How Much Does Verizon Frontline Cost?

Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

As you might know, Verizon now offers wireless dedicated wireless broadband network solutions for people that fall in the first responder category, as a way of ensuring reliable communication, especially during disasters and emergencies of all levels. Verizon Frontline has been created as an “advanced network and technology for first responders.

But let’s go through the Frontline ecosystem and see how much will Verizon Frontline cost, how it works, what devices are available, and what kinds of plans and programs you can access.

How Much Does Verizon Frontline Cost?

The Verizon Frontline cost will be anywhere between $60 for just one line on the Start Unlimited package and $255 for five or more lines for the Get More Unlimited Package, and these packages will represent a discount of anywhere between $10 and $25. Through Verizon Frontline you will also receive discounts for accessories like 20% off when ordering through your My Verizon account and a 10% discount when purchasing something from the Verizon store directly.

There are also discounts offered by Verizon on services and mobile products for volunteer, retired, and active-duty local and state first responders.

Account-level discount for unlimited plans

This discount will increase as you have more Unlimited plans when you first sign up for them.

The mobile plans where you can get the discount are Beyond Unlimited*, 5G Do More, 5G Play More, Play More Unlimited*, 5G Start, One Unlimited for iPhone, 5G Get More, Welcome Unlimited, Just Kids*, Go Unlimited*, Do More Unlimited*, Get More Unlimited*, and Above Unlimited.

You will also get an Account-level discount if you’re under most other Verizon standard plans. This discount will be 15% on the monthly account access fee, for fees that are $34,99 or more.

You should also know that shared data plans and prepaid plans, as well as promotional plans and already discounted plans, won’t be eligible for first responder program discounts.

Discounts of Mobile Accessories Under Verizon Frontline

• 10% off if you purchase them from any Verizon store
• 25% off when you purchase them through your My Verizon account. This discount should appear when you go to your cart.

Verizon Frontline Background

Public safety associations and organizations have gone before Congress and advocated for first responders to receive reliable, dedicated networks. All of their hard work brought the needed changes in 2012 when legislation was passed as a way of creating a First Responder Network Authority. It was designed to deploy the FirstNet network in all US States and US territories, as well as tribal nations and rural communities. FirstNet was made as an independent authority that sits within the U.S. Department of Commerce.

So with a mission to develop build, and then operate broadband networks nationwide to equip first responders that save lives as a way of protecting US communities, this authority was authorized by Congress in 2012. Initially, the First Responder Network Authority made a partnership with AT&T, but now there is the Verizon FrotLine program.

Verizon claims to put first responders first by:

• Leaving necessary resources and bandwidth so that first responders can do a proper job during congested periods, by removing non-public safety traffic from the network altogether.
• Creating a network that is interoperable and provides seamless sharing of information between different departments and agencies providing high-quality services, even between different carrier networks.
• Designing safety plans that are custom-made for first responders to include preemption and priority, regardless of how much data is being used.

The Verizon Response Team support also includes:

• Situational awareness throughout important events all across the US, with the help of Licensed Drone Programs
• Missing persons/search and rescue through Verizon Security Assistance Team support
• Pre-event planning and site assessments
• Emergency communication and charging centers
• Cells on Light Trucks, Cells on Wheels, Mobile communication equipment, and Satellite Picocell on Trailer
• Enterprise-grade 4G LTE routers that have directional antennas
• Loaner phones and data devices
• Nationwide 24/7 hot-line: 800.981.9558

According to the company, just in 2020 the Verizon Frontline and Response Team worked to cover:

1. Over 6,000 devices supporting agencies nationally
2. Over 1,200 Response Team deployments
3. Over 2,000 customer engagements

Verizon FrontLine Programs

The first responders that are either volunteers, retired, or on active duty and are included in the discount program are:

• Law enforcement (This includes Local Police, Sheriffs, and Deputies, as well as State Troopers)
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), and Firefighters
• Immediate family members like children and spouses of the household of First Responders that have died in action (KIA)

Not eligible: NSA, FBI, FEMA, DEA, CIA, Border Patrol Agents and other types of federal-level law enforcement personnel are not eligible for the discounts provided by the Verizon FrontLine Program.

You might also like our articles on the cost of cable TV, Cisco Phone systems, or T-1 Internet Connections.

If you’re part of the active federal government you should be eligible for discounts under another program, called the federal government employee discount program.

If you’re an eligible first responder, you can take advantage of either of the two priority services by Verizon on your personal wireless devices, at no additional cost.

The two priority services are:

1. Wireless Priority Service (WPS)
   • Will give you constant priority access to Verizon’s 4G LTE network.
   • You will have to be approved by the Department of Homeland Security first.
   • Will be best for some devices that are used for voice like basic phones or smartphones
   • To use this, just dial *272 plus the 10-digit number.
2. Verizon Mobile Broadband Priority (MBP)
   • Will give you priority access to the Verizon 4G LTE data network.
   • On some mobile devices, will work on top of the Verizon Wireless network connection.
   • Works best for routers, MiFi, tablets, Smartphones, and other devices that are used for data
   • Will give you a higher priority to the network over normal users.

Keep in mind that your wireless device won’t be provisioned with both MBP and WPS. This means that you will only be able to use one priority service per device.

Verizon FrontLine Public Sector Devices

Public sector employees can also get a number of devices from Verizon at better prices. Of course, before you can actually get these deals you will have to verify your eligibility by contacting the Verizon team.

These devices are split into 3 categories:

5G Devices – Samsung Galaxy S21 5G 128GB for $49.99

Smartphones and Rugged Devices:

• Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 for $0
• iPhone 11 64GB for $99
• Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro for $0

Virtual Learning (no prices found on the official website):

• Apple iPad 8th Generation
• CTL Chromebook NL71CT-L
• Verizon Orbic Speed Mobile Hotspot
• Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L

You might be able to access other devices as well.