@cbwahlstrom What does ¨removing hotspot data" mean? Does that mean I can no longer use my phone as an internet hotspot, end of story? Or does it mean that I can use it as a hotspot but need to buy data that is specifically for that purpose as an add-on?
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Today, for the first time, I see that RW finally acknowledged the transition on their website.
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You can use all 30 GB as hotspot data if you pay an additional $10/mo. I signed up to BI early, so I get 5 GB of hotspot at no charge.
Or, if Verizon’s network is a fit, one could pay MobileX or Visible $25/month inclusive of unlimited mobile hotspot rather than paying Boost Infinite $35/month.
If one can live without hotspot, US Mobile matches Boost Infinite’s $25/month pricing.
With MobileX and Visible, it’s premium data (same network priority as Verizon postpaid). With Boost Infinite, cell data is deprioritized from the get go (and that’s before the hard throttle at 30 GB).
I can appreciate why Republic members might want to continue leveraging their current pricing for six months but, otherwise, Boost Infinite doesn’t particularly stand out even on price.
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I will just do the non-visual voicemail on my phone for now (long press the 1 key).
If it gets to be a problem, I guess I can install their app at some point.
This is a fair assessment. I sometimes need a hotspot for my line of work so I will have to see after the 6 months is up if I will stay or move on.
I’m also noticing that Boost Infinite has an add-on of $10 per month in order to have cell service (via roaming) in Canada or Mexico. This is a great benefit to me, and I plan to turn that on/off as I need it. @rolandh Do you know how the other services you mention compare on this point?
Yes, Boost Infinite offers a “North America Connect” add-on for an additional $10/month that offers unlimited talk & text plus 5 GB of cell data. Cell data while roaming in Canada and/or Mexico is not unlimited.
MobileX is working on it. Their approach is said to be data purchased in one country may be used in any other country where MobileX has a carrier partner. Currently, MobileX has one U.S. carrier partner (Verizon) and no publicly known carrier partners outside the U.S.
US Mobile has international roaming that, I believe, is not limited to Canada and Mexico in beta. That said, as of now, US Mobile requires a large deposit of $500 or so to cover unanticipated costs. I don’t see this as a practical offering right now.
Visible offers unlimited talk, text and data roaming in Canada and Mexico but one must upgrade to Visible+ at $45/month.
I don’t get excited about international roaming. Generally, when traveling outside the U.S., I prefer purchasing temporary local cellular service in the country or countries in which I’m traveling. Historically, I’ve found this to provide more bang for my buck than paying a domestic U.S. carrier to roam internationally. Canada, whose domestic cellular market is terrible might be an exception.
Alternatively, I might purchase an international data eSIM from a vendor such as Airalo. Of course, using an eSIM requires one have an eSIM capable phone or maybe not:
I probably need to update it but here’s an article I wrote on international travel when we launched this Community back in November 2022:
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Thanks so much for your help, @rolandh!
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Another story in the BI transition saga.
I have a friend who, unfortunately, I put on a Republic Wireless 5.0 plan 15 months ago or so. She received her email early last week about the transition which told her that there was no reason for her to get a replacement SIM and that the transition would occur automatically. So far so good.
She got a little confused and decided to call in to the number in the email (which I assume is DISH?) And was told in no uncertain terms by TWO different customer service agents that the email was wrong.
Not only would her Republic Wireless 5.0 SIM not work after the end of August and that she needed to get it replaced with a new SIM immediately, but that if she did not do so her phone would stop working! So she had them send her a new SIM which just arrived today.
Anyone else being told stuff like this that completely contradicts the information in the emails?
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Ever tried pdanet? I’ve used it in the past and it worked well. I’m looking forward to trying it again. 
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Hello everyone. It’s been a looong time since I’ve posted. I like the website design change to this forum.
I first saw this news about a switch over to Boost Infinite on this forum, and I’m going to have to read up on it in detail very soon. I’m currently on the (last?) 5.0 plan from Republic Wireless by Dish.
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Hi @aFloridian,
Glad you migrated to the new forum. Yeah, everyone is kind of re-evaluating their needs now that RW is shutting down. Boost Infinite has only one plan (but there are add-ons) so it may not be the best fit for you. There are a number of reviews for competitive plans in the “Reviews” section of this site.
I migrated to Boost Infinite in December. However, you should have received an email from Republic with instructions and a code. I understand that if you are on a 5.0 plan, you can keep the SIM card you have (and therefore, the underlying carrier you have) should you decide to migrate to BI. In that case, you will need to contact customer support for the code. You can call (833) 558-5820. I posted a sample of the email that was sent (below).
How To Get Started:
Your Personalized Code: [Redacted]
Use this personalized code as part of the activation process outlined below.
- Connect to WiFi and go to www.boostinfinite.com/republic
- Log in using your primary account phone number and personalized code.
- Follow the online instructions to update the billing information (credit card required) for your Boost Infinite $25 plan.
- Starting on 8/20/23, your service will be transitioned from Republic Wireless to Boost Infinite’s $25 plan. This will happen seamlessly, and you’ll receive a notification when complete.
Once your Infinite service is active, download the Boost Infinite app, and set up your account
Have Questions?
Log in to www.boostinfinite.com/republic for FAQs or call (833) 558-5820 for a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process; start to finish. Support is available daily from 6 am - 10 pm MST.
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That looks promising but sadly I would not be able to install the companion app on my work laptop.
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Okay, so once it goes active this Sunday I will be able to sign on? Right now it does not recognize me. Also, do you know if I will be able to reset my voicemail passcode? I discovered last week that my passcode doesn’t work anymore. The only way I can access my voicemails is with the visual voicemail app.
Do you have a 5.0 plan? If so, you’re supposed to be able to sign into the migration website now.
Migrations for members are supposed to start on Sunday, August 20th but there is no way to tell when a particular member with a 5.0 plan’s service will migrate to Boost Infinite and it might take as long as until August 31st.
Did you receive email from Republic about the transition?
Presuming I’m correct about your having a 5.0 plan currently, there is no self-help way to reset your voicemail password. You would need to contact support.
Yes I am on 5.0 and got the email. Went to the link and entered my code and entered my payment details. But there was no way to actually sign in. I downloaded the app and cannot sign in as it does not yet recognize my email or phone number. I thought that once it transitions on the 20th or after that I should now be able to reset my voicemail code myself. Really annoying if not. I liked the old way where it was so easy to change it yourself.
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Hi @ohplus,
I’m confused. As far as I know, to add payment information at the transition website you would have needed to sign in. Signing in at the transition website is done with your Republic phone number and the code provided in Republic’s email. If you were able to do that much, that’s all there is to do for now.
The Boost Infinite app is of no use until one’s account is actually migrated. For members with 5.0 plans, migration will occur sometime between August 20, 2023 and August 31, 2023.
According to Republic’s email, even if 5.0 members do nothing prior to migration, their accounts will be “seamlessly” migrated. Theoretically, there would still be 15 days after migration to add payment information. Boost Infinite bills 15 days after activation. After migration is when one would use the Boost Infinite app for account management inclusive of adding payment information if not done at the transition website before migration.
Regarding the voicemail password situation; this has more to do with AT&T than Republic Wireless/Boost Infinite. AT&T is the upstream carrier partner for Republic 5.0 and voicemail for those with Republic 5.0 plans is hosted on AT&T’s network.
Boost Infinite does generally offer a choice of either AT&T or T-Mobile coverage but the choice is Boost Infinite’s not the customer’s. Specific to the migration from Republic Wireless to Boost Infinite, the choice made for members with 5.0 plans is to keep them on AT&T’s network as that’s what they have now and presumably that’s working well for them. It’s also why members with 5.0 plans do not need a new SIM.
As an aside, T-Mobile does offer a way for customers to reset their voicemail password but AT&T does not.
Thanks for your help! I guess I’ll try to switch to Boost Infinite maybe on Sunday.
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