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| DISH starts offering Starlink satellite Internet. |
The U.S. wireless landscape was forever changed when T-Mobile’s merger with Sprint was greenlit, on one crucial condition: Sprint had to divest its prepaid brand, Boost Mobile. In a move that surprised many, the buyer wasn’t another telecom, but satellite TV giant Dish Network.
Dish had grand ambitions. It acquired a trove of valuable wireless spectrum, envisioning itself as America’s new, disruptive fourth national carrier with its own standalone 5G network. But the industry moved faster than anyone predicted. T-Mobile’s merger catapulted its 5G deployment lightyears ahead, leaving even Verizon and AT&T scrambling to catch up. The cost and complexity of building a nationwide network from scratch became a monumental challenge.
Faced with this reality, Dish’s corporate parent, EchoStar, made a strategic shift. Instead of building, it decided to sell. In a massive spectrum sale, AT&T acquired roughly $23 billion worth of low-band and mid-band airwaves. The move effectively signaled the end of Dish’s dream to build its own rival 5G footprint, leading it to become a “hybrid” mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and begin decommissioning its own cell towers.
Then, in another blockbuster deal, SpaceX entered the picture, paying EchoStar approximately $19 billion for additional spectrum licenses. This wasn't just about money; it was about capability. This spectrum is key to supercharging SpaceX’s Starlink direct-to-cell satellite constellation, aiming to boost its capacity 100-fold. The goal? To allow SpaceX to beam 5G service directly from space starting in 2026, positioning it as a future competitor to terrestrial giants.
So, what does this mean for consumers today? Dish’s journey has come full circle in an unexpected way. While it didn’t become the next Verizon, its partnerships have transformed it into a unique connectivity retailer.
You can now explore Dish Internet offerings here, which highlights their new role. Most notably, Dish has partnered with SpaceX to become an official seller of Starlink Internet. This pairing is a natural fit: Dish’s nationwide team of satellite installation technicians is perfectly positioned to handle Starlink hardware setup, promising expert installation and no upfront hardware costs.
The service itself remains the game-changing Starlink users know. For $80/month, subscribers can get download speeds up to 200 Mbps—a revolution for rural and underserved areas. For those needing even more power, the $120/month plan delivers 400+ Mbps. And on the horizon is Starlink’s planned cheapest tier, rumored to be around $40/month, potentially using the compact Starlink Mini dish.
Speaking of hardware, the portable Starlink Mini is currently seeing a 40% discount on Amazon, making it an incredibly attractive option for travelers and those seeking a backup connection. Dish customers will likely be among the first to know when such deals become available through their channels.
The Bottom Line:
Dish’s story is a testament to the rapid, unpredictable evolution of the connectivity wars. From aspiring 5G pioneer to a key retail partner for the next generation of satellite internet, Dish has pivoted to fill a crucial niche. By bundling its own hybrid wireless service with the power of Starlink, it’s becoming a one-stop shop for customers seeking to break free from traditional cable and telecom monopolies, especially in areas beyond the reach of fiber. The future of connectivity is hybrid, and Dish, perhaps unexpectedly, is now firmly in the mix.
Note: The Starlink Mini dish deal on Amazon is subject to change. Check current pricing and availability here.