REALLY Wireless Pros and Cons: All You Need to Know Before You Sign Up

REALLY Wireless isn't like any network you've used before. Our mission is to inspire a global community to power the world's largest mobile network. We believe in a world where quality mobile connectivity is universally accessible, where individuals have full control over their data, and where the planet thrives in the process. It's not just about technology; it's making the world a better place than we found it.

From our core values to the way our plans are structured, we've analyzed what the other MVNOs are doing so that we can build something better. But at the end of the day, how does all of that work stack up? What's it REALLY (ha!) like to be a REALLY Wireless user?

That's why we're giving you a look behind the scenes of REALLY Wireless, including:

• Benefits of REALLY Wireless + DeWi in general
• Downsides of choosing REALLY (we all have 'em 🤷)
• How REALLY compares to other carriers on the factors that matter most to you

Let’s talk about it. 

For starters, allow us to introduce ourselves.

REALLY is a new cell phone service that’s here to disrupt an industry that's been stagnant for way too long. We saw room for improvement in the way things worked, so we improved it.

When you're comparing phone providers in the United States, there are two major options: major wireless carriers called Mobile Network Operators aka MNOs (think Verizon, T-Mobile) and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). MVNOs lease wireless capacity from MNOs and sell it under their own brand with their own prices, promotions, and customer service. Since they aren't paying for maintaining the infrastructure that makes a wireless network work, they can typically offer  lower prices than the big names.

🛜 Cell phone plans from major carriers can be expensive, but you generally get first dibs on as much high-speed data as you want each month. Each MNO has its own towers and its own network that delivers coverage across the country, and they spend a lot of time maintaining and upgrading that network to maximize data speeds for everyone using it. They are in a constant race against people’s increasing data usage, especially in major metropolitan areas where lots of people in an area are trying to connect to the same towers.

🛜 MVNOs, on the other hand, deliver more affordable coverage, but there's the caveat of potential data slowdowns. Since they have limited access to high-speed data compared to the MNOs they're leasing from, users are more likely to have a limit on the high-speed data they can use every month baked right into their plan. Plus when lots of people from the MNOs and MVNOs who are using the same network are trying to connect at the same time, MNOs give priority to their own customers... which means MVNO users are the ones left with slow connections.

Neither one is necessarily better -- they both have their trade-offs. So the choice between MNO vs MVNO is more about what works best for you.

🛜 REALLY is an entirely new type of phone plan, giving users a third choice of wireless provider. We combine the power of America's largest and fastest 5G network and our own REALLY Decentralized Wireless (DeWi) structure to give you the best of both worlds. Users have full control over their data, universal mobile connectivity, and get to jump in at the ground floor for an exciting new service.

REALLY Wireless Pros and Cons

With three types of providers and tons of different brands on the market, it can be difficult to find the cell phone carrier for you. REALLY Wireless does things a little differently, so we'll break down the pros and cons to help you get an idea of whether or not this is the right choice for you.

There are many factors to this decision, and let’s get into them. 

✅ PRO — Data Privacy + Security

Since REALLY relies on two types of network (T-Mobile's 5G towers + REALLY DeWi), our encryption process is twofold to keep you protected from end to end.

On 5G: We use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 or Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 encryption to keep your data safe when being sent. For stored data, we use AE 256 and follow strict guidelines to make sure that the keys, algorithms, and techniques we use enhance the security of your data.

On REALLY DeWi: We don't store your data. Period. We collect minimal information on network health metrics, but that's it. We also use AES 256 standards when your data is being transmitted, and again use AES 256 for data at rest. Plus, an added layer of security with Application-Level Encryption for full end-to-end encryption.

✅ PRO — Cell Phone Plans

No hidden fees >>>>>

REALLY Limitless costs $129/mo for the first line, and $38/mo for each additional line.

That's a little more expensive than coverage from even major wireless networks, but it comes with a unique set of benefits that no other carrier can compete with:

• Groundbreaking 5G speeds on the largest + fastest 5G network in the country
• REALLY DeWi for nationwide coverage that's disconnected from the Big Three
• Unlimited high speed data*, talk, and text
• Fully encrypted calling
• Calling covered in 175+ countries
• 200 countries covered with roaming rates
• Discounts for teachers, military, healthcare, and first responders
• For every plan purchased, we donate a plan
• No contract prepaid service
• and more

‍Early adopters get 60% off for life for a limited time >

✅ PRO — Decentralized Wireless

REALLY comes with unlimited high-speed data, so you never have to worry about using too much and losing your high-speed data for the month, like with many MVNOs. And our DeWi network is built by the people, for the people, with many nodes all over the country creating a seamless network. 

If you're not familiar with DeWi, perhaps the best way to break it down is to start with a traditional communications network, like T-Mobile. T-Mobile owns towers across the country that create a network to provide cellular coverage from coast to coast.

A decentralized wireless network is the opposite. Instead of REALLY owning lots of towers, we set a bunch of our customers up with network antennas to essentially create a "tower" wherever they are. So it's a wireless network where consumers act as the nodes, rather than having company-owned cell towers act as the nodes.

You may ask: what would make someone buy into that system when there is no network to start with? 

In one way or another, Decentralized Networks reward everyone who has a stake in the network. Consumers who have an antenna receive compensation every time a device uses their node. For instance, if you have an antenna on your house and someone walks by and loads a song on Spotify, you receive some compensation. Pretty nice, right?

Plus, since REALLY uses 5G and DeWi, you get all of the benefits of both systems.

✅ PRO — Coverage

REALLY utilizes T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G LTE nationwide networks to provide customers with fantastic coverage in almost every state. T-Mobile is working hard on its 5G network, constantly deploying more towers to increase its lightning-fast coverage around the country. Make sure to check your local coverage maps for information regarding the best cell phone coverage in your area! 

One of the big benefits of a DeWi network is that it doesn’t rely on a huge company to designate areas where the network will grow, rather anyone anywhere can set up a node to start building the network in their area. So, buh bye dead zones 😎

✅ PRO — Customer Service

Customer service is obviously an important feature when it comes to getting a new cell phone plan. Who do you go to have you have questions about getting set up, and can you access help if you're having an issue with your phone or plan?

REALLY has dedicated concierge customer service, so we're there for you any time you need us. Doesn't matter when or where -- if you have any trouble with coverage, network nodes, or anything else, you can contact us by email, our website, or even slide into our DMs and we'll get back to you ASAP.

Answering Your FAQs

Speaking of customer service, there are a handful of questions we get all the time. So here's a cheat sheet, just in case you're wondering the same things.

What Sets REALLY Mobile Apart? 

DeWi. We're the first ones in the game. By using a community to build up our network and give $$$ back to our customers who help us out by putting nodes on their homes, we're creating a totally new type of cell phone service.

Plus, REALLY is the world's first and only fully encrypted and private wireless carrier.

How Much Does It Cost?

$129/mo for the first line, and $38/mo for each additional line

It’s pay-as-you-go upfront, so you never have to worry about getting roped into a years long contract. You can switch on and off this service whenever you wish.  

Not to mention the early adopter special of $49 for life with a money back guarantee.

What's the Limitless Plan Like?

Unlimited high-speed data, talk, and text that leverages the largest and fastest 5G network in the country plus REALLY DeWi for coverage unlike anything you've seen before.

What Network does REALLY Mobile Use?

REALLY is continuously building out the DeWi network, but we also have a deal with T-Mobile to provide nationwide 5G and 4G LTE coverage to all users.

This way, you'll have great coverage no matter where you are in the United States. And if you don't, we can help you create it by getting you set up with an antenna of your own.

Can You Bring Your Own Cell Phone?

Yes! As long as your phone is unlocked, you can keep the device you already have. A customer service concierge can help you make sure your device is compatible, and once we double check, it's a go!

How We Stack Up to the Competition

We think that REALLY is the best option (duh) but everyone is looking for something different in their phone plan. So let's compare.

REALLY vs. Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile also operates on T-Mobile’s network, and we get compared to each other a lot.

Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan (which comes with 35 GB high-speed data) is only $30 a month, far less expensive than what REALLY has to offer. However, there's some fine print to read... in order to get the plan for such a steal, you do need sign up for a year-long contract.

Mint Mobile also offers family plan savings, which lets multi-line plans snag the lowest prices while only signing up for three-month contracts.

With REALLY, you prepay for one month at a time and can opt out whenever you want. At Mint, you have to pay the bill for the whole contract's worth of service up front, which can be a big payment if you buy a year at a time.  

If you prefer flexibility, REALLY's no-contract Limitless plan can't be beat.

If your budget is on the line, Mint Mobile's deal might be the better option for you, even if you have to lock it in for 12 months and pay the whole balance up front. Lots of people have complaints about Mint's coverage, service, and rate hikes, so maybe it's safer to lock in the deal while you can anyway.

REALLY vs. Visible

Visible is an MVNO that operates on Verizon’s network, and honestly, we like 'em.

But the major downside of Visible is that they only offer two plans, and both are unlimited. REALLY is similar that way -- beyond Limitless, you can just add extra international coverage as you need it.

These are both good options for high-data users who want to get the most out of their cell phones while out and about.

Summary: REALLY Is Great, But Is It Right for You?

✅ The Good

• Decentralized Network. REALLY uses REALLY DeWi network alongside T-Mobile’s 5G network to keep you covered all over the country. DeWi nodes are a great way to build networks in less populated places, keeping their network strong even where T-Mobile’s network is not.
• T-Mobile's network. You get access to the largest and fastest 5G network in the country.
• Become a Host. Any REALLY Mobile customer can install a node on their roof. You’ll start earning from the moment it’s set up at your home!
• International calling and texting. Enjoy international calling in 175+ countries included, with optional international plans you can add as needed.

🤷 The Bad

• No physical stores. This is not a big deal for most, but there is no place where you can bring your phone if you run into issues. Instead there is online customer support if you need assistance.
• No phone selection. Really Mobile does not have an online cell phone store where you can buy phones and have them financed through REALLY. If you are a new customer, we recommend bringing your phone along as part of the plan. You can purchase phones directly from stores like Best Buy that are not attached to any provider, which makes for an easy switch.
• Double SIM. In order to take advantage of REALLY DeWi and T-Mobile's 5G, which is required for all plans, your device needs to be dual SIM compatible. Most newer devices are, but we can help you check.

The bottom line: REALLY is an unbeatable option for high-data users and anyone who wants to enjoy high-speed data without using a major carrier. With a powerful combination of 5G and DeWi, it's coverage unlike anything else on the market if you can afford the upgrade. If your area isn't covered now, you can sign up to host a node to extend the network where you need and put cash in your pocket at the same time.

Plus there's a lot to look forward to -- as the number of nodes around the country grows, so will our DeWi network. We've also got some exciting features in the works that will be included with Limitless, like dead zone destroyer for full signal inside your home, built-in VPN, and even an AI privacy assistant for dealing with spam calls and texts.

So learn how to become a host, get a plan, or both today and experience everything REALLY has to offer!