DISH announced today that it has signed agreements with four fiber vendors -- Everstream, Segra, Uniti and Zayo -- giving DISH fronthaul and backhaul support to connect its 5G network to sites covering approximately 60 million Americans.
"The fiber agreements with Everstream, Segra, Uniti and Zayo are critical to helping DISH build our 5G network more quickly and cost-effectively than legacy deployments," said Jeff McSchooler, DISH executive vice president of wireless network operations. "Today's announcement marks an important milestone in DISH's deployment process, adding to our strong roster of industry-leading tower, radio, software and now fiber vendors."
With the new agreements, DISH says it gains access to fiber connectivity coast-to-coast, providing it the coverage, speed and bandwidth needed to connect its forthcoming markets to what the provider bills as among the nation's first cloud-native, open RAN-based 5G networks.
"Everstream is proud to be chosen by DISH as a fiber infrastructure provider throughout our current and expansion markets. We are thrilled that our proven track record of building, installing and maintaining backhaul and fronthaul cellular networks will serve a strategic role as DISH becomes the country's fourth facilities-based wireless provider," said Everstream president and CEO Brett Lindsey. "Given our extensive reach, network density and ability to deliver low latency, high capacity connectivity, Everstream is uniquely positioned to serve as the partner of choice for DISH in the Midwest."
"We are delighted to be a valued network infrastructure partner with DISH in building out its 5G network throughout the Mid-Atlantic and southeast regions of the US," stated Tim Biltz, Segra's Chief Executive Officer. "Segra's extensive fiber network provides the capacity, scalability and reliability to deliver advanced fiber-based solutions and power DISH's 5G network for years to come."
"Uniti Fiber has worked diligently with DISH to develop a partnership which can provide value to both parties," said Greg Ortyl, Uniti president of strategic accounts. "We look forward to leveraging Uniti Fiber's existing fiber infrastructure to support DISH's 5G deployment."
"Uniti has worked diligently with DISH to develop a partnership that will provide strategic value to both parties," said Kenny Gunderman, President and CEO of Uniti Group. "We are excited to be given this opportunity to partner with DISH and our ability to leverage Uniti's existing dense fiber infrastructure to support DISH's 5G deployment over the next several years."
"Zayo is excited to partner with DISH as they establish the framework for 5G, helping to set the standard for completely seamless wireless networks that will enable the disruptive technologies which will shape our future - including IoT, smart cities, connected vehicles and more," said Steve Smith, CEO, Zayo Group. "We are proud to leverage Zayo's deep, dense metro and long-haul fiber networks to meet the bandwidth demands of 5G and to advance the technological innovations of the future."
Learn more at www.dishnetwork.com.
