DISH Network, after months of delay, launched its 5G service to consumers in Las Vegas yesterday, according to Reuters. The new service, named “Project Genesis,” was originally planned to hit Las Vegas in September in an effort to diminish dependence on T-Mobile’s network.
T-Mobile provided the power for DISH’s prepaid wireless service, Boost, which was part of T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint. The now-merged carriers, in the face of anti-trust action, agreed to divest themselves of some wireless spectrum along with some assets that would be used by their new competitor, Inside Towers reported.
Although DISH was allowed to use T-Mobile’s network, complications arose when T-Mobile decided to shut down its CDMA services which were being widely used by Boost customers. DISH is creating its own cellular network, with a mandate to bring it on-line by June in 120 markets.
Customers signing up for the service will have to pay $30 per month and DISH is selling its first smartphone – the Motorola Edge+ – loaded with the service for about $900, the company said in a statement.
Reader Interactions