Frequently Asked Questions  (You asked... we answered.)

What am I buying? 
Freedom from calling plans, overages, caps, tiers and termination fees. Members of the Republic Wireless community get an Android-powered smartphone and unlimited use of it for data, calls and text. Your phone comes with built-in Wi-Fi Hybrid Calling technology that leverages the Web whenever Wi-Fi is available, and uses Sprint’s cellular network when it’s not.

Is this just a “Wi-Fi” phone? What if there’s no Wi-Fi available?
Absolutely not. This is a Wi-Fi and cellular smartphone. Republic Wireless offers a smartphone that is like any other in all the important ways. When you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, everything still works great over the Sprint network. In fact, there is nothing different from Republic’s Motorola DEFY XT and the one you would buy through another carrier—except that our smartphone is optimized to use the Wi-Fi all around you. For example, when you’re on Wi-Fi, just dial, and your call is connected through the Internet – fast, clear, and low cost. No app downloads or extra steps.

How do I make Wi-Fi calls? 
Dial as you would any other call. There's no app to open up or second number to manage. You don't have to click a special button or take any special action. Instead, once you're setup for a Wi-Fi network, your Republic smartphone connects and routes calls over Wi-Fi automatically.

How much are the taxes in addition to the $19? What are they? 
There are no hidden fees with Republic Wireless. State and local taxes vary by location. You pay $19 a month for your membership plus applicable taxes.

Do I need to buy minutes from Sprint or anyone else? 
No. We're the first-ever wireless provider to bundle Wi-Fi calling with access to cellular whenever you need it. Your Republic Wireless membership includes unlimited data, calling and text over Wi-Fi and Sprint's cellular network.

How much does domestic roaming cost? International? 
Domestic roaming is free. Although we don't offer cellular service internationally at this time, your Republic Wireless phone can place calls over Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world to the U.S.

Do you offer cheap calling to international numbers like some other VoIP services? 
No, not yet. International calling is a good feature just waiting to happen.

What is the 30-day, money-back satisfaction guarantee? 
If you are not completely satisfied with Republic Wireless or your phone with Wi-Fi Hybrid Calling, you can return it for a full refund. We figure a month is long enough to know whether the phone and our service are for you. Simply contact us within 30 days of joining and we'll cancel your service, provide instructions for returning your phone, and process your refund upon receiving it.

How can I make sure that I am connected to Wi-Fi all the time? 
First, make sure you set up your phone to access the Wi-Fi networks you frequent. Your phone will remember those networks and connect to them automatically. Want to login to public hotspots? Download Republic Wireless’ Wi-Fi+ app, available on the Google Play store.

Can I bring my own phone? 
Unfortunately, no. The ultimate in smartphone freedom would be using the phone you want, on the network you want, whenever you want. We agree... and are working toward that ideal. Android phones, Wi-Fi and the Web fuel our optimism that things could look very different in the future.

Can I send photos and video using the Motorola DEFY XT?
The answer is yes but not in the typical way that most smartphones operate. At this time, the Republic Wireless W-Fi Hybrid Calling technology does not support MMS (Multimedia Message Service). Our ability to offer MMS functionality depends on a few key industry partners and we're working on it with them now. You can still send photos and videos through email, Snapchat, Facebook and other sharing applications.

Can't I just download this to my current phone? 
No. There are, however, many apps you can download to make VoIP calls over Wi-Fi. Some of them require you to manage a second number, pay for minutes or take special steps to use them. All of them require you to continue overpaying for a cellular plan. Only Republic Wireless provides Wi-FI Hybrid Calling that's not only built into the phone, but also the price.

I have DSL at home.  Will it work on that or will I have to upgrade to something faster? 
You need about 80kbps both ways to hold a call. The more bandwidth the better for improved call quality. Don't forget that streaming video or downloading large files all use bandwidth, so your mileage may vary if you receive calls and watch Netflix at the same time.