It's going to be even harder for DISH to give any real competition to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon now

Phone Arena

7 hours ago

EchoStar-owned DISH has long stopped being a threat to the Big Three — AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and the sale of UScellular will make it even more irrelevant.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) aimed for DISH to become the fourth-largest carrier following Sprint's purchase by T-Mobile , but when it greenlit the acquisition of UScellular by T-Mobile recently, it noted that the transaction would make it even harder for a fourth national player to emerge. When the DoJ announced that it wouldn't stop T-Mobile from acquiring most of the wireless business of UScellular and some of its infrastructure, it also mentioned concerns about the effects of the deal on competition and further consolidation of spectrum in the hands of the Big Three.
Despite the many concerns it had, the DoJ still gave the transaction a go-ahead because it realized that UScellular wouldn't be able to survive without help from T-Mobile . The deal has also been greenlit by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is hardly surprising, given T-Mobile abandoned its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to get it approved.The FCC wasn't expected to share the DoJ's concern, according to New Street Research policy analyst Blair Levin, as reported by Light Reading . After all, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has not expressed any concern about spectrum aggregation during his tenure as chairman.The FCC is investigating whether EchoStar, which owns DISH, is meeting its federal obligation by building out a 5G network using the spectrum it owns. If the company is found deficient in its commitment, it might be asked to sell its spectrum to the Big Three.
—Blair Levin, New Street Research policy analyst, July 2025 US cable operators, which are shaping up to be a threat to the nation's largest wireless carriers, are unlikely to bid for EchoStar's spectrum, leaving the DoJ no choice but to auction it off to the Big Three.New Street Research analyst Jonathan Chaplin believes that cable companies, and not DISH, should be viewed as the country's fourth mobile operator. Though EchoStar once had a shot at becoming the fourth carrier, it no longer seems possible.
—Jonathan Chaplin, New Street Research analyst, July 2025 Cable companies like Charter's Spectrum Mobile and Comcast's Xfinity Mobile are outperforming DISH's Boost Mobile and are something of disruptors.
They use their Wi-Fi networks and CBRS-based networks to not rely too much on AT&T , T-Mobile , and Verizon , on whom they depend nonetheless to provide service through Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreements. That's because they don't have network infrastructure of their own. This allows them to keep costs in check.
Cable operators provide mobile service to consumers at half the price of Verizon . At the same time, carriers now offer broadband service for less than what cable charges. EchoStar's chances of survival might start looking up if it signed an MVNO agreement with cable. EchoStar has in the past expressed willingness to do so, but it's not known if any concrete steps were taken to make this happen.That said, since EchoStar is in the process of building out its network, this might be difficult to pull off, unless it signs roaming agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile , which they might not agree to.
As things stand now, T-Mobile , which is already the largest US wireless carrier, is on its way to becoming even more powerful. This is only going to embolden it to take more unpopular decisions. On the other hand, T-Mobile has the best network in the US and leads in most service metrics, and the purchase of UScellular will allow it to bring better service to consumers in rural areas. Maybe it really is the survival of the fittest. Switch to a 2-month Total 5G or 5G+ plan with Total Wireless and score this foldable deal.
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