Connecting Heroes
For state & local fire, police, and EMS agencies' first responder lines; eligibility verified. Video typically streams on smartphone/tablet at DVD quality (480p). Coverage not available in some areas and may be impacted by emergencies; check your response area. Capable device required for 5G. See full terms
Overview
We’re pledging $7.7B over 10 years.
To participate, first responder agencies must meet certain criteria.
See how we’re empowering first responders when they need it most.
Our network keeps first responders connected when it matters most.
Our commitment
We know first responder agencies face tough budget decisions, but they shouldn’t have to decide between critical equipment and wireless services. Connecting Heroes can help.
In an emergency when severe network congestion is possible, first responders need to know they’ll have priority access to our network and that critical communications will move to the front of the line.
Requires WPS enrollment; eligibility must be confirmed by USDHS. WPS functionality (including priority access and preemption) may not be available while roaming. Completion of calls not guaranteed.
By combining networks, T-Mobile now has more towers, more engineers, and more bandwidth than ever before—keeping first responders connected in more places than ever before.
Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. See full terms
To show our appreciation for first responder agencies who go above and beyond during critical times, we proudly provide 5G access to every first responder who needs it.
Video typically streams on smartphone/tablet at DVD quality (480p).
Law enforcement officers are more effective and situationally aware when they go mobile. Connecting Heroes provides a robust network with priority and preemption while providing excellent support and cost savings.
The criteria
Eligible agencies include state or local police & sheriff, fire, and emergency medical services that support one of the following:
You must maintain active government duty employees in one of the following:
You must establish a business account in the name of the state or local government agency.
We’re working with Visual Labs – the smartphone body camera company – to give first responders access to a body camera solution that helps them do their job safely and efficiently.
Connecting Heroes® is a P3 where T-Mobile supplies free, subsidized, and low-cost smartphone connectivity and technology assistance to state and local first responders.
Case studies
With increased coverage, bandwidth and data reliability, Rescue 101 Search and Rescue (Ohio) and the Hampton Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department (Tennessee) now work more quickly while better serving their communities, too.
Like many small public safety agencies, the Bay Minette Police Department (Alabama) must carefully manage its budget. The department was able to provide smartphone service to all patrol officers—without spending a dime.
Our network and coverage
By combining networks, first responders can stay connected with fast, nationwide coverage.
With America’s largest 5G network and 4G LTE that covers 99% of Americans, we keep your agency connected.
Map includes 600MHz coverage. T-Mobile is America's Largest 5G network & Opensignal Awards T-Mobile as America's Fastest 5G network – USA: 5G User Experience Report January 2021. Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature. See full terms
T-Mobile is making a 10-year commitment to provide every public and non-profit state and local law enforcement, fire and EMS first responder agency across the country the ability to get free unlimited talk, text and smartphone data.
This plan is available to public state and local agencies that manage Police & Sheriff, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services for cities, counties and states.
The free Heroes plan will include unlimited smartphone talk text and data with 1GB of 4G LTE mobile hotspot with 3G speeds thereafter.
Other Connecting Heroes rate plans include 5G smartphones at no additional cost and even more high-speed mobile hotspot. There is a rate plan for every budget.
Yes! The plan will include free access to T-Mobile’s 5G network!
Yes, first responders enrolled in Wireless Priority Service (WPS) get priority access with preemption to our nationwide network. WPS gives first responders priority access to the network for voice and data. WPS may default to 4G signal in areas with standalone-only 5G.
T-Mobile is an authorized provider of WPS by the Department of Homeland Security. With approval from DHS, T-Mobile will add WPS to your qualified lines for no charge, monthly or per minute.
Details are available at https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/wireless-priority-service-wps
WPS enrollment is a separate process run through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). T-Mobile highly recommends that WPS be added so the user can benefit from priority access to network services. Each First Responder organization must sign up with DHS to have a DHS Point of Contact (POC).
To find or establish your DHS point of contact, fill out this form, DHS will respond to you via email.
First responder data remains at the highest priority on our network, no matter how much data they need during emergencies or natural disasters.
