FCC angers small carriers by helping AT&T and Starlink buy EchoStar spectrum
6 hours ago
- #Telecom Deals
- #FCC Approval
- #Spectrum Sale
- FCC approves EchoStar's sale of spectrum licenses to AT&T and SpaceX, totaling $40 billion.
- Approval follows FCC Chairman Carr's threat to revoke licenses due to underuse by Dish Network, EchoStar's subsidiary.
- Deals involve AT&T acquiring 50 MHz (30 MHz at 3.45 GHz, 20 MHz at 600 MHz) for 5G and fixed wireless, and SpaceX buying 65 MHz (1.695-2.2 GHz) for Starlink mobile service.
- EchoStar objects to an FCC condition requiring a $2.4 billion escrow to compensate construction companies, hinting at a potential legal challenge.
- Boost Mobile, owned by EchoStar, will use AT&T's network and access Starlink's mobile service, scaling back EchoStar's own network plans.