FCC drops EchoStar probe after Starlink, AT&T deals

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ended its investigation into EchoStar’s use of its federal spectrum licences after it agreed sales of the assets to AT&T and SpaceX.

In May, the FCC called out EchoStar’s lack of use of its AWS-4 spectrum licences and 5G network build out following a complaint by SpaceX.

SpaceX appeared to have an ally in FCC chair Brendan Carr, who pressed EchoStar to part with spectrum it wasn’t using.

EchoStar stated in a filing the same month the FCC probe effectively froze its ability to make decisions regarding the company’s Boost Mobile business

A meeting between EchoStar co-founder and chair Charlie Ergen, Carr and US President Donald Trump proved to be a tipping point for the satellite player selling spectrum which SpaceX maintained was underutilised.

Carr wrote in a letter to Ergen yesterday (8 September) which stated he directed FCC staff to bring the agency’s investigation to a conclusion.

He also noted EchoStar has met the agency’s network buildout requirements, although EchoStar is now shutting down all but the core of its open RAN-based 5G network.

The FCC chair also directed the staff to confirm EchoStar’s exclusive terrestrial and MSS rights over the AWS-4 spectrum it is selling to SpaceX for $17 billion.

EchoStar noted in a filing today (9 September) the deals with AT&T and SpaceX continue to remain subject to FCC approvals.