Carriers like Republic Wireless are cutting through the wireless industry’s usually complicated pricing schemes with simple, inexpensive data charges. The catch is that Republic has a limited phone selection and a 5GB data cap, which might be too low for serial streamers or binge watchers.
At a glance
- Plans start at $10 per month.
- Strengths: Pay only for the data you use, at an inexpensive rate.
- Weaknesses: You’ll have to buy a new phone from Republic's limited selection; relatively lower data usage ceiling.
Republic Wireless cell phone plans
Republic Wireless’ plan structure is simple and, for low data users, very affordable. Every plan has a $10-per-month base price that gets you unlimited texts and calls. Data is then charged at a flat $15-per-gigabyte rate, and any unused data is credited back to you on your next bill.
There are five plan sizes:
- XXS: $10 per month, plus data as needed at $15 per gigabyte
- XS: $17.50 per month, 500MB
- S: $25 per month, 1GB
- M: $40 per month, 2GB
- L: $55 per month, 3GB
Republic doesn’t charge extra for overages, so paying for data at the beginning of the month is more about planning your costs than receiving a fixed amount of data. If you go over your plan’s allotment, you just pay for the extra data on next month’s bill, still at $15 per GB.
For example, if you sign up for the 1GB plan, you’ll pay $25 at the beginning of the month. If you then use 0.5GB, you’ll be credited $7.50 on next month’s bill for the 0.5GB you didn’t use. Your net cost next month is then $17.50. You’re essentially paying the same cost as if you had signed up for the XXS plan with pay-as-you-go data and used that same 0.5GB.
If you used 1.5GB in a month on your 1GB, $25-per-month plan, you’d pay an extra $7.50 at the beginning of next month, or $32.50.
Republic Wireless’ network
Republic Wireless aims to keep customers’ wireless costs down by routing all phone usage through Wi-Fi and only using Sprint’s network as a backup when Wi-Fi isn’t available.
Because of the technology required to navigate this handoff, Republic offers only a limited selection of modified Android phones: the Moto G and the Moto E. However, Republic plans to expand its phone selection this summer with seven new phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S7.
Republic’s focus on low-cost wireless entails some trade-offs, though. As usual, you can pull down as much data as you want through Wi-Fi. Once on Sprint’s network, however, you get only 5GB of data per month, after which your speeds are significantly slowed.
When you’re roaming, outside of both Wi-Fi and Sprint’s network range, you get only 25MB of data, and at a steeper price, roughly 18 times more expensive than regular data. Heavy data users and those with spotty Sprint coverage in their area should keep this in mind.
Where to buy Republic Wireless
You have to buy the phones online directly from Republic Wireless, because only specially modified handsets work with the company’s network setup.
Republic Wireless deals
As of June 2016, Republic is cutting $30 off the list price of both the Moto G (now $199) and the Moto E (now $99).
How Republic Wireless compares on prices
Since Republic operates with such a different pricing structure, it’s difficult to directly compare it with other prepaid carriers. Where Republic really shines is pricing on small data amounts. Unlimited talk and text with 1GB of data on Republic costs $25. You won’t find that kind of pricing anywhere else, even on Google’s experimental mobile service, Project Fi, which has similar pay-as-you-go, flat data rate plans. Republic claims its average customer spends $13.83 per month, after factoring in the monthly unused data refund.
If you’re a high-volume data user, Republic’s pricing makes less sense financially. For example, 4GB of data with unlimited talk and text on Virgin Mobile is $40 per month. On Republic, it’d be $70.
How Republic Wireless compares on features
Republic Wireless’ feature list is spare: You get mobile hot spot capability — and that’s it. If you’re looking for unlimited music or video streaming, family plans or international service, you’ll have to go elsewhere. (You do get calls to Canada at no extra cost, however.)
Is Republic Wireless right for you?
If you don’t mind the limited phone selection, and you’re not a heavy data user, Republic Wireless is a great option if you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive plan. It topped the Consumer Reports 2015 survey in overall customer satisfaction out of 13 prepaid carriers. Just make sure Sprint’s network covers your area before signing up.
If the flat-rate, pay-only-what-you-use data pricing model appeals to you, Google’s Project Fi is worth a look as well.
Stephen Layton is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: slayton@nerdwallet.com.
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