Dish Wireless has been granted approval from the Federal Communications Commission to conduct 5G tests in Yuma, Arizona from March 6 through September 30, 2023, using T-Mobile’s 800MHz spectrum. With this approval also comes an option for Dish to purchase the said spectrum. However, Chairman Charlie Ergen has thus far seemed hesitant about making the purchase. On the other hand, Chief Financial Officer Paul Orban believes that the probability of Dish buying the spectrum has increased. The primary reason for Dish’s potential interest in buying this specific frequency is still unknown since 600 MHz would be a better option than 800 MHz. Some have speculated that a partner could fund the purchase or perhaps there are other users intended for the spectrum.
Regardless of whether or not Ergen and his team decide to take advantage of this opportunity, they must exercise their right to buy by July 1, 2023. At this point in time it is hard to tell what course of action Ergen and his team will take but it shall certainly be worth keeping an eye on as we move closer to late summer of 2023. This development further highlights the importance of 5G technology and how it is transforming entire industries with its promise of faster speeds and decreased latency rates compared to 4G networks. It also sheds light on how companies such as Dish are striving for new technologies for expanded offerings and improved services in order to accommodate customers’ needs more efficiently and effectively. What remains clear at this juncture is that many eyes will be closely monitoring whether or not Dish exercises its right to purchase 800MHz spectrum in Yuma and if they do so before July 1, 2023 deadline imposed by FCC.
In any case, the 5G revolution is certainly in full swing and with this development we are one step closer to a fully-fledged 5G network. With large companies like Dish investing in such advancements, it is safe to say that the future of 5G technology looks bright indeed. The potential for new applications and services is becoming ever more real as the technology matures and businesses and consumers alike look forward to reaping its benefits. Dish’s decision could be a big factor in how the 5G network evolves and is used, so it will certainly be interesting to see what happens as we get closer to 2023. Ultimately, this development is an indication that 5G technology is here to stay and continues to open new avenues for companies like Dish Wireless to expand their offerings.