Dish Says It Has Met 2022 5G Network Deadlines

Dish Network met its AWS H block, AWS-4 and lower 700 MHz E-block deployment obligations by the June 14 deadline, the company said Friday in an FCC docket 22-212 status report. It said that as of Thursday, it offered 5G service to 72.77 million Americans, or nearly 22% of the U.S. population, with its AWS-4 and AWS H-block licenses and covered more than 26% of the population in the markets where it holds an E-block license. It was obligated by June 14 to offer 5G broadband to at least 20% of the U.S. population and to have deployed a core network for its licenses. Chairman Charlie Ergen indicated earlier this year no deadline extension would be needed (see 2205060036). Dish said meeting the deadline meant overcoming such hurdles as supply chain shortages of radios and other equipment and delays in power availability at 5G sites due to utility companies' supply chain and workforce issues. It said it so far has opened 39 offices in 28 states in support of its network deployment. It said its commercial broadband is now available in more than 120 cities.