First responders constantly serve our communities, placing themselves in different scenarios to ensure our safety. Having access to an affordable and reliable phone plan helps to make their jobs a little easier. In this article, I'll list the best cell phone plans for first responders.
Discounts For First Responders
This may seem surprising, but many wireless carriers offer discounts on cell phone plans for first responders. One of the biggest perks is that you can get a premium unlimited plan for significantly less than the standard price. The first responders' discount is just one way for mobile carriers to show their appreciation.
What Do First Responders Need?
Just like everyone else with a phone, first responders need a plan with good coverage. Any cell phone plan is basically useless without good coverage. Fast data speeds allow you to stay in touch from most locations for travel, work, or otherwise.
Cell Phone Plan Discounts For First Responders
AT&T Unlimited Plans
With AT&T, it's easy to start saving and get set up with a cell phone plan that best suits your needs. In order to receive the first responders' discount, you have to provide proof of eligibility– something that shows you're a first responder. Read more on qualifying for the discount here.
Unlimited plans are great for first responders because they keep you from worrying about using your data too quickly. Plus, you always have access to high speeds. AT&T has three unlimited plans that we recommend.
The Unlimited Starter plan costs only $65 a month, after the discount, and still offers many of the great features of their more costly unlimited options. You'll enjoy unlimited talk, text, and data at 4G LTE speeds. This is a great option for first responders and travelers, as you'll be able to talk and text as much as you'd like in more than 120 different countries. Plus, you're given protection from spam calls and fraud to help avoid phone spam.
The Unlimited Extra plan is a little more costly, coming in at $75 a month after the discount. You're given the same spam and fraud protection, and international talk and text perks as the starter plan, in addition to access to AT&T's premium 5G network! You'll also get 15 GB of mobile hotspot data, so you'll never be out of reach.
AT&T's Unlimited Elite plan is $85 per month after the discount. One of the biggest perks of this plan is that your data speeds won't be throttled — unless you use over 100 GB a month. Plus, you can use up to 30 GB of mobile hotspot data. The elite option includes all of the benefits of the other unlimited plans and ensures that you're always connected! You'll also receive a free HBO subscription.
Verizon Unlimited Plans
Verizon offers some great deals on unlimited plans, especially for first responders. With Verizon, immediate family members of first responders also qualify for the discounts; read more here.
One of our top picks from the Verizon line up is the Play More unlimited plan. For just $80 a month after the discount, you'll have access to unlimited talk, text, and data at 4G LTE speeds. Users will also receive access to the Verizon Rewards program, which includes additional discounts and a six month subscription to Apple Music. For international calling and texting, you can reach Canada and Mexico for no additional charge.
Up next is Verizon's Get More unlimited plan. It's only $10 more per month than the Play More plan ($90 per month total). You may be wondering, what's different about this version? Basically, you have access to everything from the previous option, in addition to a higher threshold of data you can use before your speeds are throttled (75 GB). Plus, you'll receive 500 GB of storage on Verizon's cloud.
T-Mobile Magenta
T-Mobile offers two plans that are great for first responders specifically. The Magenta Plan is only $25 per line per month and you have access to a ton of awesome features, beyond the unlimited talk, text, and data at 4G LTE high speeds.
T-Mobile provides five layers of spam protection, data and texting abroad, access to their rewards program called T-Mobile Tuesdays, and more! If the phone perks aren't enough, you'll also get a free Netflix or Quibi subscription, and one hour of free in-flight Wi-Fi.
Other Great Cell Phone Plans For 1st Responders
There are seemingly endless cell phone plan options out there. While researching, we found a few plans that don't offer discounts to first responders, but are still a great deal and should be considered!
Tello Mobile Value Plan
If you don't use your phone very often, the Tello Mobile Value plan may be perfect for you. For just $14 a month, you'll receive unlimited talk, text, and 2 GB of 4G LTE data. You're able to call several international locations with Tello Mobile and at no additional cost to your mobile plan. Plus, you can easily adjust the data allotted to your plan.
Verizon 5 GB Prepaid Plan
This prepaid plan by Verizon gives you 5 GB of data and unlimited minutes and messages. You'll still get 4G LTE speeds and, as an added bonus, Verizon offers additional discounts to long-term users. Mobile hotspot comes enabled and there's also unlimited calling and texting to international locations including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands! Enjoy all of the benefits of the Verizon 5 GB Prepaid Plan for just $25 per line per month.
All Planned Out!
Hopefully, by now you have a better idea of which cell phone plan is best for first responders. Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below and send this article to any first responders that could benefit from it. Lastly, if you're a first responder reading this, thank you for your service!
