Dish RFP Seeks Telecom Transport Providers to Support 5G Buildout

Dish Network plans to release a request for proposals for telecom transport to facilitate fiber connectivity to cell towers and data centers for its planned 5G network, the company said Thursday. "We see an opportunity to learn from nontraditional partners," said Executive Vice President-Wireless Operations Jeff McSchooler, "like utilities and municipalities that may be deploying fiber in their communities. We are exploring varying transport infrastructures to support our aggressive buildout." Vendors can email 5GtransportRFP@dish.com by Jan. 30 to request the RFP. Dish says it's committed to making its stand-alone 5G network available to 70 percent of the U.S. population by June 2023. The fate of T-Mobile's buying Sprint, approved by FCC and DOJ but held up by states' litigation, is expected to determine whether and when Dish's 5G network moves forward (see 2001150077). Company officials made a pitch to fiber providers at the fall Incompas Show (see 1911050016).