AT&T to Acquire $23B in Spectrum Licenses from EchoStar

AT&T has agreed to acquire approximately $23 billion worth of low-band and mid-band spectrum licenses from EchoStar — the parent company of Dish Network, Sling TV and Boost Mobile. The deal gives AT&T control of roughly 50MHz of spectrum across more than 400 U.S. markets.

Key points

• Purchase price: ~ $23 billion.
• Spectrum: ~50MHz of low- and mid-band frequencies (used for 5G and LTE).
• Coverage: Licenses cover 400+ U.S. markets.
• Boost Mobile: Will operate primarily on AT&T’s network under an expanded long-term wholesale agreement; customers will maintain access to T-Mobile’s network during the transition.
• Regulatory context: The FCC has pressured EchoStar to use or divest spectrum to prevent warehousing; the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval.
• Timeline: Expected to close in mid-2026.

What this means

The acquisition strengthens AT&T’s mid- and low-band holdings, helping capacity and coverage for 5G and LTE services in hundreds of markets. For Boost Mobile, the deal shifts the brand to operate largely as a hybrid mobile operator relying on AT&T’s infrastructure.

Source

Official announcement: AT&T News

Originally reported by various outlets; details are subject to regulatory approval and may change.