EchoStar has agreed to sell $23 billion worth of spectrum licenses to AT&T in a deal spurred by threats made by the Federal Communications Commission to revoke EchoStar’s rights to use the spectrum. AT&T said it will use the spectrum to boost its 5G mobile network and expand its fixed wireless home Internet service.
The AT&T/EchoStar deal, which is expected to be completed in mid-2026, could mark the beginning of EchoStar’s spectrum portfolio being carved up and sold to other carriers. Starlink operator SpaceX has sought access to some of EchoStar’s spectrum, alleging that the company isn’t putting it to good use.
An EchoStar announcement today said, “EchoStar has entered into a definitive agreement with AT&T to sell the company’s 3.45 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum licenses—a total of 50 MHz of nationwide spectrum—for approximately $23 billion, subject to regulatory approval. In addition, the companies have amended their network services agreement to create a hybrid mobile network operator (MNO) relationship. This transaction is part of EchoStar’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) inquiries.”
Read full article
Comments