FCC approves AT&T and Starlink's $40B EchoStar spectrum purchase
The FCC has approved EchoStar's sale of spectrum licenses to AT&T and SpaceX for a combined $40 billion. The decision follows FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's threat to revoke the licenses last year.
The Federal Communications Commission yesterday gave the green light to EchoStar's sale of spectrum licenses to AT&T and Starlink operator SpaceX. The deals total $40 billion.
The orders came from the agency's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Space Bureau. They were widely expected after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr effectively forced EchoStar to sell the licenses.
Last year, Carr threatened to revoke the licenses after SpaceX alleged that EchoStar subsidiary Dish Network “barely uses” the spectrum to provide mobile service to US consumers. Dish had secured a deadline extension for its network deployment obligations from the Biden-era FCC, but Carr objected to that agreement.
Following Carr's threat, the Charlie Ergen-led EchoStar struck deals to sell spectrum licenses to SpaceX for $17 billion and to AT&T for $23 billion.
Small carriers have voiced frustration over the decision, arguing it consolidates spectrum in the hands of major players. The FCC's approval marks a significant shift in the wireless landscape.