After months of speculation and anticipation, DISH Network Corp. has officially become the fourth largest wireless service provider in the United States, joining major players AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, after acquiring Boost Mobile. This news is accompanied with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) having granted DISH approval to begin testing 5G on T-Mobile’s spectrum for their own customers. The FCC announcement not only gives DISH access to more than nine million subscribers and numerous retail store locations across the United States; but also brings exciting news that could help the company save money while they build out their own 5G network. However, that is not all that came with this landmark decision. The FCC also stipulated a deadline by which tests must be completed – September 30th 2023 – as well as a timeframe by which DISH must decide whether or not to acquire the spectrum from T-Mobile (July 1st 2023).
These conditions mean that it may take some time for DISH to fully establish itself as a competitive player in an industry where customer loyalty among providers can easily be swayed due to competitive pricing. Experts point out that without its own working network, DISH will have to rely on other providers such as Sprint until such plans are properly put into action. Still, looking ahead we can expect considerable growth from DISH in terms of wireless subscribers if all goes according to plan; and many analysts believe there is potential for them to become a strong alternative provider for users who are looking for competitively priced services and reliable coverage. Overall, this acquisition brings new opportunities for both providers involved — most notably transforming DISH’s profile from cable TV service leader into an even bigger contender in the wireless market– so we anticipate seeing further developments in this story over the coming weeks and months.
This could be a major turning point in DISH’s long-term success, as the company has been attempting to gain more control over its own wireless services for several years now. In addition, the FCC’s decision to grant DISH permission to begin testing 5G on T-Mobile‘s spectrum will give them an edge over their competitors. With this in mind, it is likely that we will see a lot of progress made by DISH in terms of 5G technology and network development, as well as an increase in their number of wireless subscribers by the time the FCC’s deadline arrives. Overall, it is clear that DISH Network Corp.’s purchase of Boost Mobile, as well as its recent approval from the FCC to begin testing 5G on T-Mobile’s spectrum, will have a major impact on the wireless service industry. While it is yet to be seen how this acquisition will fare in the long-term, there is no doubt that DISH’s presence in the market will become increasingly noticeable over time. With its commitment to provide reliable coverage and competitively priced services, DISH is sure to make its mark in the industry.