FirstNet is a prepaid cell phone carrier known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO.
An MVNO is simply any cell phone carrier that does not operate its own cellular network.
Instead of building their own networks, MVNOs make agreements with the four big carriers to use their cellular networks for coverage.
In FirstNet’s case, it uses the AT&T network for coverage.
If you are curious to learn more about how the agreements work between the big carriers and the small carriers, check out my article on how some cell phone plans can cost so much less than others.
FirstNet is phone service offered by AT&T that is made especially for first responders, military members, government employees, and other members of select organizations.
FirstNet's plans get special priority on the AT&T network. The plans come with QCI 6 priority, which is the highest priority level available on AT&T. This ensures first responders will be able to communicate with each other during times of emergency.
Additionally, FirstNet also includes access to LTE band 14.
LTE band 14 is a dedicated block of spectrum that gives FirstNet customers extra capacity for calls and messages if the regular consumer bands become congested.
Giving FirstNet's plans higher priority on the cellular network and access to band 14 is to ensure people with critical roles are able to communicate with each in case of an emergency.
FirstNet offers the following plans to choose from. On top of the cost of the plans, FirstNet charges taxes and fees. The below taxes and fees were shared from a user in Tennessee:
No discounts or referral programs are available at this time.
The above data come from the FCC and from Verizon directly.
Check Verizon coverage in your area by using Verizon's official coverage map.
You can also check coverage using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.
CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.
Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and to participate in the project.
The above information comes from the FCC and from AT&T direclty.
You can check AT&T coverage in your area by using AT&T's official coverage map.
You can also check coverage by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.
CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of the cellular networks.
Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and to contribute to the project.
The above information comes from the FCC and from T-Mobile directly.
Check T-Mobile coverage in your area by using T-Mobile's official coverage map.
You can also check T-Mobile coverage by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.
CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.
You can download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage between carriers and to contribute to the project.
