T-Mobile offers first responders up to 25% off Samsung 5G phones
The deal is part of T-Mobile's Connecting Heroes program that offers free unlimited smartphone service to state and local police, fire and EMS agencies.
- Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
First responder agencies can get discounts on Samsung phones through T-Mobile.
State and local agencies that offer first responders free unlimited talk, text and data through T-Mobile's Connecting Heroes program can get up to 25% off Samsung 5G phones for a limited time, the carrier said Friday. That includes phones like the recently released Galaxy Note 20 5G, as well as the Galaxy S20 5G , Galaxy A71 5G and Galaxy A51 5G. The $250 Galaxy A21 with 4G LTE is also an option.
"While pushing the bounds of 5G mobile technology, Samsung and T-Mobile both recognize the importance of first responders staying connected at the most critical times," Taher Behbehani, head of Samsung Electronics America's mobile B2B division, said in a statement.
State and local fire, police and emergency medical service agencies get free unlimited smartphone service through T-Mobile's Connecting Heroes program, which kicked off earlier this year.
Companies are launching more 5G phones as the next-generation wireless network continues to roll out. Apple is expected to unveil a 5G phone later this year, which could be a big win for helping bring the new cellular tech to the mainstream. In addition to higher speeds, 5G is hyped to revolutionize niches such as self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality and telemedicine services such as remote surgery.
T-Mobile's new offer, an update to its Connecting Heroes program that was rolled out in May, is the latest perk in a year that has seen all three major US wireless carriers offer discounts to those who help their communities. In April, during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verizon expanded its first responder discounts on Fios and wireless service to include nurses and teachers. AT&T launched its first responder discount in March and later expanded it to include nurses, teachers, and physicians.
T-Mobile didn't specify how long the Samsung phone offer will last and declined to comment on an end date.
CNET's Eli Blumenthal contributed to this report.