- Ericsson will supply 600 MHz dual-band radios to support the deployment of spectrum acquired from EchoStar
- The selection of Ericsson is no surprise given AT&T gave it the keys to its open RAN network several years ago
- AT&T says the deployment of 600 MHz will prepare the network for growing demand from everyday apps, connected devices and AI-enabled tools, both now and in the future
AT&T is wasting no time getting its 600 MHz ducks in a row, including the selection of Ericsson to supply the 600 MHz dual-band radios it will use to deploy its newly acquired spectrum from EchoStar.
Ericsson was chosen as AT&T’s supplier of 600 MHz dual-band radios after “an open and competitive process,” enabling AT&T to deploy uplink-enhancing 8RX technology across low bands for the first time, according to the operator.
Fierce asked how many other bidders were considered; AT&T said it doesn’t share details about its bid process. It also declined to say exactly how many radios it’s buying from Ericsson.
The dual-band designation refers to the fact the Ericsson radios support bands 14 and 71, aka FirstNet’s 700 MHz band and the recently acquired 600 MHz band.
AT&T’s network modernization
AT&T’s progress in the 600 MHz ecosystem follows its collaboration with Ericsson in the open RAN arena. AT&T famously picked Ericsson in 2023 to lead its open RAN deployment, kicking off a process whereby it’s ripping Nokia gear out of all of its markets and replacing it with Ericsson.
Existing Ericsson infrastructure is also getting upgraded as part of AT&T’s transition to an open RAN architecture nationwide.
“We’re more than halfway through our wireless network modernization, and we're executing to plan,” said AT&T SVP and Network CTO Yigal Elbaz said in a statement. “By combining our newly acquired 600 MHz spectrum with Ericsson’s advanced radios, we’re improving coverage and performance for customers today while building a more modern, flexible network for the future.”
The 600 MHz spectrum is especially valuable because it can travel farther and provider stronger coverage inside buildings compared to higher-frequency spectrum. Therefore, customers can expect more reliable connections in more places, including indoors and in rural areas where coverage is often harder to deliver, according to AT&T.
The operator expects the 600 MHz spectrum will help prepare the network for growing demand from everyday apps, connected devices, AI-enabled tools and data-heavy traffic, both now and into the future.
600 MHz spectrum ties to Dish
The 600 MHz spectrum is part of another drama unfolding in the wireless industry: Dish Wireless’ exit.
Parent company EchoStar’s sale of the 600 MHz and 3.45 GHz spectrum to AT&T almost a year ago effectively ended its bid to try to be a fourth facilities-based carrier in the U.S., a condition that was part of the government’s decision to approve the T-Mobile/Sprint merger.
In May 2025, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brenda Carr launched an investigation into EchoStar’s use of its spectrum and 5G buildout requirements, casting doubt about EchoStar’s future ability to hold its licenses. EchoStar claimed that it was a “force majeure” event that led to its ultimate demise as a network operator and inability to pay its vendors and tower companies.
That prompted tower companies to file multiple lawsuits, which were stayed when EchoStar’s Dish Wireless and Dish DBS subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 30. EchoStar said it filed at that time due to “unforeseen delays” in the closure of its AT&T spectrum transaction. Without the funds from the spectrum sale, Dish was unable to make a senior secured notes payment that was due July 1.
Court paves the way
Last month, a U.S. District Court judge signed off on the Department of Justice’s request to officially relieve Dish/EchoStar of its 5G network buildout obligation. The DoJ concluded that because EchoStar didn’t have access to the spectrum to operate a wireless network, the sale of its spectrum to AT&T and SpaceX represented the best outcome.
The Dallas-based operator closed on the $23 billion 600 MHz and 3.45 GHz spectrum acquisition last month.
AT&T was able to get the 3.45 GHz spectrum deployed in record time thanks to a lease agreement with EchoStar, but the 600 MHz rollout takes longer because it’s not a spectrum band that was supported in existing AT&T radio equipment.
Today, AT&T said it will provide additional details about its 600 MHz deployment plans, including timing and commercial availability, at a later date.
Read more Fierce stories about AT&T’s spectrum purchase:
AT&T closes $23B spectrum deal with EchoStar
FCC gives conditional OK to EchoStar’s spectrum sales to AT&T, SpaceX