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Unlimted calls, text, data - $20 per month!

14 years ago

There's a new player in the cell phone market called Republic Wireless that is offering unlimited calls, text, and data for $20 per month (plus taxes, of course). They're using a special hybrid phone that switches between WiFi and traditional CDMA cellular (Sprint's network). It's first preference is WiFi but if the phone can't get a WiFi signal it switches to traditional cellular.

There are some limits to cellular network use but there are no overage charges. If you exceed the fair useage standard they'll let you know and suggest ways to reduce you usage. If you can't do that, they'll ask you to find a traditional cellular carrier. They're saying that, "you could consume 550 minutes, send 150 texts, and download 300 megabytes of data without crossing the community's fair use threshold."

Right now there is just one phone, the Samsung Optimus. It's an entry level Android phone, although from all accounts a pretty decent phone. You buy the phone and first month of service upfront for $199 (although they are knocking $100 off with a special offer right now). After that, it's $20 per month (plus tax).

I haven't seen any reviews of how well the system works but it may be a good option for those who don't make a lot of calls and have regular access to WiFi networks (say at home and at work).

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Comments (6)

justme4now
14 years ago
Mike

You've been here since 2006?
mike_kaiser_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
2006? That sounds about right but it's been a while in any case.

Did you think my message was spam? I forgot to add a disclaimer - I have no affiliation whatsoever with Republic Wireless, it's parent company or subsidiaries. I just though the service sounded interesting and the information might be of value to forum members.

I'd like to give their service a shot. With an entry fee of $100 and $20 per month with no contract it seems like a no-brainer. I have WiFi at home and at work and don't make that many calls.

If the had a better phone available, I might have given it a shot. The Optimus is supposed to be a pretty decent entry level Android phone but it's screen is much too small for my taste.
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Most of the major carriers don't offer unlimited anymore except maybe sprint? Verizon is $30 a month per phone for 2gigs each but they do have the family share plan now. Even exhisting customers on verizon with unlimited data can't keep it if they take a phone upgrade. Only way to keep unlimited on verizon now if you were granfathered in is to buy the phone at full price. My friend has an Iphone on verizon and doesn't go over 2gigs a month and she says most people don't. I think even the all in one plans throttle you after a certain amount I heard and you are paying a good chunk for the phone too. I looked at an all in one plan and the phone I wanted was $200. For me I have decided there are so many free wifi connections I can use while traveling I will just do that with my tablet and be happy. I have unlimited texting on my cell and you would be surprised at what you can do with that. I can send an receive tweets from twitter. I can also use googel a little by text so if I need to find a store location or something I can type in the name of the store and town and google will text me back with locations in that area. My email also has the option of mail forwarding so I can have it forwared to my cell as text and respond back. Mary
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Another option would be to go with Prepaid Plus and load their individual phones, and what is loaded is good for up to 120 days. Any minutes that remain when the phone is reloaded (before the 120 days are up) will automatically be rolled over. This would curb their use (and possibly abuse) and be very affordable for you. From the link below: 100 minutes for $10 or 250 texts at 5 cents per text 416 minutes for $25 or 10,400 texts at 5 cents a minute 1,000 minutes for $50 or 25,000 texts at 5 cents a minute 2,000 minutes for $80* or 50,000 texts at 5 cents a minute *While the $10, $25 and $50 denominations of the Standard plan last 120 days, the $80 denomination lasts for a full year. I've used Page Plus for years and have had no problems. The phone is not used for my entertainment, but for occasional use for my convenience when I am away from home. Longer calls, phone visits with loved ones, are made from land line at home. My phone doesn't take and send pics, but then that is why I have a camera and a computer. Good luck in your search for a good, reasonably priced solution for your family staying in touch as needed. Here is a link that might be useful: Prepaid Cell Phone Plans: Standard Plan
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grandms
14 years ago
Mike, that seems to be the case with most no-contract carriers----the phones are not the most up to date or desirable models, so I stuck with my costly Verizon plan in order to have a 4" screen and a really new phone. Of course, after almost a year, it is no longer "new". LOL!
DA_Mccoy
14 years ago
I despise having a cellphone. I am not that important nor is anything that important to me that I "must have" one. When carrying the one I have to have I feel like I am on parole with a tether. I just don't have a choice unfortunately.

All it is is a telephone. Nothing else. They could turn off every tower country wide, and I would survive easily.

I guess it is the old conflict of need, want, and demand.

DA
owbist
14 years ago
Ha ha, I am with you DA. One of my daughters bought me a throw away because I am 'old and crotchety' and might need to call for help. When it (rarely) rings I think it someone else's phone - or the battery might be dead - or it is still on the charger where it might be for a week. Life was good without it but........
bob414
14 years ago
I agree with Owbist and DA. My kids insisted my wife and I have one in case of emergency. We pay $20 every three months which entitles us to 200 minutes. I've used mine a few times when my wife sends me for something and I forget what I went for. It's handy to call home and ask. Sometimes she remembers.

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