Dish Network Corp. DISH, -0.65% announced Monday morning that it has reached a network-services agreement with AT&T Inc. T, -2.68%, through which AT&T will be the primary network services partner for Dish’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) customers.
Dish plans to provide customers of its wireless brands Boost Mobile, Ting Mobile, and Republic Wireless with access to coverage through AT&T in addition to Dish’s own 5G network. “Teaming with AT&T on this long-term partnership will allow us to better compete in the retail wireless market and quickly respond to changes in our customers’ evolving connectivity needs as we build our own first-of-its kind 5G network,” Dish Chief Operating Officer John Swieringa said in a release, adding that the arrangement would provide “enhanced coverage and service.” Dish “is committed to providing competition in the wireless market as the nation’s fourth facilities-based carrier,” the company said in the release, and it plans to continue building out its cloud-native 5G network. Dish disclosed in a filing that it has agreed to pay at least $5 billion to AT&T over the 10-year term of the agreement. Shares of Dish have gained 3.8% over the past three months, as AT&T shares have declined 5.5%. The S&P 500 SPX, -2.01% has increased 3.9% in that span.