Dish Network signs partnership with AT&T

This week, Dish Network made headlines when it revealed that it had signed a new agreement with AT&T. 

According to the announcement, Dish will be using AT&T’s network as its MVNO partner. The two companies signed a network services agreement (NSA) that includes a $5 billion payout over the next 10 years. This will allow Dish to use AT&T’s 4G and 5G networks as it starts building its own network. 

The agreement signed is a non-exclusive one, which means that customers can continue to use T-Mobile’s networks. It will, however, give their Boost Mobile, Ting, and Republic Wireless customers the option to pick the network they would like to use for their voice, data, and messaging services. The agreement also gives AT&T access to use some of Dish’s wireless spectrum. 

Many worry that this agreement could get mixed reactions from regulators. Since the T-Mobile-Sprint merger was approved with the premise that Dish will acquire Sprint’s prepaid businesses, they wonder how this new agreement will be affected. 

Regulators have not yet responded to the announcement.