Google recently announced Project Fi, a lower-cost wireless service that allows a cellphone to look for a Wi-Fi connection before sending the call through a more expensive cell-tower connection.
The idea got a lot of attention, but a Raleigh company says it’s been doing the same thing for four years.
Republic Wireless, based at North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus, launched in 2011, bringing the WiFi-first concept to cellular customers.
“The phone automatically uses Wi-Fi to send calls and messages, and when they’re outside of Wi-Fi, it automatically switches to the cell network,” said Jon Schniepp, senior vice president of product management.
Schniepp says pushing calls and texts through Wi-Fi saves customers a lot of money. Plans range from $5 a month to $40, and Schniepp says those prices could come down.
“What we’re testing now with customers is to get paid back for cell data you don’t use,” he said.
Another cost-saver is the company’s tech support, which is digital.
“Most customers don’t want to dial into a call center and go through a process,” Schniepp said.
Customers submit a ticket online when they have a problem, and fellow users have a chance to help before Republic’s staff handles it.
Schniepp thinks the entire wireless industry will shift to WiFi-first cell service.
“We expect to see more competitors come in, and along the way we’ll focus on our customers and innovating for them,” he said.
There are a few caveats with Republic Wireless. The phone selection is limited, and customers have to buy the phones at full price.
Also, Republic Wireless uses Sprint as its carrier for cell calls, so reception may not be good in areas with poor Sprint coverage.
The company, a division of Raleigh-based Bandwidth.com, said it has a few hundred thousand subscribers. It plans to announce a partnership with a second cell carrier later this year.
