Republic Wireless opened its service up to all users in late 2012 after a year-long test period, allowing anyone to buy a Motorola Defy XT for $249 and sign up for the service's $19 per month unlimited talk, text and data plan. Now Republic has revealed that it's adding another way to get in on its service. The carrier is now giving interested customers the option to buy its Defy XT for $99, and in exchange for the lower price of admission, buyers will pay $29 for Republic's unlimited plan. The phone and plan are the same as the $249/$19 option, and consumers that opt to go the $99/$29 route won't need to sign any contract. Republic is also offering a $50 Google Play Store credit with the purchase of a Defy XT through March 18.
While $249 isn't much more than what most high-end smartphones cost with a contract, the Defy XT's $249 price tag may be a bit steep that are interested in Republic Wireless's service as an affordable way to get a cell phone. This new $99 Defy XT/$29 rate plan option provides consumers with an even cheaper way to pick up Republic's smartphone, and while that rate plan is $10 cheaper than the $249 Defy XT's, $29 per month is still a pretty low price for an unlimited talk, text and data plan.
For those that may be unaware, the ability of the Republic Wireless Defy XT to send calls and texts over a Wi-Fi connection is what helps to make the service so cheap. While latched onto a Wi-Fi signal, the Defy XT can send and receive calls and texts just like a normal phone that connects to a cellular network. The Defy XT also works when away from Wi-Fi by utilizing Sprint's CDMA service. To learn more about Republic's service and the Defy XT, you can view Aaron's video review of the Motorola smartphone below.
