Is Republic Wireless Shutting Down?

Hi @rolandh !

@rosedoodle said:
Been trying to see what people here and elsewhere like for no-contract cell service.

In terms of phone, phone service or both?

If asking about unlocked phones; did you have a particular brand in mind? Do you want to stick with Android? Or, would you consider iPhone?

I might finally go with an iPhone, though it depends on a couple of things. What I love the most about this Samsung A32 5g is the batter life. Seems people at work are continually looking for the communal iPhone charger. My phone goes 2-3 days on a charge. Maybe I don’t use mine as much.

If asking about alternate phone service, fellow members of this Community have reviewed some in our Reviews category. Additionally, I’m beta testing MobileX. If in the market for “unlimited”, Visible is offering an attractive price for new customers bringing their own phone. Visible’s reputation for support, however, isn’t great. Though we don’t yet have a review for them, US Mobile is worth considering. Folks whose judgement I trust are happy with US Mobile.

When considering alternate providers, one wants to determine some things:

  • Does the cellular partner’s network (AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon) offer quality coverage where one needs it?
  • Is the phone one wishes to use or is considering acquiring compatible with the cellular partner’s network?
  • If strong customer support is important, in addition to the experiences of one’s fellow member’s here, one might want to look at a provider’(s) reviews on Trustpilot.

I will check all of this out when I get a minute. Since the switch to DISH my cell service is better than it ever was. At home, at work, everywhere.

Finally, I’ll just say this. If RW by DISH service is working well for you, I don’t think there’s a need to do anything just yet.

Should the day come DISH decides to shut down the RW brand, I expect they would extend an offer to migrate to one or more of their surviving brands. Of course, this presumes any potential future shutdown is orderly and orderly does seem to be a challenge for DISH. Such an offer would need to account for the promises (particularly discounts previously extended) made to members.

When DISH acquired the RW brand, it acquired the brand’s commitments. If DISH fails to keep those commitments, I do not see myself remaining a customer of any DISH owned brand. In addition to RW, Boost Infinite, Boost Mobile, Gen Mobile and Ting Mobile are all DISH owned brands.

I agree. Not going anywhere soon. Totally up to how DISH does business down the road. I’m paying less than before the switch and getting better coverage. The $50 phone is just fine for my needs, though I shattered the selfie camera when I threw it across the room in frustration during baseball season :# not that I ever use it. The front-facing camera is under par but I do own an actual camera for that. I do like the quality of photos I see from iPhones, I gotta say. Better camera and water resistance would be nice.

DISH just haven’t instilled much confidence so I’m just trying to have an idea for a back up plan in the mean time.

Thanks for your help and all the info!