AT&T, Dish Strike $5 Billion Deal to Support Boost Mobile

AT&T struck a deal to carry Dish Network’s existing cellphone customers over its wireless network, bringing two erstwhile rivals closer as they each pursue more advanced 5G technology. The nonexclusive deal would pay AT&T at least $5 billion over 10 years to support Dish’s consumer cellphone brands, which include Boost Mobile, Ting, and Republic Wireless. The agreement also provides an avenue for AT&T to use some Dish wireless spectrum licenses to support both companies’ customers. The partnership will likely attract scrutiny from the Justice Department, which helped Dish’s entry into the wireless market through a complex deal that cleared the way for cellphone carrier T-Mobile US to buy Sprint. The government allowed the asset swaps to proceed under the assurance that Dish would build a new fifth-generation network over several years. Dish’s nearly 9 million wireless customers currently use T-Mobile’s network. The two companies have tussled over various issues, including T-Mobile’s plan to shut down its 3G network by Jan. 1, 2022. Dish has said the early sunset could cut off many of its customers who need more time to upgrade their cellphones to 4G and 5G smartphones. AT&T has said it would wind down its 3G service in early 2022.