New Republic Wireless - Hybrid VOIP/Cellular

[Endeavor]

I was at starbucks the other day and didn't have to do anything to login. However, my phone is an AT&T Phone with the AT&T hotspot app, and it may have handled the login for me. There's no reason why Republic couldn't build similar software into their phones.

A lot of ATT WiFi points work like this, too. Example - ALL Starbucks franchises with ATT hotspots. You must physically log in your device by accepting the terms of use on a web page before ANYTHING happens.

I doubt UMA would work at a Starbucks hotspot UNLESS REPUBLIC WIRELESS MADE A DEAL WITH THE WiFi PROVIDER TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPT THESE DEVICES WITHOUT PHYSICAL LOG-IN. The technical aspects of that would be trivial but it would require a 'understanding' between Republic and AP owners.

[Endeavor]

Read more about Republic's Fair Use Policy:

http://republicwireless.com/home/pdf...2011-FINAL.pdf

[tmobiley]

I was reading through the acceptable use policy (not fair use policy) and came across the language of a "cancellation or termination fee" which may be charged... this is new to me! Has anyone else come across this is any other literature?

I also want to know how they will be able to hold us to the legalese, because upon sign up they did not ask us to "agree" to it - although, it may be that we are bound to it as a condition of using the service.

And lastly, the $19 is to cover our use of the Sprint network. Thus, if we don't use the Sprint network... are we still charged the $19? Or do we get a discount for staying on wifi for the month?

[tmobiley]

Here's a plus!

"There is currently no provision for using the cellular data network to make VoIP calls. The phone will use the Wi-Fi network and fall back to the cellular network with a traditional call if the Wi-Fi is not available."

-republic wireless

[Nodakawa]

I was reading through the acceptable use policy (not fair use policy) and came across the language of a "cancellation or termination fee" which may be charged... this is new to me! Has anyone else come across this is any other literature?

I also want to know how they will be able to hold us to the legalese, because upon sign up they did not ask us to "agree" to it - although, it may be that we are bound to it as a condition of using the service.

And lastly, the $19 is to cover our use of the Sprint network. Thus, if we don't use the Sprint network... are we still charged the $19? Or do we get a discount for staying on wifi for the month?

I guess that $19 is for the service they provide you. You know, like connecting your calls and delivering SMS.


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[Bob859]

Here's a plus!

"There is currently no provision for using the cellular data network to make VoIP calls. The phone will use the Wi-Fi network and fall back to the cellular network with a traditional call if the Wi-Fi is not available."

-republic wireless

What if it is getting a marginal Wi-Fi signal, one that is there, but not good enough to use for a call? Can the user manually put the phone on CDMA, when there is a poor Wi-Fi signal?

.

[tmotk]

Read more about Republic's Fair Use Policy:

http://republicwireless.com/home/pdf...2011-FINAL.pdf

This policy seems to suggest the CUI is based purely on total cellular use and that the wifi offload percent is entirely separate. The plain text on their web site suggests that as more wifi is used, more cellular use is acceptable as well, as long as wifi offload is reasonable ratio compared to the average. The detailed PDF's definition of CUI suggests that using more wifi does not entitle one to use any more cellular, but only helps keep cellular usage down. So by having users watch the green offload graph is to tell the users to watch the wrong metric, although improving the wifi offload metric does indirectly help CUI for most people. Watching the wrong metric will be a problem if a user uses a whole lot of wifi plus a lot of cellular.

[Endeavor]

I noticed the same thing, and have asked for clarification through several channels. There is a facebook posting from them suggesting that increased Wifi usage allows for increased cellular usage, but that's not supported by the PDF I linked to (as you correctly note).

Regardless, I use less than 550 minutes per month and spend most of my time near a 802.11 transmitter with no cellular service at all. So with what's known of the deal to date, it's worth a shot..

It would be nice if they gave out these details, but I suspect the vast majority of potentials won't bother to ask these questions..

This policy seems to suggest the CUI is based purely on total cellular use and that the wifi offload percent is entirely separate. The plain text on their web site suggests that as more wifi is used, more cellular use is acceptable as well, as long as wifi offload is reasonable ratio compared to the average. The detailed PDF's definition of CUI suggests that using more wifi does not entitle one to use any more cellular, but only helps keep cellular usage down. So by having users watch the green offload graph is to tell the users to watch the wrong metric, although improving the wifi offload metric does indirectly help CUI for most people. Watching the wrong metric will be a problem if a user uses a whole lot of wifi plus a lot of cellular.

[sicilian1]

Most WIFI networks that aren't your own are secure,only having 522 minutes of Sprint cell time when not at home is a deal breaker for most people.

[Nodakawa]

Most WIFI networks that aren't your own are secure,only having 522 minutes of Sprint cell time when not at home is a deal breaker for most people.

This plan was aimed at a certain group of users. There are plenty of other options for those who want more.
A thin face is kept with money though:-)

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

[jay_rm]

I was at starbucks the other day and didn't have to do anything to login. However, my phone is an AT&T Phone with the AT&T hotspot app, and it may have handled the login for me. There's no reason why Republic couldn't build similar software into their phones.

That's interesting - although it certainly makes sense seeing that your cellular provider is the same as the WiFi access provider. This is the kind of agreement Republic Wireless must make for UMA to work right.

My VZW MVNO phone requires I check mark a box on a web page to accept the AP's policies before it'll do ANYHTING over a ATT hotspot. Just as if I was accessing the hotspot with a computer.

[Endeavor]

550 minutes, with the ability to occasionally go over, is more than enough for me.

AT&T has an Android app that'll connect you to any AT&T hotspot without having to accept the T&Cs. It's preinstalled on AT&T smartphones and downloadable for all other phones.

That's interesting - although it certainly makes sense seeing that your cellular provider is the same as the WiFi access provider. This is the kind of agreement Republic Wireless must make for UMA to work right.

My VZW MVNO phone requires I check mark a box on a web page to accept the AP's policies before it'll do ANYHTING over a ATT hotspot. Just as if I was accessing the hotspot with a computer.

[GSMinCT]

Most WIFI networks that aren't your own are secure,only having 522 minutes of Sprint cell time when not at home is a deal breaker for most people.

550 minutes is a LOT of minutes. I probably use 300-500 a month total, and all I ever use is my cell phone. The text and data limits are a lot more worrying, especially text, as that 150 text example is a joke. I am a college student, so my messaging is higher than normal, but still I did about 3300 in ADDITION to iMessage last month, and my usage is not all all unusual. I know people who do 3k-6k/mo. Hopefully it scales at least 10:1 with minutes, but I am wondering why they are keeping track of texts at all, as they are so cheap to deliver and so easy to rack up so fast.

[CA]

I just found this little tidbit:

Users will also be able to download apps to help manage authentication and payment for Wi-fi networks if they want, but Republic won’t preload any of that onto the handset.

[theEMP]

I just found this little tidbit:

It does make you wonder if Republic is going to be getting some kickbacks from that type of thing. Maybe that is another way they keep monthly cost down.