Skip to main content

First responders to qualify for discounts under new AT&T policy

AT&T has announced that it will now be offering first responders discounts on a wide range of its services. The offer includes discounts on cell plans, home internet, and television.

In terms of phone plans, the company is offering qualified first responders 25 percent off its Unlimited and More plans. These plans do offer uses unlimited data, but they can be slowed down when the networks are congested. However, it is important to point out that these aren’t plans that are being offered to first responder organizations. Instead, the company is offering individual first responders a discount on their consumer plans. In addition to unlimited data, these plans offer users access to a range of entertainment features such as Amazon Prime, HBO, and more. The company’s Unlimited Premium and More plan will cost $60 a month after the discount for a single line. Family members can add their phones to the plan as well, at a discounted rate.

Recommended Videos

In addition to its various cell phone plans, AT&T is also offering discounts on DirectTV and home internet service. First responders will save $15 a month on DirectTV and AT&T’s home internet services.

In order to qualify for these discounts, customers will need to prove that they work for a qualifying organization. Customers can bring their badge, a recent pay stub, last year’s tax return or a signed affidavit from their appropriate organization.

While AT&T is offering discounts on its consumer plans, the company does have a separate plan set up for first responders to use while responding to emergencies. Developed as part of a contract with the federal government, FirstNet offers first responders unlimited high-speed data with no throttling. These plans range in price depending on whether they are for smartphones or data-only devices.

As previously noted, FirstNet was developed as part of a contract with the federal government in order to facilitate communication during emergencies. As of last year, the plan has been supported by all fifty states and several territories. The plan is meant for use by organizations; however, AT&T’s website does have options for qualified individuals to purchase their own plans on FirstNet though these plans are not discounted.

Eric Brackett
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Xiaomi’s Poco M4 Pro lands in India as the Redmi Note 11T at cheaper new price
The Redmi Note 11T smartphone in different color options.

Weeks after Xiaomi launched the Poco M4 Pro 5G in European markets, the company has brought the same device to India -- albeit with a major change in branding. In India, Xiaomi has decided to make it part of Redmi’s affordable lineup and market the phone as the Redmi Note 11T. To make matters even more confusing, Xiaomi sells the same phone as the Redmi Note 11 in China. Apart from the significant rebranding exercise, the Redmi Note 11T happens to be quite a bit cheaper than its European sibling.

The Redmi Note 11T is a fairly large phone with a 6.6-inch FHD+, 90Hz IPS-LCD panel, and a 5,000mAh battery. The phone also supports an adaptive refresh rate wherein the device automatically adjusts the screen refresh rate depending on the type of content being displayed. The Redmi Note 11T is also among the few devices in its price range to offer stereo speakers. It's also IP53 rated for dust and water resistance.

Read more
T-Mobile takes big 5G coverage and speed wins in new report
T-Mobile smartphone.

T-Mobile is taking a victory lap today, after a new report by the independent analytics company Opensignal found T-Mobile won out in several key 5G categories against its competitors AT&T and Verizon.

T-Mobile came in first in a comparative writeup that measured the three leading cellular companies' 5G availability, reach, download speed, and upload speed in the United States. Verizon beat T-Mobile out on the 5G video, voice app, and games experiences; AT&T was shut out entirely and went home with a nice shiny "I tried" gold star.

Read more
MediaTek’s new Kompanio 1300T chip puts 5G on tablets, not phones
mediatek 5g plans office

MediaTek has announced the Kompanio 1300T processor, which will add 5G connectivity to Android tablets later this year, along with plenty of power for video and gaming. The chip is the latest in its Kompanio processor range, which has so far mostly been used in Chromebooks. While we associate 5G connectivity with smartphones, the fast data connection is becoming more common on tablets too. Samsung recently announced the Galaxy Tab S7 FE with 5G, and you can get an Apple iPad Pro with 5G, while Huawei was one of the first to show a 5G tablet with the MatePad Pro in 2019.

The Kompanio 1300T is an octa-core chip is made up of ARM Cortex A78 and Cortex A55 cores, plus a nine-core ARM Mali G77 MC9 graphics processing unit (GPU), and is built using a 6nm process. It’s capable of supporting screens with an up to 2.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification, and dual-monitor output. Cameras up to 108-megapixels are supported, along with 4K HDR video recording at 60fps.

Read more