Overview
Learn about Republic Wireless' international service such as what type of calling and messaging you can do while in or outside of the United States.
Definitions
For the purposes of this article, we've defined groups of geographical locations to better understand what can and can't be done in a particular area. Please see below for these definitions.
- “International” is defined as anything outside of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Johnston Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Wake Island
- “Non-International” is defined as the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Johnston Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Wake Island
- “Per Call Countries/Territories/Protectorates” is defined as Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Johnston Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Wake Island
The legal version of this information is available in our Terms and Conditions.
Policy
Please use the drop downs below for what type of calling, messaging, and data can and cannot be done while in or outside of the United States.
Calling/Messaging While in the United States
Calling
- You cannot call “International” phone numbers, with the exception of Canada; you can call Canadian phone numbers
- You can use an international phone card to place “International” calls using your Republic Wireless phone
- You can receive calls from “International” phone numbers
Messaging (SMS/MMS)
- You can receive SMS/MMS from “International” phone numbers
- You cannot send SMS/MMS to “International” phone numbers
Traveling Internationally
- Cellular calling doesn’t work “Internationally”
- You can make a call from anywhere in the world on WiFi to any “Non-International” and Canadian numbers
- You can also use an international phone card to place “International” calls using your Republic Wireless phone, as long as you’re on WiFi
- You can receive a call from anywhere in the world, as long as you are on WiFi
- You can receive SMS/MMS from “International” phone numbers on WiFi only
- You cannot send SMS/MMS to “International” phone numbers
- You can send and receive SMS/MMS to and from any “Non-International and Canadian phone numbers on WiFi only
- Cellular data doesn’t work “Internationally”
- Use as much WiFi data as you want!
Traveling in Per Call Countries/Territories/Protectorates
- You can make and receive calls to and from any “Non-International” and Canadian phone numbers on WiFi only
- You cannot make calls to “International” numbers
- You can use an international phone card to place “International” calls using your Republic Wireless phone on WiFi only
- You can receive calls from “International” phone numbers on WiFi only
- You can send and receive SMS/MMS to and from any “Non-International” and Canadian phone numbers on WiFi only
- You can receive SMS/MMS from “International” phone numbers on WiFi only
- You cannot send SMS/MMS to “International” phone numbers
- Cellular data doesn’t work in “Per Call Countries/Territories/Protectorates”
- Use as much WiFi data as you want!
Additional Notes
- If your SIM type is CDMA and you travel internationally, you may experience error messages around cellular configuration. When traveling internationally, it is best to have a GSM SIM card installed.
- You can request a GSM SIM card by opening a Help Ticket
- If you're not sure what type of SIM card you have, see How to Tell If a Phone Is Active on GSM or CDMA
- NOTE: this only applies Republic Wireless 3.0 phones on our My Choice (4.0) plans; 1.0/2.0 phones with SIM cards cannot be used with GSM SIM cards
- If you’re using a phone with one of our My Choice (4.0) plans, you can also use a local provider’s SIM card while traveling as long as their SIM card and service is compatible with your phone. Just make sure to keep your Republic service line active (meaning you keep making payments) so that when you come back, your service and phone number will still work