Dish Network is preparing for 5G

DISH Network announced that the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the global wireless standards body, formally approved narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) support for Band 70. 3GPP specifications will enable the development of NB-IoT devices and network infrastructure using Band 70, among other potential uses for the band.

“This latest milestone positions DISH to bring new wireless broadband capacity as well as connectivity for the next generation of IoT devices in the coming 5G ecosystem,” said Tom Cullen, DISH executive vice president of Corporate Development.

3GPP’s NB-IoT standards create a foundation for the development of wireless infrastructure and devices that support extended coverage for low-cost and densely deployed devices that can feature a battery life of up to 10 years.

Band 70, which was approved in June of this year, already supports LTE-Advanced Pro and combines three spectrum blocks encompassing DISH’s current AWS-4 spectrum as downlink (2000-2020 MHz), DISH’s H block downlink spectrum (1995-2000 MHz), and unpaired AWS-3 uplink spectrum (1695-1710 MHz) held by entities in which DISH has invested.

DISH and the entities in which it has invested have on average almost 80 MHz of spectrum nationwide, covering over 23 billion MHz-POPs.

DISH Network, through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 13.643 million pay-TV subscribers, as of September 30, 2016, with the highest-quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value.

DISH offers a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company.