AT&T has completed its US$23 billion acquisition of wireless spectrum from EchoStar, adding nationwide mid-band and low-band licences to strengthen its 5G network capacity and broadband expansion across the United States.
The transaction, first announced earlier this year, gives AT&T approximately 30 MHz of nationwide 3.45 GHz mid-band spectrum and around 20 MHz of nationwide 600 MHz low-band spectrum. According to the company, the licences cover more than 400 markets, significantly expanding spectrum resources to support future network growth.
Acquisition Enhances Nationwide 5G Capacity
The AT&T EchoStar spectrum acquisition expands the operator’s spectrum portfolio without the need for large-scale infrastructure construction. While network operators continue to invest in new cell sites, acquiring additional spectrum enables greater network capacity across existing infrastructure, reducing the time required to increase coverage and performance. AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Stankey said the transaction reinforces the company’s long-term connectivity strategy, adding, “This acquisition bolsters and expands our spectrum portfolio while enhancing customers’ 5G wireless and home internet experience in even more markets. No one brings wireless and fiber internet to more places or does it better than AT&T – and we do it with the industry’s first and only guarantee for both wireless and fiber. We’re adding fuel to our winning strategy of investing in valuable wireless and broadband assets to become America’s best connectivity provider.”
AT&T said the additional mid-band spectrum will improve 5G download speeds while supporting an AI-ready network designed to strengthen uplink performance. The company expects the added capacity to support emerging applications, including artificial intelligence services, connected vehicles and machine-to-machine communications, which increasingly rely on stronger uplink capabilities.
Expanded Partnership Supports Network Deployment
Alongside the spectrum transfer, AT&T and EchoStar have expanded their existing wholesale network services agreement. Under the revised arrangement, EchoStar will operate Boost Mobile as a hybrid mobile network operator using AT&T’s wireless network for the transferred spectrum, making AT&T its primary network services partner.
The agreement enables EchoStar to continue serving Boost Mobile customers through AT&T’s network while allowing AT&T to integrate the newly acquired spectrum into its nationwide infrastructure strategy.
AT&T said it plans to begin deploying the newly acquired mid-band licences as soon as possible, noting that the spectrum is compatible with its existing 5G equipment. The deployment will be funded within the company’s previously announced multi-year capital investment guidance, while its fibre broadband expansion targets remain unchanged.
The operator also continues to advance its commercial-scale Open RAN deployment, with the additional spectrum expected to strengthen the performance and capacity of its evolving network architecture.
Additional Spectrum Supports Broadband Growth
The AT&T EchoStar spectrum acquisition is expected to support several strategic network initiatives. AT&T plans to accelerate the rollout of its Internet Air fixed wireless broadband service, particularly in areas scheduled for future fibre deployment, providing broadband access before fibre infrastructure becomes available.
The additional spectrum will also support the company’s transition away from legacy copper networks by enabling more customers to migrate to Internet Air and AT&T Phone Advanced in locations where fibre deployment is not planned.
In addition, AT&T expects the expanded spectrum portfolio to support continued growth among customers subscribing to both wireless and home internet services, reflecting increasing demand for integrated connectivity solutions.
The company said the additional spectrum capacity will improve long-term network efficiency by reducing the need for additional cell site construction while supporting growing wireless traffic across its nationwide 5G network. The AT&T EchoStar spectrum acquisition represents one of the largest spectrum transactions in recent years, strengthening AT&T’s ability to expand broadband services and enhance network capacity across the United States.