Last year Republic Wireless launched, introducing the idea of WIFI/cellular hybrid phones and allowing ‘Beta’ users to get in on the action for just $19 a month with no contracts and unlimited data, voice and text messages. The catch with Republic Wireless is that it uses existing WIFI connections to make most calls and texts and only uses traditional cellular waves (via Sprint Network) when it has no access to WIFI.

Republic Wireless offered the service up to users for a quick round of beta signups and then closed everything off. Luckily, they’ve opened the floodgates again, allowing new users to join in and have even added a new phone to the mix- the Defy XT. The bad news is that there is no subsidizing with RW phones and because of its specialized software for making calls, the Defy XT is a little pricey at $249. The XT features a 3.7-inch screen, a 1GHz CPU, and a 5MP camera. This phone won’t blow away any of the more popular flagship phones from other carriers but nor is it extra-weak either. Republic Wireless isn’t for those who want the latest Android or iOS device, and instead is about saving money on other carrier’s “unlimited” plans which generally cost several times more and often have caps that make them not so truly unlimited in reality.

Like last year, this is still a Beta program and that means it will only be open for new customers for a limited time. If you find yourself around WIFI the vast majority of your time, this is a great way to save money- but you better act quickly before the open period closes again.

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Although Republic Wireless’ announcement of their $19 per month unlimited plan last month made everyone jump through the roof with joy at first, the rest of the deal seemed to be a downfall. But now, the upstart carrier has made another announcement which will allow you to fix your roof once again. From now on, the promised unlimited will be truly unlimited.

Just to refresh your memory, Republic Wireless came out last month and announced their $19 per month plan that promised unlimited talk, text, and data. The deal required a customer to buy the $199 LG Optimus S handset.

But the problem was that the handset was tweaked by the carrier in such a way that it uses Wi-Fi whenever possible for data and calls.

Access to 3G via the Sprint network was available but 3G usage had to be kept to a minimum. If a customer crossed the 3G usage limits the carrier could terminate the service. Therefore a customer could enjoy unlimited stuff, provided the bulk of it was via Wi-Fi.

But all that is changing now with the carrier’s announcement that they are eliminating all usage thresholds.

This is what Republic Wireless has to say:

“Rather than revising our fair use policy, we’ve decided not to have one at all. There will simply be no thresholds, and no risk of losing service. We’re doing away with all of that to keep all of the focus instead on where it really belongs: Creating a new wireless future together. A future that is simple to understand, unfettered to use, and an amazing value for all. That’s what we started down this path to do. That’s where the power of this vibrant community, dynamic Wi-Fi ecosystem and revolutionary technology should be invested. We’re all-in”.

This new move is certainly a big surprise, especially since the service is still in beta. But the phone will still be trying to use Wi-Fi whenever possible. But we don’t think there will be any problem with that. VoIP calls can be done quite well via Wi-Fi, and you will get 3G service for the incredibly low price.

Head here to check out the carrier’s full announcement.

The post Republic Wireless Goes Fully Unlimited appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

This crazy plan is now live and it does not appear to be a promotional price to lock you into their fold. That $19 price point sticks with you for however long you stick with Republic Wireless. If it sounds too good to be true, well, you have to understand a couple of catches.

First, you’re not really allowed to bring your own phone. Instead, you have to use a special phone with special hardware geared specifically toward Republic Wireless. For now, the only handset available is the LG Optimus with Android 2.3 ($199 outright, $99 with coupon code “welcome19″), but they’ll surely add more in the future.

The service is designed so that you use Wi-Fi for most of your needs and it only falls back onto 3G (Republic uses the Sprint network) as necessary. This includes both data requirements, as well as voice. This “hybrid technology” is not unlike the UMA service from T-Mobile. Texts can be sent over Wi-Fi too.

The other catch? While the plan is “unlimited” in name, there are some soft caps. If your Cellular Usage Index (CUI) is too high, meaning you do too much on 3G (and not enough on Wi-Fi), Republic Wireless will show you the door. The “soft caps” appear to be set at 550 minutes, 150 texts, and 300MB of data. Remember that these are only over 3G and you can be as unlimited as you want over Wi-Fi.

Oh, and in case you’re curious, Republic Wireless is a venture by Bandwidth.com, which also happens to be the parent company of such companies as Skype, LivingSocial, and Pandora. So, yes, they know what they’re doing when it comes to consumer-geared online services.

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