Yesterday, Dish Network made significant strides in the 5G realm, announcing the successful clearance of two out of three 5G network buildout requirements mandated by the FCC. The completion of the final requirement is anticipated by next year.
Dish had long held unused spectrum designated for wireless network construction. Despite this, they remained inactive for a decade. However, in June of the previous year, they achieved the FCC’s 70% population coverage benchmark for their 5G network.
With the recent FCC approvals, Dish’s 5G network gains substantial ground in the wireless market. The acquisition of Boost Mobile from Sprint also contributed to their growth, although the company continues to face challenges in attracting new users.
According to Dish’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the pending commitment involves verifying the network speeds. The company is mandated to provide download speeds of 35 Mbps and will employ an FCC-approved drive test process.
Looking ahead, Dish faces a more daunting task in 2025: covering 75% of the country’s population. Experts highlight the considerable difficulty due to geographic obstacles, especially in reaching sparsely populated remote areas.