You don’t need a contract to have a great smartphone anymore.    I’m Fred Fishkin with technology BootCamp, a report on gadgets and gear.    Whether it’s the latest iPhone from a carrier like Virgin Mobile,   the ability to bring your own device on Voyager Mobile… or the new plans out there from the big carriers….you don’t need a contract to have a great phone anymore.   And now, upstart Republic Wireless is selling Google’s new Moto X…for under 300 dollars…without a contract.   Co-founder and CEO David Morken says the move is designed to win customers…and he’s convinced they’ll stay….

“Our plans are from 5 dollars a month for WiFi only data, calling and text to 40 dollars for all you can eat LTE 4G calling, text and Web.”

Republic does it by routing calls and data over WiFi whenever possible to save on costs.   When WiFi isn’t available the company uses Sprint’s network.    There’s more info at RepublicWireless.com.   You can find us at BootCamp.com.   I’m Fred Fishkin.