Republic Wireless is celebrating its independence today, and it’s celebrating big: if you buy a qualifying smartphone from the carrier, it comes with six months of free service!

You might not know what Republic Wireless is, and I don’t blame you: it’s been living under the shadow of its parent company, borrowing big carriers’ networks to provide service to customers. First, it was Sprint’s network, and that continued for five years ever since the birth of Republic Wireless. And not too long ago, it added support for T-Mobile’s network, which was kind of a game-changer.

Having T-Mobile support meant customers were able to purchase latest Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S7 or the Nexus 6P and use T-Mobile’s GSM network including its LTE. Except all that was for a fraction of the price you’d pay at T-Mobile. In fact, Republic Wireless – a self-proclaimed Wi-Fi first carrier – offers plans as low as $5 a month, and its basic smartphone plan with unlimited call and text plus 1GB of data costs $20. Compare that to $80 or more with any of the Big Four carriers in the US, it’s hard to deny that it’s a bargain.

Well, the carrier has secured enough funding to become an independent company, separate from its parent company Bandwidth. And although its relationship with T-Mobile is unchanged, this marks an important beginning for the Wi-Fi first carrier. And that’s why if you buy the Moto Z Play (discounted at $349) between December 7^th through 12^th of the Huawei Ascend 5W (discounted at $129) between December 13^th through 19^th, Republic Wireless is willing to give you contract-free six months of free service. That includes unlimited calling and texting as well as 1GB of data.

Republic Wireless is willing to give you contract-free six months of free service. That includes unlimited calling and texting as well as 1GB of data.

Chris Chuang, CEO of Republic Wireless, emphasizes just how much money it’s helped its customers save by offering comparable plans at much lower price points:

The past five years have been an incredible ride as we’ve worked hard to save our customers tens of millions of dollars off their cell phone bills.

Are you using Republic Wireless right now? How is it treating you? Let us know by leaving a comment below!