EchoStar to Decommission Boost Mobile Network After Major Deals

VIENNA, Sept 20 (Reuters) – EchoStar, the parent company of Boost Mobile, is set to decommission parts of its wireless network following recent spectrum sale agreements. This decision comes after the company, which acquired Dish Network in late 2023, was pressured by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to divest unused spectrum licenses.

As part of a plan to enhance its AT&T 5G service, AT&T purchased 20 MHz of low-band 600 MHz airwaves from EchoStar. That deal, alongside a $17 billion sale of spectrum to SpaceX, is expected to reshape EchoStar’s wireless operations, effectively transitioning Boost Mobile from a facilities-based network to a hybrid mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).

EchoStar previously aimed to establish its own 5G network, but according to analysts, the company is now forced to alter its strategy. EchoStar CEO Hamid Akhavan described this shift as a “forced pivot,” signaling an end to their ambitions of becoming the nation’s fourth major wireless carrier.

In its current state, Boost Mobile operates with approximately 7.357 million wireless customers as of June 2025. The company has been relying significantly on AT&T and T-Mobile to bolster its network coverage, with recent tests showing a heavy dependence on AT&T’s infrastructure in urban areas.

Data from Ookla‘s Speedtest Intelligence indicates that Boost’s median 5G download speeds are lagging behind its competitors, recording 149.55 Mbps, compared to 219.38 Mbps for all U.S. providers combined. Similarly, the company’s median 5G upload speeds and latency also fell short of market averages.

As EchoStar adjusts to its new role in the wireless market, industry experts speculate that Boost will further leverage AT&T’s network for its operations. The company might also divest its remaining AWS and CBRS spectrum licenses to potential buyers like Verizon.