Republic Wireless
Dish Wireless | |
Website | www |
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Republic Wireless (stylized in
In 2021, Republic was acquired by
Customers
As of 2021, the company had about 200,000 subscribers, and as of 2019 it had close to $100 million in annual revenue.[3] Trade publication Inside Towers wrote that its customers "appear to be more tech savvy than most, and also more price conscious".[3]
History
Early history
Republic was an early provider of WiFi-first MVNO services.[3]
Created in January 2010 as a subsidiary of
Republic Wireless began beta service on November 8, 2011, with the LG Optimus S[7] and later the Motorola Defy XT in July 2012.[8] On November 19, 2012, Republic Wireless ended its private beta and transitioned to an open, public beta.[9]
On November 14, 2013, Republic officially came out of its Beta testing period and began offering the Moto X for $299 with four new service plans starting at $5 per month.[10]
In 2013, the company introduced WiFi-to-cellular handover so that calls could transition from Wi-Fi to cell tower service.[3]
Additional models and new technology
On March 13, 2014, Republic officially announced the release of their next phone, the
In 2015, the company introduced cellular-to-WiFi handover.[3]
In July 2016, Republic added several phone models from Samsung, LG, and Huawei, in addition to its already-established Motorola line.[14] Also, the switch was made to new plans on the T-Mobile network, replacing their older plans using the Sprint network.
In August 2016, Republic also added a bring-your-own-phone (BYOP) compatibility to its service plans by offering SIM card kit sales in their online store.
On December 1, 2016, Republic Wireless announced its spin-off from
Also in 2016, the company introduced "bonded calling" to use cell service while still keeping the call on a WiFi connection.[3]
On December 6, 2017, Republic Wireless announced a new physical product called Relay. This screen-less device uses LTE and WiFi in order to allow communication between it, other relay devices and a companion smartphone app. It also contains a GPS tracker so that those with the companion app are able to know where the user of the device is. Relay became available for ordering May 2018 at the dedicated Relay website.
Acquisition and shutdown
In March 2021, television provider
According to
It was announced that the Relay products would be split out as a separate company: Relay, Inc.[3][17]
As part of the transition, the company's leadership team was replaced; it was announced that co-founder Chris Chuang would leave the company and Robert Currie would take over as head of Republic Wireless.[18]
On July 10, 2023, Dish announced that Republic Wireless would be shutting down. Customers were moved to Boost Infinite with the transition completed on August 31, 2023.[22]
Hybrid calling
Originally
As of 2022, this Wi-Fi first calling method is not supported for new customers or phones purchased on the "bring your own phone" program, or for phones purchased from Republic Wireless.[24]
Reception
Initial rollout
TechCrunch expressed excitement about the announcement and described the plan as potentially disruptive to the wireless markets. The publication described the "WiFi first" model as an attractive feature because of the prevalence of WiFi access and the superiority of WiFi connections over digital mobile networks, which they expect will improve call reception and clarity.[4] CNET wrote that the low price point would be "a home run" for parents who are interested in low-cost plans for young children.[7] The Atlantic was more hesitant, acknowledging that the price point would be attractive to some consumers but speculating that the low-cost business model may lead to unreliable service. The magazine also suggested that since Republic Wireless purchases its air time wholesale from Sprint, it is dependent on major telecommunications companies who may be inclined to limit the company's growth to prevent it from becoming too disruptive.[25]
Pre-acquisition
Walt Mossberg of the
The Art of Being Cheap claims Republic is "... Such a better deal than any other phone on the market, that there really are no viable competitors" in a November, 2013 piece once the company had come out of Beta.[32]
In April 2014, an article in The Wealth Gospel posited that Republic is "poised to be a disruptor in the mobile telecommunications market," citing that the company offers customers an opportunity to "shrug off the shackles of contracts and high monthly costs."[33]
On November 12, 2013, Republic was voted the Lifehacker Most Popular Pre-Paid/MVNO Carrier with 31% of the vote.[34]
Marguerite Reardon of CNET praised Republic's "cut-throat pricing", especially for consumers who only want voice and text, but faulted unreliable hand-off between Wi-Fi and cellular service, and small variety of available handsets, and said "customers who are having problems with the service never actually get to speak to a real human". [35]
In March 2014, Republic Wireless Chairman David Morken said the number of customers subscribed to the company's service totaled several hundred thousand.[36][37] In 2014, it was the top-rated prepaid cell phone provider in the latest rankings by Consumer Reports.[38]
Post-acquisition
In December 2021, following its acquisition by Dish, Republic Wireless announced changes to its plans that drew a negative reaction from existing customers; one customer wrote that they couldn't "find the door fast enough".[39] Industry analyst Martha DeGrasse speculated that customers might move to competitors if fees increased.[3]
References
- ^ Republic Wireless (29 November 2021). "REPUB_28452_RW_Logo_OrganicLaunch.mp4". Facebook. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "republic wireless | Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Unpacking the DISH/Republic Wireless Deal". Inside Towers. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b Kinkaid, Jason (November 8, 2011). "Republic Wireless Officially Unveils $19/Month Service: Unlimited Everything, No Contracts". Tech Crunch. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ Newman, Jared (November 8, 2011). "Republic Wireless: $19 per Month for Voice, Text and Data". Time Magazine. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Chansanchai, Athima (November 9, 2011). "'Unlimited' Android for $19 a month -- as long as you're on Wi-Fi". MSNBC. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Broida, Rick (November 8, 2011). "Republic Wireless: 'Unlimited' Android phone for $19 per month". CNet. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ "Republic Wireless Further Disrupts Wireless Market; Reopens Beta & Introduces New Motorola Androidโข-powered Smartphone". November 13, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
- ^ "Republic Wireless mobile phone service exits private beta, now available to all". Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "Republic Wirelessยฎ offers Moto X for $299 and four new plans starting at $5 per month, scaling up to $40 per month with a 4G data option". November 13, 2013. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ "Moto G is heeeere!". April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ "Moto E Is Here!". October 15, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ^ "The New Moto X is Coming Soon!". November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
- ^ David Ranii, "Raleigh-based Republic adds cellular network, new phones", The News & Observer, May 11, 2016.
- ^ Warren, Tom (2016-12-01). "Republic Wireless celebrates its new independence with six months of free service". The Verge. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
- ^ Statt, Nick (2021-03-08). "Dish will acquire Republic Wireless to boost adoption of its 5G network". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
- ^ a b "CEO keeping device firm Relay in Raleigh, is hiring after parent Republic Wireless is sold to DISH". WRAL TechWire. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d Alleven, Monica (8 March 2021). "Dish to acquire MVNO Republic Wireless". Fierce Wireless. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ Dano, News Analysis Mike; Director, Editorial; Strategies 3/8/2021, Mobile. "Dish's new 5G strategy: MVNO aggregator". Light Reading. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Dish to acquire Republic Wireless and its wireless customers". RCR Wireless News. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "DISH Network Corporation completed the acquisition of Republic Wireless, Inc". MarketScreener. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ Alleven, Monica (July 31, 2023). "Republic Wireless shutting down as Dish moves customers over to Boost Infinite". Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Segan, Sascha (November 8, 2011). "Republic Wireless: It's All About Wi-Fi". PC Magazine. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ "Bring Your Own Phone". Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ Greenfield, Rebecca (November 8, 2011). "Good Luck With That: A Super-Cheap Phone Challenges Big Companies". Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ McCracken, Harry (November 8, 2011). "Republic Wireless, You Have a Strange Definition of 'Unlimited'". PC World. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ Brian at Republic Wireless (December 22, 2011). "Unlimited". Republic Wireless. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
- ^ Miller, Matthew. "Republic Wireless Moto X review: Top consumer smartphone and low cost service are a killer combo". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
- ^ Spoonauer, Mark (3 November 2014). "Motorola Droid Turbo - Full Review and Benchmarks". LaptopMag. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
- ^ "Smartphone With Wi-Fi Smarts". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ McNay, Don (November 26, 2013). "Republic Wireless: Game Changer in Revolution against AT&T & Verizon". Huffington Post.
- ^ "Review of Moto X from Republic Wireless and super cheap phone plan". The Art of Being Cheap. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
- ^ "Why Haven't You Switched to Republic Wireless Yet?". wealthgospel.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
- ^ Republic the Most Popular Pre-Paid Alan Henry
- ^ Is Republic Wireless too good to be true? by Ask Maggie, cnet.com
- ^ Scott Moritz; et al. (2014-03-03). "Wi-Fi alternatives threaten cell carriers". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2015-02-06.
- Triangle Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-02-06.
- ^ David Ranii, "Republic Wireless ranked tops by Consumer Reports", The News & Observer, November 20, 2014.
- ^ Wang, Jules (15 December 2021). "Republic Wireless dishes out new look, new plans, and disappointment". Android Police. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
Notes
- ^ Its service was not launched until 2011.