Today, Republic Wireless announces a feature they’ve been working on for five years: Wi-Fi calling. First launched in 2011, Republic Wireless made tentative steps into this technology. In 2013, the company was able to have phones switch from Wi-Fi to cellular signals. Then, in mid-2015 Republic Wireless was able to achieve going from cellular back to Wi-Fi.
Now, in 2016 they introduce what they call “Adaptive Coverage enabled with Bonded Calling”. With this technology, your phone will have simultaneous connections over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G LTE networks. The company says they now “do what no other carrier does”.
Speaking of carriers, the company now says they’re partnering with a “nationwide GSM carrier with the fastest nationwide 4G LTE network” to its cellular network, as well as partnering with a selection of the latest and greatest Android phones, including:
- Moto X Pure Edition
- Huawei Nexus 6p
- LG Nexus 5X
- Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016 model)
- Samsung Galaxy S6
- Samsung Galaxy S7
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
“We’ve been working for this day since we first launched on November 19th,
2011. Our vision has always been to make our remarkably affordable and fair
services available to the vast majority of the Android smartphone market.”
Note: This article has been updated to correct a misunderstanding of Wi-Fi calling, and the difference between Bonded Calling and Project Fi.
Um, what? Republic has had wifi calling since it began, this isn’t anything newly announced. And calling over wifi at the same time as 3g/4g isn’t the premise of Google Fi at all. Fi’s premise is using either t-mobile or sprint depending on who’s network is better at the time. I think they also do wifi calling too (?)
Andrew is misunderstanding what Republic is doing….
So far there have been wi-fi calls only or cell calls only. Then they added the technology for one to transfer (and back) to the other. That alone was amazing technology.
But, there was a slight hiccup in the sound quality when the switch happened, and, on either wifi or cell, call quality was somewhat mixed, as is true for all cell phones.
So, RW came up with spectacular new technology that no one in the business has: “bonded calling.” Here’s how it works:
Your call starts on wifi. Then, when the software detects dropped voice packets (that’s what makes cell calls (or wifi calls) choppy), it triggers bonded calling, which means it latches onto cell coverage at the same time! And, literally, the phone then has voice packets racing each other, across wifi or cell, and reassembling in your phone. Fastest packets win. The net result is unbelievable call quality. I know, I’ve been with RW for a long time and on the same wifi and cell towers the whole time. The change and quality are incredible.
Read more about it at their website, but that’s the gist.
(And, nope, I’m not associated with Republic at all, except I’m on incredibly happy, loyal customer…..!)