Republic Wireless, a new provider of voice and data services that utilizes WiFi and wireless networks for a flat fee of under $20, is formally launching the service after a months-long trial and testing dating back more than a year.

The company hopes to ship 50,000 smartphones to customers before Jan. 1, Bandwidth Chief Executive Officer David Morken told WRAL news.

Based on response so far to the service, Morken forsees more than 300,000 users within a few months.

Republic is part of Raleigh-based Bandwidth, which recently moved into Red Hat’s former headquarters at North Carolina State’s Centennial Campus.

The privately held communications and services firm said Wednesday that “thousands” of smartphones have already been shipped. 

The service, which includes unlimited data, text and voice, costs $19 a month. Republic launched a beta version of the network this past summer.

The service is much less expensive than similar unlimited data and voice plans offered by dominant carriers such as AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile.

Republic’s service relies on a hybrid of technology, connecting customers over WiFi networks when available and shifting connections to Sprint’s 3G wireless network if WiFi is not accessible.

Republic has drawn considerable media attention and a big following of users since it began offering service on a trial basis last year.

“This is a story about the way smartphones should be – a smart phone with a smarter phone plan,” Morken explained. “Republic Wireless is all about providing great benefits and returning value to customers with a WiFi smartphone.”

The phones being made available for shipment to consumers include the Motorola Defy XT model, which is Android powered and includes Corning Gorilla Glass on its 3.7-inch screen. Republic is offering the phone for $249.

The company is trying to make sign-up for the service and receiving activation simple processes through a website where customers pick a phone, select a phone number and then head to checkout.

A year ago, Republic secured its own country code, enabling its customers to place and receive calls from around the globe. “Numbers associated with the Republic Wireless country code make it easier and cheaper for your friends and family outside the US to get in touch with you,” Republic posted at its website.

As a result, Republic is offering customers the chance to secure their own global phone number.