(Bloomberg) — Dish Network Corp. is another step closer to launching its new nationwide wireless service — Boost Infinite — after opening online customer sign-ups on Thursday.
The company is taking the sign-ups on a new website that lets potential subscribers register for more information. It’s the latest move in what’s been a challenging transition from satellite-TV provider to 5G wireless company — a shift that accelerated when Dish acquired the prepaid mobile service Boost from T-Mobile US Inc. in 2020.
The company’s plan to take online sign-ups was earlier reported by Bloomberg, and the launch date of the website was moved up from Aug. 8 after the article was published.
Though Dish has already begun rolling out 5G in more than 120 cities, including Las Vegas and Albuquerque, New Mexico, the service was offered as a beta test. The new website signals that the company is closer to a true consumer launch. Even so, the sign-up page doesn’t let customers actually subscribe just yet — that’s scheduled to occur “fairly soon,” a person with knowledge of the plans said.
The idea is to become a fourth national wireless carrier — alongside Verizon Communications Inc., T-Mobile and AT&T Inc. — but with lower prices. Boost Infinite is expected to target regular monthly customers who are looking for a cheaper alternative to the national brands. Dish hasn’t announced any pricing for the service yet.
Dish executives on an earnings call Wednesday provided few details about the launch of Boost Infinite, beyond saying that the service would be a challenger to the big three of the wireless industry.
“We have to be scrappier and more innovative and much more entrepreneurial,” Dish Chairman and co-founder Charlie Ergen said on the call. “I think you’ll see Boost and and Boost Infinite come up with creative things in the marketplace.”
After months of technical delays hampering its network expansion, Dish unveiled what was billed as the nation’s first cloud-based 5G wireless service in May. The trial service, located in Las Vegas, was called Project Genesis and offered unlimited data, text and calling for $30 a month.
After acquiring Boost from T-Mobile two years ago, Dish struck network sharing agreements with the carrier and AT&T, helping it offer mobile service across the US.
Ergen said in May that the cloud-based wireless network will attract as many as 40 million subscribers and lift Dish’s annual revenue above $30 billion. In June, Dish said that it had met a US deadline to have its 5G network available to at least 20% of the population.
Dish holds a stockpile of wireless airwave licenses and is building what it refers to as a more nimble, software-run network that it can outperform those operated today by the three major US carriers.
Plans for the new monthly 5G service were disclosed a year ago by Stephen Stokols, chief executive officer of Dish’s Boost Mobile unit. Dish says it will undercut the competition through “disruptive” pricing, a potentially well-timed move as larger rivals are raising rates and fees.
One early drawback to the Boost Infinite service is that, for now, subscribers will need to buy a $900 Motorola Edge+ phone to get connected to Dish’s new network. More phones that are compatible with the system are expected in the third quarter, Dish told analysts Wednesday.
(Updates with company launching sign-ups early after Bloomberg article was published.)
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