When announcing device pricing, carriers often tout that customers can get the device for $0 down. However, that price is often only available to certain qualifying customers with good credit. T-Mobile today announced that it’s going to roll out a way for everyone to qualify for a $0 down payment.

T-Mobile Smartphone Equality will launch on January 25. The program aims to give T-Mobile customers the best price possible for a device, including a $0 down payment, for being on-time with their payments for 12 straight months. T-Mo says that existing customers — including folks on prepaid when they sign up for a Simple Choice postpaid plan — can get in on Smartphone Equality right away at launch, because their previous payments will count toward their Smartphone Equality total.

“Last year, the carriers spent billions advertising deals and plans that half of Americans can’t get when signing up for wireless service. That’s complete BS,” said T-Mobile CEO John Legere. “Beginning now, your relationship with us counts more than your credit score.”

It’s understandable that wireless carriers would like to make sure that a consumer has good credit before giving them a near-$1000 smartphone for $0 down, but as T-Mobile notes, that can prevent a lot of folks from getting new devices, even if they just made a mistake a while ago. Smartphone Equality helps to ensure that customers that are diligent and make their bill payments on time are rewarded with a new device for $0 down.

What do you think of T-Mobile’s Smartphone Equality?