Dish Wireless is a subsidiary of EchoStar and associated with several communications brands, including Boost Mobile, Gen Mobile, Ting Mobile, and Project Genesis. Dish Wireless sells postpaid cellular plans under the brands of Boost Mobile and Project Genesis, and prepaid plans through Boost Mobile, and MVNO subsidiaries Gen Mobile, and Ting Mobile.
Overview
Dish Wireless / Boost Mobile was stepping in to replace Sprint as the fourth big cellular provider, after Sprint's merger with T-Mobile in 2020.
As part of that merger, Dish purchased Boost Mobile, Sprint's prepaid subsidiary, and two Sprint MVNOs - Ting Mobile in 2020 and Republic Wireless in 2021.
Dish Wireless then proceeded to build its own physical network to compete with T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. They succeeded in creating the network, but never developed a customer base to become financially viable.
In mid-2025, Echostar began selling cellular spectrum and assets to other companies, including SpaceX and AT&T. With most of its core spectrum being sold, EchoStar/Dish is getting out of the business of physically operating a cellular network.
But EchoStar/Dish is not getting out of the cellular business entirely - its deal with AT&T guarantees that its cellular brands like Boost Mobile will live on as a "Hybrid MNO (Mobile Network Operator)" with a Dish-operated 5G network core that relies on physical towers operated by partners.
Project Genesis
Project Genesis
Dish's first foray into selling its own plans launched in May 2022 under the name Project Genesis, offering service in Las Vegas, NV.
Initially, Project Genesis offered a phone and mobile hotspot plan. The hotspot plan is no longer available for new customers, but existing customers are grandfathered in.
Project Genesis has very limited compatible device options and currently no plan options available for sale other than for compatible smartphones.
Plan Specifications
- Plan Name: Smartphone Plan **TOP PICK**
- Carrier Networks Used: Dish Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct, Partnerships with T-Mobile and AT&T
- Plan Types Available: Smartphone
- Device Types Permitted: Smartphone
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Unlimited
- Throttling: No
- Network Management: Not Specified
- Video Streaming Resolution: Not Specified
- 5G Access: Yes
- eSIM: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: Yes
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming: Not Specified
- Domestic Roaming: Yes. Undisclosed, but likely on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks (until 2027).
- Data Rollover: No
- Overage Charges: No
- Lines Permitted Per Account: Up to 5
- Extra: Project Genesis App
- Price: $25/month
We only track smartphone plans that meet our criteria for mobile internet, which is having at least 50GB of mobile hotspot data. Other smartphone plans may be available from the carrier other than those listed here.
If you want information on other available smartphone plans, our friend Stetson Doggett manages the website Best Phone Plans, which provides comprehensive information on all plans provided by each carrier.
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile was originally a prepaid subsidiary of Sprint, but it was sold to Dish in July 2020 as part of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger.
As part of the agreement of Dish's purchase of Boost Mobile, they were given the right to use T-Mobile's 5G network for seven years. Dish entered into a roaming agreement with AT&T in 2021 and another in 2025 as part of its divestment of spectrum assets.
Starting in late 2025, Boost will operate on the Dish 5G core, but using physical towers from other providers, mainly AT&T, but also T-Mobile.
Note: Boost Mobile's prepaid cellular plans are the same as their postpaid plans (same names and features). Postpaid also has plans that include the purchase of a smartphone.
Plan Specifications
- Plan Name: Unlimited Premium
- Carrier Networks Used: Dish Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct, Partnerships with T-Mobile and AT&T
- Plan Types Available: Smartphone
- Device Types Permitted: Smartphone
- Unlimited: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Included, up to plan limit
- Throttling: After 50GB, 512 Kbps speed
- Network Management: Not Specified
- Video Streaming Resolution: Not Specified
- 5G Access: Yes
- eSIM: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming: 5GB/month in Canada and Mexico
- Domestic Roaming: Yes. Undisclosed, but likely on the AT&T and T-Mobile networks (until 2027).
- Data Rollover: No
- Overage Charges: No
- Lines Permitted Per Account: Up to 5
- Extra:
- Price: $60/month
Price includes a $5/month AutoPay discount.
We only track smartphone plans that meet our criteria for mobile internet, which is having at least 50GB of mobile hotspot data. Other smartphone plans may be available from the carrier other than those listed here.
If you want information on other available smartphone plans, our friend Stetson Doggett manages the website Best Phone Plans, which provides comprehensive information on all plans provided by each carrier.
News, Videos, & Status
Initially, Project Genesis offered both smartphone and mobile hotspot plans. Mobile hotspots are no longer available for new customers.
We purchased the Project Genesis Nighthawk MR6400 M6 Pro hotspot device with an unlimited data plan and tested it nationwide.
Our MIAs can view our testing notes:
- Testing: Project Genesis by Dish Wireless Unlimited Hotspot / M6 Pro MR6400 (Carrier / Mobile Hotspot)
Related News Stories
Alternatives to Consider
Also consider some of our other top pick data plans:
This Review Contains Additional Member Exclusive Content!
We are Honored to be Member Funded! No ads, no sponsors, no selling (but may contain affiliate links)
Our members fund our in-depth independent reviews.
This entry may contain additional member exclusive content such as testing notes, field testing data, user interface tours, comparisons to alternatives, analysis, tips, videos and discounts.
Members also get interactive guidance, alerts, classroom and more.
Are you a member? Please log in above to access your member exclusive content!
Other Ways to Support Our Work At MIRC
Member Exclusive Content Below
- Thoughts & Analysis - Favorite Features & Potential Downsides
- Deep Dive
- Overview
- Project Genesis Details
- Technology and Cellular Bands
- Retired Plans
- Summary
Purchasing Options
Purchasing Links & Disclaimer
We don't sell stuff, we are primarily member funded. Some links below may be affiliate links (see our disclaimer), which also helps fund MIRC.
The vendors displayed below provide larger discounts to our MIAs that we have negotiated instead of displaying affiliate links while they are logged in.
MIA Discounts - Learn & Save!
Our Mobile Internet Aficionados (MIA) get special discounts from the below vendors. Members please check for discount codes before ordering. With savings up to 11% off, you could save more than your membership cost!
Project Genesis | Boost Mobile | Boost Mobile Prepaid
Shopping for Cellular Data Plans
Finding the right plans for your needs is no easy task - quite simply mobile travelers using cellular data as their primary way online is not how most carriers have designed their plans. Many of us want plans that provide copious amounts of data.
Here's our video going over ways to get LOTS of data for use in your travels:
But a data plan alone will not keep you online. You also need the right gear, signal enhancing strategy and planning your travels around the options you carry with you. Head on over to our collection of guides:
-
Top Data Plan Picks
Our constantly updated list of the BEST data plans.
-
Which Carrier is Best?
Is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Dish best for your travels?
-
Selecting Data Plans
Our deep dive into understanding data plans and shopping for them.
-
Data Plan Pricing Grid
Our always updated spreadsheet comparing all data plans suitable for mobile internet.
-
Getting LOTS of the Data
Learn how to get lots of cellular data in your mobile internet arsenal.
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of 