Republic Wireless launched in November with an unlimited voice, text and data plan for just US$19 per month. The carrier provided a “fair use policy” to ensure that cellular usage was minimized in favour of Wi-Fi and VoIP. Many customers found this policy confusing as it was tied to an “index” called the Cellular Usage Index (CUI) that set threshold for 3G usage. Customers who repeatedly exceeded this index (about 550 voice minutes, 150 text messages, 300MB of data) would be warned and possibly even find their service cut off.
Republic Wireless yesterday announced that it was going “all-in” and eliminated these usage thresholds while it remained in beta:
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.
Republic Wireless will remain in beta while it continues to tweak its proprietary VoIP app that allows its devices to roam between cellular and Wi-Fi networks. It is also still looking at “how to make unlimited work at this radical price point.”
For now, customers will be provided unlimited service until the end of beta. When it does end (no ETA at this point), Republic Wireless will give customers the option of canceling (with a full refund on the purchase of the device) if it decided to abandon or change its unlimited plan.
It will be interesting to see if Republic Wireless can make its business model work.