How Does The FirstNet Dealer Program Work?

Not too long ago, AT&T announced their FirstNet Dealer Program. Within the release, Chris Sambar is quoted as saying that the dealer program would make it easy for public safety agencies to work with the same solution providers. I wrote to AT&T for more information and find out how it works.

Though AT&T will remain the provider of FirstNet services, subscribers can work with representatives of select companies. Unfortunately, an official list hasn't been made public at the time of this writing. Dealers are being given the opportunity to announce their participation in the program on their own. Panasonic, for example, published their participation on June 28. With the vast market share Panasonic has in the law enforcement industry, this isn't a surprise.

As such, existing customers can continue to work with their company they've already been working with for years, if not decades. "Allowing those solution providers to help public safety entities purchase FirstNet services may make it easy for agencies to assess their options and select the best fit for the needs of their respective departments," says AT&T.

To date, AT&T reports 45 solution providers already a part of the FirstNet Dealer Program. A quick search for "Joins the FirstNet Dealer Program" comes up with over 22,000 results. (Who knows how many of them are actually relevant for what we're searching for.) Top results include headlines stating that Panasonic, USAT, Motorola, and Sierra Wireless have come public with their participation.

AT&T carefully selects these companies and states that they "will continue to add dealers who demonstrate they're a good fit for the program."

What about data plans?

If you're like me, the amount of "data plan" commercials on television can be a little much. Unlimited gigabytes, family plans, the most coverage ... it all turns to white noise until I'm on the market for a new plan. 

Likewise, there's a subscriber-paid offer program for FirstNet for those first responders in agencies that don't provide agency-wide services or devices. For example, volunteer first responders would be able to have equal access to the FirstNet network (as long as they purchase their FirstNet-enabled device). Individual first responders can sign up for service at any AT&T retail location or through their agency's Local Control portal. Presumably, they should be able to use any within the FirstNet Dealer Program as well.

One size never fits all, of course. So, there are a number of options available, with "mobile unlimited data plans" running $40, $50, or $60 a month. Each provides its different layers of benefits. A set of "mobile-pooled data plans" are also available.

You can find the full details at FirstNet.com/Plans.