Expanding into a new line of business, Dish Network said it has deployed its national fleet of professional technicians to repair iPhones for consumers and business users, whether or not they get service from Dish.
Coverage all 50 states, Dish’s new Smart Phone Repair service will fix cracked screens and replace batteries on several Apple iPhone models, including the iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6 and 6 Plus. Dish currently doesn’t fix Android devices, but noted in its announcement that it plans to expand service to include other devices and smartphone accessories in the coming months.
Dish said the new service aims to eliminate the hassle and uncertainty of smartphone repair using transparent pricing and its pro techs, while using “high-quality replacement parts from respected third parties.” Dish sees its on-site capabilities as a key differentiator particularly in the area of convenience.
Dish also outlined fixed pricing on its services (see below), which include a $35 “Drive to Me” fee. For example, repairing a screen for an iPhone 6 Plus costs $184.99, while a battery replacement for a supported iPhone models costs $74.99.
Dish added that it also offers appointments seven days a week, including same-day and next-day availability, and offers a 60-day warranty on all repair work. The service also works with Dish’s “My Tech” app, a tool that provides info on the repair tech assigned to them and a way to track the progress of the technician’s vehicle.
Dish said it also offers onsite corporate events for large-scale repairs on enterprise smartphones and employees’ personal devices.
The new service will compete with Apple’s own repair program. Per Apple’s support site, fixing a screen for an iPhone6 Plus costs $99 with AppleCare+, or $149 without, for example. Battery replacements on all models are no cost if the device is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, or $79 if the device is out of warranty. Apple lets customers bring a device in for repair at Apple Stores or by sending it in, with a turnaround of three to five business days. Dish’s service will also come up against retail specialists such as BatteriesPlus, which also repairs iPhone screens and installs new batteries if customers bring them in to physical store locations.
“Fixing your phone shouldn’t mean losing your phone for days on end, so we come to you – whether you’re at the office, the gym or even the coffee shop,” John Swieringa, Dish’s executive vice president of operations, said in a statement. “DISH is uniquely positioned with the technical know-how and ability to respond to a customer’s needs in every state across the country. Instead of paying $650 or more to replace a smartphone, our technicians step in to extend the life of the phone when a screen shatters or a battery loses its charge."
Here’s the initial pricing on Dish’s new smartphone repair service:
-Screen repair for iPhone 6 Plus: $184.99
-Screen repair for iPhone 6: $154.99
-Screen repair for iPhone 5s, 5c, or 5: $134.99
-Battery replacement for iPhone 6 Plus, 6, 5s, 5c, and 5: $74.99
-Screen repair/battery replacement for iPhone 6 Plus: $224.98
-Screen repair/battery replacement for iPhone 6: $194.98
-Screen repair/battery replacement for iPhone 5s, 5c, or 5: $174.98
