[4][5][6] Republic Wireless began beta service on November 8, 2011, with the LG Optimus S[7] and later the Motorola Defy XT in July 2012.

[9] On November 14, 2013, Republic officially came out of its Beta testing period and began offering the Moto X for $299 with four new service plans starting at $5 per month.

In August 2016, Republic also added a bring-your-own-phone (BYOP) compatibility to its service plans by offering SIM card kit sales in their online store.

[18] Industry analyst Martha DeGrasse wrote that Dish probably acquired the company mainly for its engineers and technology rather than for its existing subscriber base.

[4] CNET wrote that the low price point would be "a home run" for parents who are interested in low-cost plans for young children.

[7] The Atlantic was more hesitant, acknowledging that the price point would be attractive to some consumers but speculating that the low-cost business model may lead to unreliable service.

[25] PC World questioned Republic Wireless' marketing the plan as "unlimited" given the expectations that users monitor a "Cellular Usage Index" and remain within "fair use guidelines".

The magazine faulted the company for advertising unlimited voice and data while simultaneously describing membership as a "privilege" and reserving the right to terminate users who crossed an undefined "fair use threshold".

[26] MSNBC wrote that coverage will be unlimited on WiFi access but when on the mobile network, consumers will be held to a monthly limit of 550 minutes of voice, 150 SMS, and 300 megabytes of data or face termination of their subscription.

[27] ZDNet gave the company a 9 out of 10 star review in November, 2013 saying "You are unlikely to find a phone as capable and priced as low as the Republic Wireless Moto X...the service offerings are fantastic."

"[29] Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal gave rave reviews to Republic when they came out of Beta testing in November, 2013 saying this was a chance for callers to get "a top-tier, current-model smartphone with all the bells and whistles, and pay between $5 and $40 a month for unlimited voice, text and data.

[32] In April 2014, an article in The Wealth Gospel posited that Republic is "poised to be a disruptor in the mobile telecommunications market," citing that the company offers customers an opportunity to "shrug off the shackles of contracts and high monthly costs.

[35] In March 2014, Republic Wireless Chairman David Morken said the number of customers subscribed to the company's service totaled several hundred thousand.