FirstNet: 11 Things To Know Before You Sign Up

1. What is FirstNet?

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 a cell phone carrier that is owned by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

While the FirstNet Authority owns and governs the network, it operates through a public-private partnership with AT&T.

AT&T was awarded a 25-year contract in 2017 to build, maintain, and operate the network infrastructure using the dedicated 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum allocated to FirstNet.

The FirstNet network was especially created for first responders and public safety personnel within the United States. This can include law enforcement officials, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical personnel, emergency management personnel, and other public safety officials.

The goal with FirstNet is to deliver a prioritized network experience for first responders to ensure their critical communication can go through the network, even during times when the network is busy.

Many organizations and their employees are eligible for FirstNet.

In addition to using the dedicated 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum, FirstNet customers will also use the native AT&T network for coverage.

2. What cell phone plans does FirstNet offer?

FirstNet offers the following cell phone plans to choose from:

FirstNet Unlimited Standard Military



1 Line



1 Line



AT&T

$

40

/mo.

+tax

tax included

Unlimited

high-speed





Unlimited priority



No hotspot



480p video streaming



Unlimited minutes



Unlimited texts



Int'l texting to 200+ countries



Int'l calls to CAN & MEX



Unlimited in CAN & MEX



$10/day int'l data

FirstNet Unlimited Enhanced Military



1 Line



1 Line



AT&T

$

45

/mo.

+tax

tax included

Unlimited

high-speed





Unlimited priority



Included hotspot



4K video streaming



Unlimited minutes



Unlimited texts



Int'l texting to 200+ countries



Int'l calls to CAN & MEX



Unlimited in CAN & MEX



$10/day int'l data

3. What deals, discounts, or referral programs does FirstNet have?

FirstNet does not offer any deals or discounts at this time.

4. Does FirstNet offer family plans?

FirstNet offers the following family plans to choose from:

No, FirstNet does not offer family plans. Each line needs its own separate account.

Yes, FirstNet offers family plans.

5. Does FirstNet have plans for tablets, smartwatches, or hotspot devices?

Yes, FirstNet offers plans for tablets, smartwatches, and hotspot devices.

No, FirstNet does not offer plans for tablets, smartwatches, or hotspot devices.

6. How good is FirstNet's coverage?

FirstNet rides on the AT&T network for coverage, so reception in most places is pretty good.

See the full coverage details below:

AT&T coverage information

Total coverage: 78.1%
Total square miles covered: 2,602,364
Total population covered: 330 million people (99.0%)
5G coverage: 43.3%
5G square miles covered: 1,444,381
Population covered by 5G: 300 million people (90.0%)

The above information comes from the FCC and from AT&T.

You can check AT&T coverage by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.

AT&T Coverage Map displayed on 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 see what network is best in your area.

Verizon coverage information

Total coverage: 67.4%
Total square miles covered: 2,246,127
Total population covered: 327 million people (98.0)%
5G coverage: 14.5%
5G square miles covered: 484,321
Population covered by 5G: 230 million people (69.0%)

The above data come from the FCC and from Verizon.

Check Verizon coverage in your area using maps such as CoverageMap.com.

Verizon coverage map — Verizon's coverage as shown on 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 see what carrier has the best coverage in your area.

T-Mobile coverage information

Network: T-Mobile
Total coverage: 46.6%
Total square miles covered: 1,551,924
Total population covered: 330 million people (99.0%)
5G coverage: 36.0%
5G square miles covered: 1,200,851
Population covered by 5G: 326 million people (97.8%)

The above information comes from the FCC and from T-Mobile.

Check T-Mobile coverage in your area by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.

T-Mobile coverage map as shown on CoverageMap.com

CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.

Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage and see what carrier is best in your area.

UScellular coverage information

Total coverage: 9.9%
Total square miles covered: 329,985
5G coverage: 7.5%
5G square miles covered: 250,946
Median download speed: 51.0 Mbps
Median upload speed: 15.2 Mbps

The above information comes from the FCC, Uscellular, and crowdsourced coverage data from CoverageMap.com.

Check UScellular coverage in your are 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 see what network is best in your area.

Dish Wireless coverage information

Network: Dish Wireless 5G Network (Boost Mobile native network)
Total coverage: 8.9%
Total square miles covered: 299,260
Total population covered: 210 million people (70%)

The above information comes from the FCC and from EchoStar.

Check Dish Wireless coverage in your area by using third-party maps such as CoverageMap.com.

Dish Wireless coverage map (Boost Mobile native network coverage) — Dish Wireless coverage map from CoverageMap.com

CoverageMap.com is building crowdsourced maps of cellular coverage.

Download the free Coverage Map app for iPhone or Android to compare coverage and see what carrier is best in your area.

7. What features does FirstNet support?

FirstNet supports:

VoLTE
WiFi calling
Visual voicemail
MMS (multimedia messaging service)
eSIM
Hotspot
Domestic roaming
Managing multiple lines from a single account
International calling
Canada and Mexico roaming
International data roaming
Multi-line discounts

8. What phones work on FirstNet?

Most phones that are unlocked will work on FirstNet.

An unlocked phone is a phone that it is not tied to any carrier, contract, or financing agreement. You are free to use the phone on any plan or carrier you choose.

Consider contacting your current carrier to see if your phone is unlocked or what the steps are to get it unlocked.

9. Does FirstNet support international calling or data roaming?

Yes, FirstNet supports both international calling and international data roaming.

10. What plan add-ons does FirstNet offer?

FirstNet does not offer any plan add-ons.

11. How do you contact FirstNet customer service?

FirstNet customer service is available by calling (800) 574-7000, or by visiting a physical AT&T store.

FirstNet: 11 Things To Know Before You Sign Up

1. What is FirstNet?

2. What cell phone plans does FirstNet offer?

3. What deals, discounts, or referral programs does FirstNet have?

4. Does FirstNet offer family plans?

5. Does FirstNet have plans for tablets, smartwatches, or hotspot devices?

6. How good is FirstNet's coverage?

AT&T coverage information

Verizon coverage information

T-Mobile coverage information

UScellular coverage information

Dish Wireless coverage information

7. What features does FirstNet support?

8. What phones work on FirstNet?

9. Does FirstNet support international calling or data roaming?

10. What plan add-ons does FirstNet offer?

11. How do you contact FirstNet customer service?

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