AT&T Aquires some DISH Spectrum

[Yespage]

Part of me wonders whether Charlie entered an agreement where Echostar gets $23 billion which isn't refunded when the FCC throws a flag and nixes the shift of the licenses.

I'm only partially kidding.

 

[strikes2k]

Part of me wonders whether Charlie entered an agreement where Echostar gets $23 billion which isn't refunded when the FCC throws a flag and nixes the shift of the licenses.

I'm only partially kidding.

Isn't that pretty much what happened with DirecTV but at a smaller but still substantial number?

 

[Juan]

Tell me Juan, what inside information do you have that you want to share with the class?

The rules that require echostar to USE the spectrum..they can't just sell it...

 

[NYDutch]

Before we write off Dish and Boost, does anyone have any numbers on how much Hughes and Gen Mobile are contributing to Echostar's bottom line?

 

[jsmit86]

So... my read is Dish sells the spectrum, but uses what they already built (most large metro areas), perhaps shared with AT&T, and they use AT&T for coverage in other areas. The still sell and market the Boost service. Is that not correct?

 

[jsmit86]

The rules that require echostar to USE the spectrum..they can't just sell it...

What if Dish uses it with an agreement with AT&T, but now AT&T owns it?

 

[Juan]

What if Dish uses it with an agreement with AT&T, but now AT&T owns it?

That's a FCC question

 

[EarDemon]

So... my read is Dish sells the spectrum, but uses what they already built (most large metro areas), perhaps shared with AT&T, and they use AT&T for coverage in other areas. The still sell and market the Boost service. Is that not correct?

AT&T is acquiring 20 MHz of the 600 MHz n71 spectrum, which Dish has deployed throughout the country. As well as 30 MHz of 3.45 GHz n77 DoD, which they have not deployed in any meaningful way, if at all.

Under a roaming agreement Boost could roam on to n71 once AT&T takes it over. That's assuming AT&T keeps it and doesn't do a spectrum swap with T-Mobile. It could go either way if AT&T keeps it or not, I think they do keep it, but only time will tell. Maybe they'll wait to deploy it until they are ready for 4.9 so they do one tower climb. Which actually would be the smart thing, since I would think the government will pay for all costs associated with 4.9.

For 3.45, on sites where AT&T already has it deployed, it may just take a software upgrade to take advantage of the former Dish spectrum. And yes, Boost could roam on to that as well.

The rest of their deployed native network is AWS n70 and n66 and n29 700 MHz supplemental downlink. And that's it. n71 was really the backbone of their network and now that's gone. There might be some pockets around the country where n48 is live, if there is it would be very minimal. They have not deployed their c-band or mmWave assets at all.

My own personal speculation:

I'm going to say T-Mobile and Verizon go after the AWS spectrum. I think it may make more sense for T-Mobile, but they've already spent a lot a money in a short period of time with US Cellular and the small fiber companies they are taking over. Once the native Boost network is fully dismantled, any spectrum that is acquired by Verizon will no longer be able to be accessed by current Boost subscribers unless there is a special agreement in place. If T-Mobile gets anything, there is a chance current Boost subscribers will get access.

 

[HipKat]

Ditching their low band spectrum and their mid band DoD sure sounds like a lot is changing to me. Their best spectrum for range and their best best spectrum for capacity are both going to AT&T, that leaves n66 and n70 and some other scraps.

They're still using AT&T Towers as part of the deal, plus T-Mobile and Dish 5G still, so no, nothing is changing

 

[HipKat]

So... my read is Dish sells the spectrum, but uses what they already built (most large metro areas), perhaps shared with AT&T, and they use AT&T for coverage in other areas. The still sell and market the Boost service. Is that not correct?

That is correct

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

It's funny reading here and other sites.

This saves both Dish and Boost.

Every time you are about to count Charlie out he pulls out another ace.

 

[EarDemon]

They're still using AT&T Towers as part of the deal, plus T-Mobile and Dish 5G still, so no, nothing is changing

Dish 5G will not exist in a year or two, T-Mobile access will be put on the back burner, seems to already be, Boost will be mostly an AT&T MVNO, so yes, a lot is changing.

Perhaps the one of the biggest changes will be is that Boost subscribers will finally get access to 3.45, albeit via AT&T since Dish was squatting on it and did nothing with it for years.

If AT&T does a spectrum swap with n71 and it goes to T-Mobile, there is a chance Boost subscribers lose access to that.

 

[HipKat]

Dish 5G will not exist in a year or two, T-Mobile access will be put on the back burner, seems to already be, Boost will be mostly an AT&T MVNO, so yes, a lot is changing.

Perhaps the one of the biggest changes will be is that Boost subscribers will finally get access to 3.45, albeit via AT&T since Dish was squatting on it and did nothing with it for years.

If AT&T does a spectrum swap with n71 and it goes to T-Mobile, there is a chance Boost subscribers lose access to that.

TM is not being "put on the back burner".

 

[EarDemon]

Sure they area. AT&T was already becoming the primary roaming partner when there was no native coverage and this deal only re-enforces that. I'm not saying T-Mobile access via Boost will go away completely, but AT&T will be the #1. I would image the rare places where T-Mobile has coverage and AT&T does not Boost will be on T-Mobile. But I don't see Boost subscribers getting T-Mobile's n41, if AT&Ts n77 is available.