Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

AT&T just made its FirstNet plans a lot more helpful for first responders

Wireless smartphone plans are historically confusing and complicated — and this can be especially true when trying to mix and match different plan types. Take AT&T as an example. Ever since the carrier launched its FirstNet wireless service for first responders, families with FirstNet and regular/commercial AT&T plans have had to put up with multiple wireless plans, multiple accounts, and multiple bills. However, starting August 9, AT&T is taking big steps to reduce the headaches and make its FirstNet service offerings much easier to digest.

Created in 2001 and contracted to AT&T in 2017, FirstNet is a wireless network “built with AT&T to specifically to meet the needs of first responders.” In the event of a natural disaster, terror attack, etc., it’s not uncommon for wireless cell signals to become overloaded and disrupted. FirstNet is designed to remain up and running during such events and gives first responders “superior security, truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it and unique benefits they can’t get anywhere else.” While that aspect of FirstNet is great, how it’s traditionally been billed to people has been anything but.

AT&T SatCOLT which is a mobile 5G tower platform.
Adam Doud/Digital Trends

Before today’s announcement, first responders with FirstNet service received a bill from FirstNet, while anyone getting cell service normally through AT&T got their bill from AT&T. If you’re single, that’s not a problem. But for first responders and their families with AT&T and FirstNet lines under one household, it meant having to juggle numerous accounts and bills. But no more! From August 9, families who have FirstNet and regular AT&T wireless plans will now receive a single bill under one account. First responders still have the same access to the FirstNet network that they need, but now the billing side of things is much easier to manage than it was before.

Recommended Videos

Along with the simpler billing, AT&T also says that this change should result in cheaper monthly rates for folks. Per AT&T’s data, some first responders were choosing regular AT&T plans with the 25% first responder discount instead of signing up for FirstNet. FirstNet is cheaper and offers more reliable data when it matters, but the complicated billing seems to have kept some folks away from it.

AT&T sets up a scenario of a couple — including a first responder and their partner. Previously, folks were skipping FirstNet and instead signing up for two commercial AT&T plans. With regular/commercial plans ranging from $65 to$85/month — combined with AT&T’s 25% discount for first responders — that comes out to over $110/month. But if someone signs up for a $40/month FirstNet plan and their partner gets their normal AT&T plan, their combined bill should be under $100/month. AT&T’s not changing any of its pricing, but now first responders and their families can pay that cheaper rate and get easy-to-understand billing plus the enhanced reliability that comes from FirstNet.

If that all sounds a little confusing, the main takeaway is that FirstNet will now act like any other AT&T plan from a billing perspective. It has the same enhanced network connectivity that first responders need, but it’s no longer siloed off with its own account and bill.

Joe Maring
Joe Maring has been the Section Editor of Digital Trends' Mobile team since June 2022. He leads a team of 13 writers and…
How to download Android 15 right now
The Android 15 logo on a smartphone.

Android 15 is now officially available, and users with compatible devices can install it right away. After months of testing, the update includes several new features and various improvements. Below, we’ll explore how to download it and what you can expect once it’s installed.

Read more
I’ve had the iPhone 16 Pro for over a month. Here’s why I still love it
White Titanium iPhone 16 Pro sitting on blankets with heart pillows behind.

Apple made quite a splash this year with the iPhone 16 lineup. In fact, the base model iPhone 16 appeared to be the star of the show, with phenomenal colors and even more Pro-level features than ever before. And whether you love it or hate it, the new vertical camera layout breathes some fresh life into the phone.

But I didn’t go for the base model this year, even though I really wanted a pink iPhone. Instead, I went with the iPhone 16 Pro, as drab as it may look compared to the iPhone 16. I was excited about some new features, but then I initially had some second thoughts after the first few days.

Read more
The hidden benefit of wearing smart rings
A person holding the RingConn Smart Ring and Oura Ring.

The temptation to upgrade any piece of mobile technology annually is always there, as new versions and updates are introduced regularly. It’s always great to have the latest model, but it's expensive, slightly wasteful, and becoming more unnecessary all the time to change regularly. You're a lot stronger than I am if you can resist the siren call.

What is there to do? If you want to get off the expensive tech upgrade train, you need to buy a product that will last and take years to be genuinely superseded. What you need is a smart ring, as I think it’s the most consumer-friendly piece of wearable tech we’ve seen yet. It's not an immediately obvious thing, but here's why I think it's absolutely true.
A consumer-friendly wearable
Oura Ring 4 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more