FCC might be requiring Boost Mobile to divest its spectrum and get out of the business. EchoStar’s Boost Mobile has not yet delivered on its promise to be the fourth major U.S. wireless carrier that the FCC agreed to for when it approved Dish Network’s acquisition of the brand, as a condition of Sprint merging with T-Mobile this past April.
At the time Dish acquired Boost Mobile on July 1, 2020, the carrier had almost 9 million subscribers. But since then, that number has fallen to 7.36 million as of June 2025 — down 18.2 percent.
Boost Mobile Numbers Starting to Rebound
Although it has been falling, Boost Mobile has shown signs of life lately. The company has added net subscribers over the past three quarters in a row. During 2024 Q4, Boost Mobile acquired 90,000 net new subscribers. It gained 150,000 net new paid members in Q1 2025 and another 85,000 in Q2 2025. In all, Boost Mobile gained 325,000 subscribers across three quarters, indicating there’s still momentum here to be had.
There have also been talks about a merger with MVNO MobileX. There is no shortage of speculation that one of the original Boost Mobile founders, Peter Adderton, who is now the CEO of the newly created MobileX, will partner as well. But as of now, neither EchoStar nor MobileX has verified any such plans and the companies have not responded to inquiries.
But Adderton said the current structure of Boost Mobile is not one that he likes. According to Adderton, the brand has shed much of its original identity. “The roots was all Boost had to go for,” according to him. It was a cool brand, but they took the actual thing that mattered and killed it.”
FCC vs. Boost Mobile on Spectrum Use
At issue is FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s threat to “revisit” an extension given to EchoStar to give Boost Mobile more time to meet its coverage requirements. Carr has attacked the company for stockpiling spectrum without putting it to good use.
This came after the issue was brought to the forefront by complaints from SpaceX. Elon Musk’s operation has sought access to the 2GHz spectrum to scale up its direct-to-devic e offering resembling T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered T-Satellite. This could enable smartphones to connect directly to satellites in areas that are not covered by cell towers.
Industry analysts like Blair Levin of New Street Research suspect that a compromise may be possible. Levin said EchoStar could sell some spectrum and keep enough licenses to remain active as a fourth facilities-based wireless carrier. However Levin adds that it’s possible FCC leadership won’t be happy until Boost Mobile leaves the market outright.
The Larger Significance: Can Boost Mobile Make It Through Pressure from the FCC?
A few experts say that the FCC pressure, if sustained and consistent, could push EchoStar to sell spectrum to the Big 3 carriers – Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Critics argue that this would undermine competition and further entrench the United States’ biggest players in the wireless game.
The future of Boost Mobile, meanwhile, is still up in the air. With subscriber numbers ticking up, there’s life yet in the brand. Still, regulatory fights, spectrum fights and industry consolidation could all knock Boost Mobile out of the wireless business even as it’s started to make some decent headway recently.
FAQ
The F.C.C. believes EchoStar’s Boost Mobile is squatting on spectrum, and not using it in an efficient manner, and it is worried about competition.
As of June 2025, Boost Mobile had 7.36 million subscribers, compared with 9 million in 2020.
There have been rumours of a merger being on the cards as the original founder of Boost has links with MobileX, but it is unconfirmed.
SpaceX lobbied for crucial 2GHz spectrum for use of its satellites direct-to-device, as Boost began to feel the heat.
