EchoStar wins rights to sell 2GHz spectrum to SpaceX

EchoStar secured global access to the 2GHz band by meeting regulatory conditions needed to maintain the rights to spectrum it sells to SpaceX in a deal forged in September worth more than $17 billion.

In a statement, US-based EchoStar explained subsidiary EchoStar Global Australia initiated a Bringing Back Into Use (BBIU) period by launching the Lyra-4 satellite in June, satisfying a process managed by the International Telecommunication Union by operating in low Earth orbit for at least 90 days.

The satellite operator stated the achievement is “a critical step in powering” next-generation direct-to-device services.

David Goldman, SpaceX VP of satellite policy, wrote on X the news is a good sign for the company’s ambitions.

“It seems wonky, but this announcement is huge for Australians. SpaceX will ultimately see EchoStar’s global S-band rights power its next-gen Starlink direct-to-cell service.”

Goldman noted completing the BBIU process means all other operators in overlapping frequencies must coordinate with Sirion-1, a satellite filing made by a company later acquired by EchoStar.

Australia-based Telstra in June launched satellite-to-mobile messaging for consumer and SME customers using Starlink’s direct-to-device service.

A consortium led by Australian operator Optus plans to deploy a LEO satellite.