bills-7-1-for-95m-customers/)
Verizon didn’t sign up as many new cell phone customers in the third quarter as Wall Street expected — but it still earned more than forecast as it managed to increase the average bill of its 95.2 million wireless customers by 7.1 percent.
The average Verizon Wireless bill jumped to $155.75 a month as of Sept. 30 from $154.63 last year, the company said Thursday.
Verizon, the No. 1 wireless carrier, said its ability to ratchet up customers’ bills fattened operating profit margins to 33.8 percent from 31.8 percent last year.
I hope they raise my rates. Then I can bail out of my contract without paying the termination fee. :2thumbsup:
It is nice to hear that they were able to boost their meager 31.8% profit margin to 33.8% by further ripping off their customers. There's better priced competition out there (RW) and the more Verizon gouges, the more people will look to their competitors. They seem to think they still have a captive customer base- but that's becoming the case less and less now.
Motorola Moto X (Republic Wireless) (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426863,00.asp)
The problem with Republic Wireless has never been its concept—the hybrid cellular/Wi-Fi service and low-cost plans are laudable in theory, but ultimately flawed in practice thanks to sketchy performance and subpar hardware. To its credit, Republic Wireless listened to its critics and addresses both problems head on with its latest phone release. Customers can now access Republic's unique service on the Motorola Moto X, a bona fide high-end Android smartphone, that the company is selling for $299 without any contract obligations. Republic has also made significant improvements to key areas like Wi-Fi-to-cellular call handoff and MMS support. The result is a surprisingly seamless, completely viable experience that's an attractive alternative to more traditional, expensive plans. [...]
I tested the Republic Wireless Moto X in New York City on the $40 unlimited talk, text, and 4G data plan. There's a lot to like here and it's clear that Republic Wireless has made significant strides in its service. Call quality over Wi-Fi is good, but it was not without some issues in my tests. Transmissions through the mic were full and voices sounded very clear, but had a distinct robotic quality. I also noticed some random dropouts during calls, leading to missed or clipped words on both ends of the call. It wasn't consistent enough to point out any obvious flaw and definitely tolerable, but still worth noting. Calls over cellular were basically indistinguishable from the Sprint Moto X.
One of the biggest shortcomings of Republic Wireless's services in previous phones was the cellular to Wi-Fi handoff—it was completely non-existent, so when you moved from Wi-Fi to cellular, your call would drop. The Moto X handles this handoff with aplomb. In fact, callers on the other end of the line typically couldn't discern any difference when I stepped into a Wi-Fi zone from a cellular coverage area or vice versa.
The MotoX will be released for RW sometime next week (https://community.republicwireless.com/thread/18122).
I considering getting in one of their phones in December, depending on how initial user reports go.
Well, I'll report my personal experiences, if that's of interest. Expect to be one of the first to scoop up the new handset.
Lemur
So, you order it yet?
Hells to the yes. With my own money, no less. Tired of waiting for the other thing to sort out. No shipment notification yet.
Got phone last night, up and running in short order.
Holy amazeballs, this is a nice phone. My iPhone addicted wife even said, "Maybe I should get one of those."
The screen is 720p, which is entirely appropriate for this size, and it's gorgeous. Deep, rich colors. Fired up Netflix and was gobsmacked.
So incredibly nice to be on a current version of Android again. Now maybe the other kids won't beat me up and take my lunch money.
Overall impression:
https://i.imgur.com/332rJLe.gif
Awesome.
Any thoughts on the (improved?) VoIP call quality? Or how about the wireless-to-cellular hand-off?
Also, do you know if you can recieve texts via email? For example, with Verizon if someone sends an email to mynumber@vtext.com it comes in as a text message on my phone. I kind of need that feature to receive after hours pages. :sweatdrop:
VOIP is definitely improved. I wonder if the hardware in the old handset was part of the difficulty?
Haven't had a handoff yet, might force it today to test.
Needed to run some Sprint-level updates through the software settings to get texting working completely. No biggie. I live in the sticks, so OTA updates from a cell carrier are always an issue with any phone around here.
If you want to test email texting, I can PM you my cell # and we can try it out. Never used that feature.
MMS texting appears to be functional with Verizon (wife) and Sprint (BFF).
-edit-
Never mind, there is no email-to-text gateway (https://community.republicwireless.com/thread/2179).
-edit of the edit-
Or is there? Seems like there's an potential workaround (https://community.republicwireless.com/ideas/1056), based on the "secret" Sprint # your phone uses in cell mode.
Your phone has an underlying Sprint number which means you can use the Sprint SMS Gateway (xxxx@messaging.sprintpcs.com where xxxx is the Secret Sprint Number).
If you try the "secret method" let me know if it works. :yes:
I may see if I can just use a normal email address for on-call pages. On a smart phone there's little difference I suppose...
I have no personal need or use for SMS-to-email messaging. Seems like a University thing, and a weird one at that.
Yet another workaround (https://community.republicwireless.com/thread/2179): "Another way of getting e-mail on RW service: I only use my GMail ID for my RW phone, I created a forwarding e-mail address that passes on to my GMail, and give that out. If I have problems, I can kill the forwarder and create a new one. This does not help with those email-to-SMS systems that are locked into the number@provider.gateway model, however."
You could probably work something out with Google Voice as well.
Details (https://community.republicwireless.com/thread/2179):
Google voice offers an Email to SMS gateway (@txt.voice.google.com) for its users. The only caveat is that before using this, the non-GV user must be invited by the GV user (i.e., sent a text message via Email).
After the initial email to sms from Google Voice, the Email to SMS gateway works. The only difference between this and a more traditional Email to SMS Gateway is that the gateway is only available to people whom you first approve.
That said, this gateway will do everything that you specified in your initial request. Indeed, it even works with photos! [...]
To explain it as simply as possible, Google assigns a specific "Email" address for every exchange. For example, instead of "number@messaging.sprintpcs.com" GV uses "your#.Their#.randomcode@txt.voice.google.com" This number can be saved under your contact's name and used for email to sms communication. Likewise, your contact will have a similar address to send you messages from email to sms.
It's an odd duck of a requirement, if you ask me, which you did not.
Here's an app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tinywebgears.relayme&hl=en) that claims to fill the niche.
Gotta say, the new phone really does make a huge difference to the RW experience. Per ZDnet (http://www.zdnet.com/republic-wireless-moto-x-review-top-consumer-smartphone-and-low-cost-service-are-a-killer-combo-7000023543/):
To summarize my experiences with the Republic Wireless Moto X, here are my pros and cons.
Pros
Gorgeous 4.7 inch AMOLED display
Nearly perfect in-hand form factor and design
Innovative software functionality
Unique WiFi-focused wireless service options
Excellent quality and high volume mono speaker
Excellent price with no contract
Cons
Limited internal storage capacity
Custom software leads to slower Android updates
[...] The more I use the Moto X, the more I enjoy what Motorola has done with their custom software touches that make it one of the most consumer-friendly phones available. Republic Wireless has some compelling service options with no contract obligation. I found their WiFi calling service to provide good quality calls and the handoff to cellular worked well in my testing.
A question:
Does the phone automatically glom onto any SSID it sees, or do you have to allow connections?
I assumed it worked like most android phones and would only connect where you tell it to... but reading around their forums has confused me on that point. ~:confused:
In my experience, it won't connect until you tell it to do so.
It's possible someone has found a setting or app that logs you in automatically, though. Perhaps that's the locus of confusion.
-edit-
Obviously, once you've told it an SSID is okay, it will try to re-connect without asking, but that's standard behavior for any WiFi device. And just like your laptop, you can easily tell it to "forget" a connection.
Not really clear on why people are having trouble sorting out this behavior.
Another review, expressing much the same evaluation I've come to:
Republic Wireless Moto X Review: A Great Deal With Very Few Compromises (http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/12/03/republic-wireless-moto-x-review-a-great-deal-with-very-few-compromises/)
Republic Wireless offers a great value with its service. Even though you're not using the cell network as much, you really don't notice. Virtually all of the WiFi features are completely integrated into the experience you're already used to, so it's easy to forget that the phone is using WiFi data instead of a cellular voice connection. With the overall smoothness of Republic Wireless handovers, I don't think you have anything to worry about on that front.
This phone is also a huge step up for anyone considering going with Republic. Before the Moto X, the only device available was the Motorola Defy XT – not exactly a crowd pleaser. The pricing is hard to pass up too. For $299 you get the phone and can leave at any time without penalty. Of course, the device won't work on any other networks, but you can sell it and recoup some cash.
In addition to the Sprint network consideration, you have to think about how the how the update situation will sit with you. The Moto X elsewhere either already has, or will soon have, KitKat. The Republic version is lagging a little behind, and will probably continue to do so. If a somewhat delayed update schedule and Sprint's network are not deal breakers, the Republic Wireless Moto X is a great buy.
From Mashable (http://mashable.com/2013/12/15/saved-150-month-wireless-bill/):
My monthly AT&T bill came to around $200. A sample bill from August shows that I spent $80 on FamilyTalk Nation 1400 with Rollover, $30 for Family Messaging Unlimited and another $30 for Data Unlimited (I was grandfathered in.) That came to $140. In addition, there were $8.95 for "government fees and taxes" and another $41.33 for my wife's iPhone. When you add on $3.39 in additional surcharges and fees, the grand total was $198.70.
At Republic, my bill for two Moto X accounts is $52.78. That's a savings of $145.92 per month. If I'm able to save that much every month, and invest it in an account earning the S&P historical rate of return of 11.67%, I'll have $12,301.98 in five years — that's enough to buy a new Nissan Versa.
Admittedly, that doesn't take the price of the phones into account. A Moto X costs $299 plus tax through Republic Wireless. With shipping, that comes to $329.93 per phone, or $659.86 in total.
Since I was planning to trade up to an iPhone 5S, anyway, subtract around $200 out of that. Then I traded in my old iPhone 4S on Amazon (I was planning to give that model to my wife when I got my 5S), so take out another $180. That's $279.86 in total. If you amortize that over three years — the amount of time we intend to keep our phones — then I'm saving $138.18 per month. If that holds, then I'm still saving $6,215.77 over those three years— enough for three 15-inch MacBook Pros at today's prices, assuming that same rate of return.
Crazed Rabbit
12-23-2013, 01:09
Hmm,
This is interesting, and I was leaning towards this for my new phone, but stuff (from Lemur's link above) like this makes me nervous;
My worst customer experience, though, was when I tried to port my wife's old number onto her new phone. After pinging Republic's online help desk, I received an email directing me to an FAQ page, which informed that a quick link should appear on the "My Account" page. It didn't. When I emailed Republic's help desk, I was repeatedly referred back to that same FAQ, which was frustrating. At that point, it would have been nice to talk to a human, but, alas, that's not possible with Republic. Bandwidth runs a lean organization.
"For 90% of issues, it works out pretty well," said company representative Keith Nowak. In my case, it didn't. If I didn't have access to Republic's public-relations team, I'm not sure what I would have done at that point. One fail-safe method is to just mail your phone back, and start over again (Republic offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.)
As it turned out, the issue was my fault. I have two Gmail accounts, and used both to set up two different Republic accounts. I was trying to switch a phone number with one account that wasn't connected. Still, the experience was discouraging and a major drawback.
Automated customer service is the worst part of the Republic Wireless experience, but everything else was great. Once mine and my wife's Moto X phones were up and running, I enjoyed almost exactly the same service I had with AT&T for about $150 a month less.
...
Of course, this whole scenario could go belly-up if Republic goes out of business. Bandwidth.com is a private business, and the company hasn't released much financial information about Republic, so it's hard to say how well it's doing. However, if Bandwidth CEO David Morken decides to pull the plug on this venture, then I'm out about $300 and have two useless phones (Republic's Moto X phones are designed to only work on its network.) On the other hand, Republic could also potentially disrupt the wireless industry in a major way, ushering in wider use of VOIP, and dismantling the telecom oligarchy of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.
Also, Sprint service stinks in my area and I would rather have a GSM phone than a republic only one. Now I'm leaning towards the 'Moto G' and T-mobile's $30 month unlimited data/texting/100 minutes plan, hopefully with Google voice to supplement low minutes with some calls over data.
CR
Also, Sprint service stinks in my area and I would rather have a GSM phone than a republic only one. Now I'm leaning towards the 'Moto G' and T-mobile's $30 month unlimited data/texting/100 minutes plan, hopefully with Google voice to supplement low minutes with some calls over data.
CRIf by "Google voice" you mean using it on your phone via something like GrooveIP, then be advised that Google is turning off all XMPP access (http://blog.obihai.com/2013/10/important-message-about-google-voice.html) to Google Voice in May..... because they can. :shrug:
I had planned on replacing my land line with Google Voice + an ATA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_telephone_adapter), but I binned that idea after their announcement. :no:
Crazed Rabbit
12-23-2013, 18:26
If by "Google voice" you mean using it on your phone via something like GrooveIP, then be advised that Google is turning off all XMPP access (http://blog.obihai.com/2013/10/important-message-about-google-voice.html) to Google Voice in May..... because they can. :shrug:
I had planned on replacing my land line with Google Voice + an ATA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_telephone_adapter), but I binned that idea after their announcement. :no:
Ah, I did indeed mean that. It's good to know, thanks.
I've started looking into paid VOIP providers like Skype now.
CR
I've started looking into paid VOIP providers like Skype now.
Suggest you check out Ooma (http://ooma.com/). I've been using them for approx 1 year, my brother for 3 years. Rock-solid service, rock-bottom price.
Well, I'm probably going to pull the trigger this month. My wife's contract is currently expire, so the first phone will be hers. We'll get one in, demo it for a few days, and if all looks good we'll port her number. Once that's done, I'll get a second phone, terminate my contract with Verizon and port my number. Paying the fee will suck, but when you run the math, it costs more not to.
I have a hard time wanting to lay out $600 for new phones, but I keep reminding myself that they'll pay for themselves in just over 6months. :2thumbsup:
I got the first MotoX today and spent about half the day playing with it. WiFi calling works great. Cellular handoff works great. And it's a really impressive little phone.
I expect I'll be ordering our second phone tomorrow and saying good-bye to Verizon. :yes:
Edit: Second phone is on the way.
Annoyed like I am by your phone inexplicably handing off to cell when you have perfectly good wireless? Toggle Cell.
Tired of your battery draining at work as it struggles for a cell signal when you have perfectly good wireless? Toggle Cell (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mdcollins2002.togglemobileradio).
Seriously, it's a very handy app if you want to force your phone to 'wifi only' when attached to certain SSIDs. Much more convenient than Airplane Mode. Now if they could just get SmartActions (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.motorola.contextual.smartrules) ported to the MotoX.... I had it on my RAZR Maxx and miss it sorely.
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