Building a nationwide wireless network has long been one of the most expensive challenges in telecommunications. That’s why three national carriers have effectively dominated the U.S., despite repeated efforts to create more competition.
That’s a space Dish had sought to fill.
Dish launched Project Genesis in 2022, envisioning it as a new nationwide 5G carrier that could rival wireless service providers T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. Creating a fourth carrier was part of a broader regulatory effort tied to the T-Mobile-Sprint merger, aimed at preserving competition and giving consumers more wireless choices.
The company was optimistic that Project Genesis could grow from covering 120 cities to providing nationwide service.
“This is an important step forward in our work to connect Americans to our Smart 5G network, but it’s only the beginning,” John Swieringa, president and COO of DISH Wireless, said in a press release at the time. “We continue to focus on building out more coverage and bringing innovative 5G services and solutions to our customers.”
The project launched with a single phone, one hotspot, and two plans. It charged $399.99 for a 128GB, small Samsung Galaxy S22 (normally $799.99) or $349.99 for a Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro hotspot. The phone and hotspot work with a $30/month unlimited phone plan, which includes roaming on AT&T, or a $20/month hotspot plan.
Those plans came with a lifetime guarantee, but that lifetime turned out to be that of the company, not its customers. Dish Wireless has ended Project Genesis as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Dish files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Dish Network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 30, according to court filings on PacerMonitor.
The company will continue most of its operations during its bankruptcy. It filed for Chapter 11 after agreeing on a restructuring plan with most of its creditors.
“The Plan implements the terms of the previously announced Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) signed on March 19, 2026, as amended, modified, or supplemented. Holders of more than 88% of DISH DBS’s secured and unsecured notes, who also hold more than $8.8 billion of DISH Wireless debt, have signed the RSA and have agreed to support the Plan. As a result, the Filing Entities anticipate that all classes of claims will vote to accept, or be deemed to have accepted, the Plan,” the company shared in a press release.
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The Plan remains subject to Court approval.
The filing and prosecution of the cases will not impact DISH TV, Sling TV, or their active operations and employees. EchoStar Corporation, Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, and the entities that operate the Company’s Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile brands are not included in the Cases, and these filings will have no impact on the customers, operations, employees, or financings of these entities.
Project Genesis, however, will be shut down.
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Dish sets plan to close Project Genesis
The loss of Project Genesis means that its customers will lose their guaranteed low prices.
“It was one of the best mobile internet deals we have ever tracked — and we always said it was too good to last,” shared the Mobile Internet Resource Center (MIRC), which reported the shutdown.
“The legendary Dish Project Genesis $20/month unlimited hotspot plan is finally coming to an end, along with Genesis smartphone plans,” the website shared.
Dish sent an email to all Project Genesis customers telling them that the “Genesis project is officially coming to an end,” with final billing this month and service permanently deactivated for everyone on Aug. 31, 2026.
What Project Genesis customers need to know
According to the customer notice now being sent by Project Genesis, existing customers should expect:
- Final billing: Recurring billing stops after the July 2026 payment.
- Service end date: Service remains active for one full month after the final payment and will be permanently deactivated on Aug. 31, 2026.
- Keep your number: Customers must port any phone numbers by July 31, 2026, or the numbers will be lost.
- Support: The notice lists Project Genesis support at (833) 238-1780.
The Dish press release on its Chapter 11 banktuptcy deal makes no mention specifically of Project Genesis. Instead, it groups all its unnamed assets together.
“The filing will permit Dish Wireless and its subsidiaries to complete the transition of their business and dispose of their remaining assets in an orderly and expedited manner. The Chapter 11 process will provide a forum for the determination of all claims against Dish Wireless and the distribution of proceeds from the sale of its remaining assets,” the company shared.
That does leave open the possibility that someone could acquire Project Genesis, although what that would entail after a shutdown remains unclear.
Dish had big hopes for Project Genesis
While it only launched in 120 cities, Dish had planned to make Project Genesis a rival to T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.
The rollout, however, was bumpy, as the company did not have enough cell towers to support the project and leased capacity from T-Mobile and AT&T.
“We’re not quite where we want to be,” said Dish’s Tom Cullen, one of the company’s top wireless executives. Cullen made his comments during a trade show in Denver.
“We’re making progress,” he said. “I think we will be bringing disruptive pricing to the market.”
While Project Genesis offered low prices, Dish still competes for those same customers with its Boost Mobile product. That brand offers a $10 per month bill for the first three months, then $25 per month “forever,” according to the brand’s website.
The service, however, does have a small catch.
“Enjoy unlimited talk, text and data with nationwide coverage from Boost Mobile. Your plan includes 30GB of premium, high-speed data. After that, speeds may be lowered to 512kbps,” the company shared.
Project Genesis customers had “truly unlimited” service, according to MIRC. “Video streams were uncapped too — allowing full 4K streaming.”
Dish had stopped offering Project Genesis to new customers in 2023, but kept the service operational.
“It has been clear for a while now that Dish Wireless had no chance of succeeding on its own as a viable business, particularly due to its confusing branding and other missteps that prevented it from building a customer base,” MIRC reported.
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