From Sprint and T-Mobile to AT&T
The licenses at the heart of the deal trace back to T-Mobile’s merger with Sprint in 2020. Under conditions imposed by the U.S. Department of Justice, T-Mobile was required to divest certain spectrum to Dish. Now, with AT&T stepping in, the prized assets are poised for rapid deployment.
Hybrid Network Strategy
As part of the agreement, AT&T and EchoStar amended their network services pact to form a hybrid mobile network operator relationship. Boost Mobile subscribers, owned by EchoStar, will continue to access T-Mobile’s network while also connecting to AT&T towers through Boost’s cloud-native 5G core.
The dual access promises subscribers uninterrupted service and underscores EchoStar’s hybrid-network strategy—leveraging partnerships with multiple carriers while divesting excess assets to strengthen its balance sheet.
AT&T Gains Competitive Edge
AT&T Chairman and CEO John Stankey said the acquisition bolsters the company’s competitive position.
“This acquisition expands our spectrum portfolio while enhancing customers’ 5G wireless and home internet experience,” Stankey said. “No one brings wireless and fiber internet to more places or does it better than AT&T.”
The sale also allows AT&T to begin leasing the spectrum ahead of the closing, ensuring a fast rollout to consumers nationwide.
