Republic Wireless is a popular American-based Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) and no-contract wireless service provider. It is a subsidiary of Dish Wireless. Additionally, Republic Wireless offers its customers cheap cellular service, flexible and affordable plans, nationwide coverage, and more. The company sells low-cost cell phones which default to Wi-Fi. When Wi-Fi is unavailable, the company falls back on its partner network provider. This article will focus on what network does Republic Wireless uses when the Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Most wireless providers have used this MVNO mode of operation has been used for a while. That implies that these phone companies lease space on the towers of major wireless providers for network provision. Since the MVNOs do not need to construct and maintain the cell tower, it allows the carriers to pass their savings onto customers by providing affordable plans.
One wireless provider’s main selling point is its reliable nationwide coverage that connects 99% of the American population. As a virtual operator, Republic Wireless has agreements with one of the country’s primary carriers; therefore, you can get excellent reception throughout the country. The provider provides free talk and text roaming, a 14-day money-back guarantee if you are not entirely satisfied with their network coverage, and free hotspot capabilities.
What network does Republic Wireless use?
According to the brains behind the MVNO technology, Republic Wireless uses Wi-Fi first for network provision. The use of Wi-Fi should not surprise you since it is more cost-effective than cellular networks despite being unreliable.
When it comes to saving money, you are assured that wireless is the way to go. However, what happens when Wi-Fi is unavailable? Fine, Republic Wireless coverage piggybacks on another network to deliver an incredible calling experience to their customers.
Since Republic Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator, it does not own its wireless network infrastructure; that way, the MVNO uses another major company’s infrastructure and network towers. Republic Wireless initially used both T-Mobile’s and Sprint’s LTE networks to offer wireless service to its consumers. In 2020, after T-Mobile and Sprint merged, Dish Wireless had acquired by Republic Wireless.
While Dish Wireless is constructing its own 5G service network and planning to take Sprint’s place among the nation’s major carriers, Republic Wireless has secure access to T-Mobile’s network for the next few years.
In fact, of the three US largest networks, T-Mobile (Republic Wireless) has the worst 4G LTE coverage in rural areas. However, that is not an issue to many people who live in cities and towns, as the network coverage is comprehensive here.
T-Mobile’s 5G network infrastructure is extensive and better than its competitors. Even though this doesn’t solve its rural areas coverage issue, it means that those living in metropolitan areas will experience exceptional performance.
Meanwhile, you can purchase the best cell phone boosters for rural areas if you experience dropped calls, unsent texts, and slow internet speeds while in remote areas. With all these said, it’s pretty comfortable to say you will get good coverage with Republic Wireless.
How good is the Republic Wireless network?
Before the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint networks in 2020, T-Mobile had 59% of 4G coverage while Sprint had 27% of 4G coverage. At the launch of the MVNO, Republic Wireless was using Sprint’s network for its service. Therefore, Republic Wireless coverage was less than remarkable.
Later on, in 2016, Republic Wireless added T-Mobile to give users more choices when the Wi-Fi network is unavailable. However, the Republic Wireless customers had to access one of the two networks and not both of them once. Still, the Republic Wireless’ network coverage remained less than spectacular in most areas where T-Mobile or Sprint network is not extensive.
After the T-Mobile-Sprint merge, T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network covers 99% of the population. T-Mobile has also become the United States’ largest and fastest 5G network. Since Republic Wireless currently has the freedom of using T-Mobile’s network, it’s comfortable to conclude that their network is excellent, comprehensive, fast, and reliable.
How is Republic Wireless network coverage and comparison to other networks?
You can compare Republic Wireless’s network coverage to the new T-Mobile’s network coverage since they are identical. The MVNO uses T-Mobile’s infrastructure, towers, and network. Therefore, the wireless companies provide a 99% 4G LTE coverage and an 80% 5G coverage, the largest in the US.
New T-Mobile’s cell towers that Republic Wireless also uses are in over 8300 cities and towns in the United States. This coverage is twice the 5G coverage area of T-Mobile’s main competitors: Verizon or AT&T. Are you curious to know how the three major networks compare in terms of 4G and 5G coverage? Below is how they compare.
4G Network Coverage
- Verizon: 70% 4G coverage
- AT&T: 68% 4G coverage
- T-Mobile (Republic Wireless): 62% 4G coverage (99% of the population)
5G Network Coverage
- T-Mobile (Republic Wireless): 36.7% 5G coverage (80% of the population)
- AT&T: 15.9% 5G coverage
- Verizon: 10.9% 5G coverage
As you can see from the above comparison, Republic Wireless network is very reliable as it leases T-Mobile’s reliable and broad network coverage. Regarding 4G network coverage, Republic Wireless has the third-best coverage in the US, with 62% of the territory and 99% of the population.
Regarding 5G network coverage, T-Mobile (Republic Wireless) has the best coverage in the US, covering 36.7% of the territory and 80% of the population. T-Mobile’s (Republic Wireless) 5G coverage is more than twice as much as AT&T’s second-best 5G coverage.
With this impressive percentage coverage, you can be sure that you will not lose cell phone reception and always stay connected, especially in most metropolitan and largely populated areas. Their network coverage is less reliable in remote areas, mountainous areas, forests, hilly areas, and sparsely-populated because the cell towers for T-Mobile and Sprint are unevenly distributed.
If you are hiking in those areas, it is advisable to go along with portable cell phone signal boosters for hiking to improve network coverage where there is lousy coverage.
Is Republic Wireless Network GSM or CDMA?
It is essential to know that CDMA is an abbreviation for Code Division Multiple Access, while GSM is for Global System for Mobiles. The two are different radio network standards used by cellular carriers. In the past years, CDMA was the most used and popular network in the United States, but in recent years, most carriers have preferred the GSM network to the CDMA networks known for carrying a smaller footmark.
Republic Wireless used to be a virtual network operator of Sprint mobile, a CDMA carrier with multiple access. On the other hand, T-Mobile has always been known as a GSM network. Since the two merged, Sprint/Republic Wireless and T-Mobile and their MVNOs use the CDMA/LTE and GSM networks.
Since most phones support different network standards, older phones from Sprint/Republic Wireless customers may not work on T-Mobile’s network, and you must replace them with the latest phone models.
What other wireless providers use the same network as Republic Wireless?
Since the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, all the MVNOs like Republic Wireless that formerly used T-Mobile’s or Sprint’s tower now use the new T-Mobile network. They include;
- Boost Mobile
- Mint Mobile
- Consumer Cellular
- Metro by T-Mobile
- Google Fi
- Red pocket
- Virgin Mobile
- Gen Mobile
Does Republic Wireless network support international services?
Republic Wireless is not the best carrier for you if you need a cell phone to make international calls. The MVNO does not allow customers to make international calls or texts. However, they can receive international communications in the US or travel abroad.
You must have a Wi-Fi connection to receive these calls and texts. While international calling is restricted, you can only make calls or send texts to the following territories; Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Johnston Atoll, Midway Atoll, American Samoa, Canada, and Wake Island.
How to improve cell phone reception on the Republic Wireless network?
If you are struggling with poor cell phone reception, there are ways to boost cell signals at home for free and others at a cost. They include;
i) Change your location
One way to improve your reception is relocating to a place with specific, verifiable, excellent, and reliable network coverage. You can confirm it earlier by checking Republic Wireless’ website and network coverage map.
ii) Upgrade your device
Latest phones feature advanced radio technology designed to get newer and faster T-Mobile signals and spectrums. They can get better cell phone reception and network coverage than older models.
iii) Purchase a signal booster/internet booster
If you experience prone signal problems, it is time to purchase a signal booster to improve your coverage. The boosters are designed to catch a weak signal and strengthen it for better cell phone reception. Find out how does an internet booster works in more detail.
Bottom line
Republic Wireless is a US-based Mobile Virtual network operator implying that it does not own its network towers but leases them from another primary carrier. The MVNO uses the T-Mobile nationwide network, offering 4G and 5G coverage with an affordable price tag.
You will find that T-Mobile (Republic Wireless) has more extensive coverage in metropolitan areas than in remote areas. However, Republic Wireless customers in those areas can purchase signal boosters compatible with T-Mobile for improved coverage.
