DISH Clears One FCC 5G Buildout Hurdle, But Still Faces Future Deadlines

DISH says it is providing 5G service to 70% of the US population and has launched more than 15,000 5G sites and therefore has met a key Federal Communications Commission buildout milestone related to its acquisition of Boost Mobile. DISH faces additional buildout requirements two years from now, however, and some question whether the company will be able to meet those requirements, citing funding and timing constraints. The company says that it has continued to add functionality and markets to its voice over new radio (VoNR) service, which it claims is the first service featuring the technology in the  US. The service now covers more than 70 million people through Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite. The rollout will continue, the company says. The FCC required DISH to meet several conditions, including provisioning of 5G to 70% of the US by June 14th, 2023, as a condition of its purchase of Sprint’s Boost Mobile prepaid business. Sprint had to divest Boost Mobile as a condition of its acquisition by T-Mobile. Some people would argue that a provider needs to cover more like 95% of the country to have a nationwide network. But DISH does have an agreement with AT&T to use the AT&T network in areas where it lacks its own infrastructure.