The new Equinix partnership will give Dish access to the critical interconnection infrastructure in Equinix’s International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers across the US. Tapping Equinix’s vast footprint will help Dish launch its network nationwide. Meanwhile, Cisco is providing a range of cloud networking and automation software for the Dish 5G network. The two companies are co-innovating a virtual routing implementation, and Cisco is helping to plan the delivery of network slicing. Cisco is also helping Dish build out a DevOps team to bring new services to market quickly. “DISH has compiled an outstanding roster of partners in the wireless industry, and Cisco is a key player helping us launch a customizable, automated, 5G network optimized for enterprise performance,” Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen said in a statement. “Working with Cisco is central to achieving our goal of delivering a best-in-class experience for enterprises.”