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Republic Wireless

Is This Your Business?
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4.5

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: September 6th, 2023

Republic Wireless, also known as Bandwidth.com, Inc., opened its doors in 1999. Bandwidth.com launched Republic Wireless in 2011, when they realized that WiFi connections could be optimized for so much more than just the Internet. When they first started their business, they launched in BETA to discover what their customers really want. Their mission is to “make enjoying the features of a smartphone more affordable and accessible for everyone.”  

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The Good

  • Low prices
  • Wifi and cell coverage
  • Easy to use website

Republic Wireless strives to make the lowest prices available to its customers. Because they've created a way to use WiFi and Cell coverage seamlessly, their customers get a good price, with similar amounts of coverage to other big name carriers.

  • Flexible phone plans with data refunds
  • Ability to change plans at anytime
  • Tools available to track usage
  • Nationwide coverage

Their website is easy to use, with account management directly on the site, as well as billing made easy. Republic Wireless includes a feature called Maestro, which is a project intended to make coverage easier, and cheaper for their customers. Their most expensive plan is only $60 per month, and their cheapest is $5. They do not require contracts and their add-on fees are considered minimal.

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The Bad

  • Limited mobile devices
  • Limited coverage
  • Network speed reduction

While Republic Wireless offers a selection of 10 total mobile devices from Nexus, Samsung, and Motorola, many cell phone providers in the industry have a much wider selection-some as many as 50 or more.

  • Device Selection - limited to just 10 cell phones
  • Limited 4G Coverage - spotty 3G and 4G connection
  • Only unlimited talk and text plans

If you end up using more data than 5 GBs, your network speed will be reduced except for the first time you go over. The coverage is limited, especially in rural areas. Coverage is better on the East and West Coasts than it is in Midwest regions. Republic Wireless doesn't offer family plans, or any sort of combined plans.

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The Bottom Line

Republic Wireless is a simple and inexpensive wireless phone option, especially for those not interested in the latest technology who want the basic cell phone services. Their customer service is very prompt, and they are very open to listening to their customers, including starting projects that are meant to lower their low rates even further.

  • Plans starting at $15/month
  • No contracts
  • Spotty coverage
  • No hidden costs

Republic Wireless coverage is not great, especially in rural areas, so unless you live in an urban area, Republic probably isn't for you. They have great communication with their customers, and have very few complaints. With no contracts, very flexible payment plans, and a 30-day money back guarantee, Republic Wireless can be a good solution for some consumers.

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Star Rating

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4.0

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15 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

53%

4 grade

27%

3 grade

0%

2 grade

7%

1 grade

13%

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Kathryn (Katy) Uhl Provo, UT

I have loved everything about my experience with Republic Wireless! They offer great phone options (I currently have the Moto G6 which I love), they have great customer support over their phone and chat, and I love how inexpensive it is for me as a college student on my own. Being on wifi most of the time saves me so much money, but it's really easy to add another gb of data for $5 when I need it.

5 years ago

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Review Source

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Katie Howard Pleasant Grove, UT

We've used Republic Wireless for all four of our kids' cellphones. They only had a few options for phones when we started, but they have gradually added more phones, which is nice. As of now, they still don't support iPhones, which is why we have had a couple of kids switch to another carrier. The main benefit of Republic Wireless is that they are very affordable. Unfortunately, I have noticed a lack of reliability with texting--messages are divided into many parts, and some parts go missing at times. A couple of the phones have been glitchy as well. But for an affordable, basic service with low data requirements, we've liked them quite a lot.

5 years ago

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Review Source

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Faith Carver Española, NM

Thrilled with the coverage to cost this company supplies. I have been using it for years now. Phones have significantly improved in this time period. For traveling outside of the country and at home, wifi phone calls and all phone function is incredible. I always recommend their services.

3 years ago

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Molly Smith Herriman, UT

I've had a republic wireless phone for several years and it is very nice. It's a lot cheaper than other phones but functionally it's the exact same. Would recommend.

3 years ago

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Bill Rhodes Richmond, KY

Mis-leading web site information on compatible phones that they will not correct. Bought a Samsung J3, per both their bring-your-own-phone and their buy-from-us pages, bought their SIMM card, then, after multiple contacts with "customer service" and having someone finally piggy-back on my phone, they decided my J3 won't work. I told every contact I had a Samsung Galaxy J3, per their web site, and never once was asked what "model" of J3. They list nothing by Samsung J3 and do not list the model on their approved list on either page. I'm stuck with their SIMM and a phone I can't use. But, despite my naivete and/or technical ignorance, the unforgivable thing is they will do nothing about it.

7 years ago

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Review Source

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Sierra Beck Herriman, UT

I've been a Republic Wireless customer for 2 years now and I have been very pleased with them. I like how affordable their phone plans are and how I could add more data mid month, I can just buy more on the app simply. The only reason I switched from Republic Wireless is because I wanted to buy a new phone that was not supported on their service.

5 years ago

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alm260 Scottsburg, IN

Avoid this company like the plague. First they were bought off by dish and now dish has sold them to boost Infinity. My husband hasn't had cell phone service for days. Their customer service is terrible. Took us over an hour to get a phone call back from them yesterday and they have no chat option.

1 year ago

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Nini New York, NY

I used a great phone service and internet system Which is fast and reliable when speaking to friends and family

1 year ago Edited June 21, 2023

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Michael Patterson

Affordable, reliable. They have serviced me, my wife and daughter very well since we have started with them.

6 years ago

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Tess L Provo, UT

I really like the service I get from this carrier for this price. It has occasional problems, but overall it is really good value.

5 years ago

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Johnna Koonce Goldsboro, NC

Cost, Phones, Efficient, great coverage, great plans and pricing.

6 years ago

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Mike San Marcos, CA

Republic Wireless takes care of all I need in a cellular company.

4 years ago

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Devin Stoker

Customized experience based on your needs

4 years ago

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James S Aldrich Wausau, WI

Great rates, reliable service, good customer service

5 years ago

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Moirraine Campbell Lacey, WA

WiFi calling great. Customer service a joke. Phones don't have needed featuresl

6 years ago