At&t Acquires $23 Billion Worth Of Spectrum Licenses From Echostar

AT&T is set to get $23 cardinal worthy of spectrum licenses from EchoStar, nan genitor institution of Dish Network, Sling TV and Boost Mobile. The woody will spot AT&T summation power of astir 50MHz of low-band and mid-band spectrum, which are frequencies commonly utilized successful 5G and LTE networks.

EchoStar had been under pressure from nan FCC to build retired nan spectrum successful its portfolio aliases consider divesting it. The FCC's regulations return a 'use it aliases lose it' attack to guarantee that nan spectrum licenses granted by nan authorities really lead to existent work for customers and not spectrum warehousing.

As portion of nan agreement, AT&T and EchoStar will adhd to their semipermanent wholesale web services agreement, allowing EchoStar to run arsenic a hybrid mobile web usability providing work nether nan Boost Mobile brand. This intends Boost Mobile will statesman relying chiefly connected AT&T's web infrastructure, though customers will still person entree to nan T-Mobile network. The statement will besides inquire Boost Mobile to upwind down elements of its ain constricted cellular infrastructure.

The licenses screen much than 400 markets successful nan US, and nan institution says it intends to statesman deploying these licenses arsenic soon arsenic possible. The acquisition is expected to adjacent successful mid-2026 and is taxable to regulatory approval.