AT&T is starting 2025 with a price hike for some of its FirstNet customers. First responders and public safety personnel will soon see a $3 increase on their monthly bills, bringing the total cost to $48 per line for unlimited smartphone and data-only plans. This change, confirmed on the AT&T website, represents approximately a 7% increase.
This price adjustment affects AT&T FirstNet, a dedicated wireless broadband network specifically designed for U.S. first responders. Built in partnership with the federal government, FirstNet provides priority access and enhanced features for public safety communications. AT&T justifies the increase as necessary to “continue to deliver the great wireless service you expect.”
FirstNet user with radio. Alt: A first responder uses a radio while working.
Customers who activated their FirstNet service after April 15, 2025, will have a grace period. They will receive a $3 monthly credit for their first nine months of service, effectively delaying the price increase until after this introductory period.
Previously, AT&T FirstNet offered some of the most competitive rates in the industry. However, this isn’t the first time AT&T has raised prices. In 2024, the company implemented at least three separate price hikes, including a $10 increase per line for some legacy unlimited plans.
This trend isn’t unique to AT&T. Other major U.S. carriers, including Verizon (the nation’s largest carrier) and T-Mobile (the third largest), also implemented price increases last year.
Cell tower. Alt: A cell phone tower against a blue sky.
The FirstNet network serves a wide range of public safety agencies and personnel. This includes law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, healthcare workers, and other essential personnel. While the price increase may impact budgets, AT&T maintains it’s crucial for sustaining the network’s high performance and reliability.
While the $3 increase is relatively modest, it signals a potential trend of rising costs in the telecommunications industry, particularly for specialized services like FirstNet. This will likely be a topic of ongoing discussion within the public safety sector throughout 2025.
