DISH Cuts 500 Jobs After AT&T Sale Landlords Next

DISH Network laid off 500 workers at Boost Mobile after selling a big chunk of their wireless spectrum to AT&T. This happened because the company is moving away from running its own wireless network and will instead rely mainly on other companies' networks.

The job cuts were the result of pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who questioned whether DISH was really committed to building a fourth major wireless network. Instead of continuing to build their own towers and equipment, DISH decided to sell their spectrum and operate as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator).

Many of the workers who lost their jobs helped build what became America's first nationwide Open RAN network. They expressed pride in their work even as the company changes direction. DISH will continue operating Boost Mobile, but customers will primarily use AT&T's network instead of DISH's own towers.

DANGER ZONE: Landlords who have DISH site can all but count on their lease being terminated. If you have both DISH and AT&T on your tower, you are at risk of losing your higher AT&T rent in favor of AT&T keeping lower DISH rents as AT&T’s purchased the right to take over existing DISH leases We highly recommend that you have your lease reviewed to be ready for any sudden changes and don’t agree to or sign any changes without cell site pro on your side.