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The U.S. telecom landscape is undergoing another round of major transformation, marked by shifting priorities among carriers, evolving tower strategies, executive leadership changes, and a growing divergence between carriers and contractors. This executive strategy briefing outlines the most pressing developments as we look toward 2026 and beyond.
1. DISH Network’s Massive Site Decommissioning: 24,000 Sites to Be Cut
In one of the most significant network restructuring efforts in recent telecom history, DISH is expected to decommission up to 24,000 wireless sites across the U.S. This move is a clear signal that DISH failed its ambitions as the fourth nationwide carrier, and repositioning following its divesture of spectrum owned by EchoStar, (DISH’s parent) and
changing market dynamics.
Key Implications:
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This decommissioning effort will mostly affect macro tower sites, especially those leased from the Big 3 tower companies: Crown Castle, American Tower, and SBA Communications.
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These three companies host approximately 85% to 90% of DISH’s infrastructure, making them particularly exposed to churn risk.
2. Crown Castle Takes the Hardest Hit
Among the tower operators, Crown Castle is set to be the most impacted, as it has the largest concentration of DISH co-locations. While this will be a painful short-term blow, the company is expected to realign strategically.
Strategic Moves:
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Crown Castle is rumored to be focusing solely on U.S. operations and may offload non-core assets, which would streamline its operations and free up capital for reinvestment into domestic infrastructure.
3. T-Mobile’s Leadership Change & Growth Strategy
In a pivotal leadership transition, Srini Gopalan will succeed Mike Sievert as CEO of T-Mobile on November 1, 2025. Gopalan inherits a company in growth mode and is expected to usher in a new era of digital-first transformation.
4. T-Mobile Acquires US Cellular’ s Wireless Business
T-Mobile has officially closed its acquisition of US Cellular’ s wireless operations,
adding 4 million new customers to its base. This will help T-Mobile further expand its rural and mid-market presence and enhance its 5G footprint.
5. Tower Builds & Equipment Modifications to Stay Strong Through 2027
Despite DISH’s pullback, the Big 3 carriers—Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T—remain in a robust build phase. Equipment upgrades, site densification, and macro-to-rooftop modifications are expected to continue through at least 2027.
6. Supply Chain Holding Strong, But Manufacturing Under Pressure
The telecom supply chain remains stable, with no major tariff impacts reported. However,
tower manufacturing is nearing capacity, and suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand.
Good News:
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Equipment upgrades and modifications are still moving forward without major delays.
7. Contractor Pushback Intensifies
As build cycles ramp up, general contractors and subcontractors are resisting pressure from carriers to scale faster. Many remember when aggressive hiring led to unfulfilled promises and sudden work stoppages.
Key Tension Points:
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Wage pressure is rising, with contractors demanding increases.
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Carriers, in contrast, are trying to suppress costs, leading to friction across the value chain.
8. Rural Tower Co-Locations Are On the Rise
There’s been a notable uptick in rural tower co-locations, long viewed as underutilized assets. This is great news for tower companies, who can improve margins and reduce churn through higher tenancy ratios.
9. The 2026–2027 Outlook: Rooftop & Co-Locations Surge
The next two years will bring a healthy mix of rooftop and rural co-locations. T-Mobile is leading the charge, with Verizon maintaining a steady build pace, and AT&T ramping back up after a quieter period.
For Site Owners:
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If you have a DISH lease, expect decommissioning soon, especially for leases near term expiration or with low utilization.
10. Could AT&T Step in to Absorb DISH’s Decommissioned Leases?
There’s early speculation that AT&T may step into select DISH sites to fulfill build obligations, particularly in underbuilt regions. However, it’s still too early to say how these lease transitions might play out.
11. EchoStar’s Spectrum Sale to Starlink Gives Musk an Edge in Rural America
In a notable transaction, EchoStar has sold spectrum assets to Starlink, giving the satellite giant a leg up in rural broadband. This could pose a long-term threat to macro and fixed wireless networks in low-density areas.
12. M&A Activity: Non-Core Assets May Hit the Market
As tower and infrastructure portfolios get re-evaluated, non-core telecom assets may soon be spun off. These assets typically fetch 20x annual cash flow, while premium towers can go for 30–40x.
The Challenge?
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Finding motivated sellers remains difficult, especially as cash flow stabilizes across key portfolios.
13. Spectrum Auction Watch: 2026 Will Be Key
Industry insiders believe the FCC will hold another spectrum auction in 2026. These auctions are reliable catalysts for new build cycles, especially in mid-band or rural-focused spectrum blocks.
14. Crown Castle's Strategic Realignment
With DISH winding down and other macro trends unfolding, Crown Castle is expected to:
- Double down on U.S. markets
- Divest non-core fiber and small cell assets
- Refocus on profitable co-location and 5G densification strategies
Final Takeaways:
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The telecom infrastructure sector is in flux, but build activity remains strong overall.
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DISH’s exit leaves both risk and opportunity, especially for carriers looking to expand or reposition.
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Expect rising co-locations, rural expansion, and strategic acquisitions to drive value over the next 24 months.
- Contractors will be key players, but tensions over compensation and job pipeline stability must be addressed.
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Watch for Crown Castle’s next moves, T-Mobile’s leadership-driven evolution, and Starlink’s rural ambitions.
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