Frequently Asked Questions

The place to find quick answers to the most frequently asked FirstNet questions such as:
What is FirstNet? Who is eligible for FirstNet? How do I sign up for FirstNet? How do I pay my bill?

To activate your FirstNet account, you can either refer to the Activation Email you received or click here and follow the onscreen instructions. Further details can be found in the User Activation Guide.

Click here to find an AT&T store.

To pay your bill, log in to your account at FirstNet Central and navigate to Manage Services & Billing. To view a video explanation of your bill, log into FirstNet Central and navigate to the FAQ section. 

FirstNet is the only nationwide wireless broadband communications platform dedicated to America’s first responders and public safety community. This reliable, highly-secure communications platform brings reliability to public safety agencies and first responders—helping them make faster and better decisions to keep themselves and the public safe. FirstNet is different from other carriers in that it has a dedicated public safety core that routes FirstNet traffic. It also encrypts network traffic within the core, creating the highly secure environment public safety requires. 

FirstNet is exclusively for first responders and those that support their vital efforts. This includes law enforcement, fire protection services, emergency (911) call dispatching and government Public Safety Answering Points, emergency planning and management offices, and emergency medical services. Other essential personnel who support first responders before, during and after an emergency can also subscribe to FirstNet. These organizations provide medical care, mitigation, remediation, overhaul, clean-up, restoration, or other such services during or after an incident. 

FirstNet provides America’s first responders with highly secure and reliable connectivity while on the job, whether it be a crisis or a routine task in a congested area. FirstNet provides public safety with a dedicated lane of connectivity when they need it. To help ensure first responders have as much coverage and capacity as possible, FirstNet subscribers have access to all AT&T LTE commercial spectrum bands, as well as Band 14 spectrum. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the U.S. government specifically for FirstNet. We look at Band 14 as public safety’s VIP lane.

During an emergency, this band – or lane – can be cleared and locked just for FirstNet subscribers. That means only those on FirstNet will be able to access Band 14 spectrum, further elevating their connected experience and emergency response. That’s unique in the industry and something public safety won’t get anywhere but on the FirstNet network. 

Please refer to the Activation Guide on how to activate your eSIM on your Apple iPhone. 

Rate plans are available for organizations or individuals. Eligible customers can choose from a variety of plans that fit any situation—choosing talk, text, data, mobile hotspot and/or tethering services. And they can be used with a compatible smartphone, tablet or wearable device. Learn more about FirstNet Rate plans at https://www.firstnet.com/plans.html.

Public safety users have access to an expansive catalog of LTE devices, ranging from purpose-built rugged units to the world’s most popular smart devices and tablets, complemented with a wide range of accessories. FirstNet enables public safety customers to get the priority, coverage, and interoperability they need without sacrificing choice in the devices they require to get the job done. Learn more about FirstNet devices at www.firstnet.com/devices.

Eligible organizations and individuals can sign up for FirstNet at www.firstnet.com/signup.

With FirstNet and Family, first responder families can sign up for exclusive savings with AT&T. Learn more at https://www.firstnet.com/firstnetandfamily, or visit an AT&T retail store. 

Visit your local AT&T store or signup online and select the option to port your number from another carrier.

If you have an existing FirstNet account and want to port in a number for an additional device such as a wearable, login to FirstNet Central and navigate to Manage Services & Billing > Shop.

Log in to FirstNet verification at  https://www.firstnet.com/verify.

  • You will complete a one-time phone number validation. This step will not appear if already complete.
  • Review proof of eligibility document options. Only one document from the list is required.
  • Documents must meet requirements provided for the specific document type.
  • Accepted file formats: BMP, JPG, JPEG, PNG, PDF
  • Upload up to 3 documents, if needed
  • Your document(s) will be reviewed and you will receive an update via email/text within 24 hours

     

Couples who are both first responders, have to establish separate FirstNet accounts.  You can sign up for FirstNet at www.firstnet.com/signup.

You can log into FirstNet Central at https://firstnetcentral.firstnet.com/.

Offers for individuals can be found at firstnet.com/currentoffers. Offers for agencies or organizations can be found at firstnet.com/agencyoffers. You can also navigate to these pages directly, they are located in the top menu on firstnet.com.

Call 1-800-574-7000 or log into FirstNet Central to Chat with a Customer Support Representative.

FirstNet - Sub-paid eligibility (PDF)

Cell Booster Pro

AT&T Cell Booster Pro is a device that acts as a miniature cell tower, and enables you to improve the quality of your organization’s indoor wireless service. If you have indoor wireless coverage that’s less than full strength, you can install a Cell Booster Pro device to help boost coverage.

If your agency is located in an area where AT&T provides cellular service, your indoor signal strength is two bars or less, and you are able to comply with all of the transport requirements outlined in the AT&T Cell Booster Pro User - Technical Requirements Guide, AT&T Cell Booster Pro may be the perfect solution for you. An AT&T Cell Booster Pro is designed for up to 64 simultaneous sessions and provides in-building coverage of up to 15,000 square feet per device, depending on building layout and construction. Up to 3 Cell Booster Pros can be used at a street address, bringing the total space to 45,000 square feet for up to 192 simultaneous sessions. An AT&T Cell Booster Pro may not be used as an RF source for a DAS.

The required bandwidth depends on the number of simultaneous users you want support and whether data-intensive applications will be used. The minimum required bandwidth recommended:

Cell Booster (Coming Soon):

  • Broadband minimum downlink bandwidth - 5Mbps
  • Broadband minimum uplink bandwidth - 1Mbps

1 Cell Booster Pro:

  • Broadband minimum downlink bandwidth - 25Mbps
  • Broadband minimum uplink bandwidth - 5Mbps

2 Cell Booster Pros:

  • Broadband minimum downlink bandwidth - 30Mbps
  • Broadband minimum uplink bandwidth - 7Mbps

3 Cell Booster Pros

  • Broadband minimum downlink bandwidth - 35Mbps
  • Broadband Minimum uplink bandwidth - 9Mbps

Each AT&T Cell Booster Pro must have the GPS antenna attached so the device can lock location as required to support e911 emergency support teams.

The AT&T Cell Booster Pro creates a highly secure tunnel over an Internet connection back to the AT&T Core Network. You must comply with all the settings listed in the AT&T Cell Booster User – Technical Guide document for your device to activate and work properly.

To activate your AT&T Cell BoosterSM:

  1. Download the AT&T Cell Booster app from your app store or go to firstnet.com/cellboosterpro. Or scan the QR Code on your Cell Booster.

  2. Follow the steps to register and set up your Cell Booster.

Your wireless usage counts against the data allowance in your monthly wireless plan.

AT&T Cell Booster supports up to eight sessions at the same time. AT&T Cell Booster ProSM supports up to 64 sessions.

No. Whenever you can, use Wi-Fi® for streaming video, downloading files, or surfing the web. It’s the best option for mobile data use. Plus, using Wi-Fi doesn't count against your monthly wireless data allowance. Standard data rates apply when you use 4G LTE data services through your AT&T Cell Booster or AT&T Cell Booster Pro instead of Wi-Fi.

Yes, tablets will work on AT&T Cell Booster and Cell Booster Pro. Wi-Fi is the best choice for accessing the internet using non-traditional wireless devices, but they’ll also work on your Cell Booster.

Try these tips:

  1. Check your device’s status in the mobile app or on the web in Device details.

  2. Connect the GPS antenna to your Cell Booster and stick the GPS antenna on a window.

  3. Restart your Cell Booster and make sure the device lights are solid white.

  4. Disconnect your Cell Booster through the app or web and try online registration again.

Get tips to fix or reset your Cell Booster.

Yes, as long as it’s in an area where FirstNet is available.

Check Cell Booster service in your area.

Make sure you select FirstNet for your agency use to enable Band 14. If you choose AT&T by mistake, you should disconnect and reactivate your Cell Booster Pro, then select FirstNet.

If you’re having trouble with your AT&T Cell Booster or Cell Booster Pro, call us at 800.574.7000.

FirstNet and Family

FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community. 

The FirstNet network provides truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits like always-on priority and, for first responders, preemption capabilities, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced capabilities help first responders save lives and protect their communities. 

FirstNet brings public safety the reliability, capability and accountability they trust to carry out their mission. 

  • Prioritized connectivity - never competing with commercial traffic
  • No throttling for FirstNet users anywhere in the country
  • Largest coverage footprint, with more than 50,000 square miles more coverage any other commercial network
  • Highly secure with a Dedicated Security Operations Center to help protect your communications and sensitive information

FirstNet is designed for every first responder in the country – career or volunteer; federal, state, local or tribal; and urban, suburban or rural – and the extended public safety community. 

FirstNet is first and foremost for our country’s first responders. Think law enforcement, EMS personnel, firefighters, 9-1-1 communicators, emergency managers, and healthcare professionals.

To help make public safety’s coordination and communication as easy and seamless as possible, FirstNet also is available to an extended community of users who could be called to help support first responders. 

To uphold the integrity of FirstNet, we rigorously review the eligibility of users.

Check eligibility

FirstNet and Family gives you the best of two networks to keep your worlds connected. First responders and the extended public safety community get the mission-critical wireless network and prioritized connectivity of FirstNet, and families get to save 25%* on the world-class connectivity of AT&T. All on one bill, with one point-of-purchase, and dedicated US-based service and support.

*Available only to verified FirstNet Subscriber Paid User. 25% off eligible lines after credits starting within 3 bills. Add’l fees, taxes, charges & other restr’s apply. 

With FirstNet and Family:

  • You can mix FirstNet & AT&T services up to 20 lines per account
  • You can be on the same account as other first responders in your household
  • Each FirstNet user on the account is limited to one phone, watch, tablet and hotspot
  • FirstNet voice service counts as a line towards multi-line pricing on eligible plans