FCC's Push to Let SpaceX Use EchoStar's Spectrum Gets Weird and Ugly

FCC's Push to Let SpaceX Use EchoStar's Spectrum Gets Weird and Ugly

In a surprise, an outgoing GOP commissioner slams the FCC's effort to pull EchoStar's exclusive access to 2GHz spectrum, something SpaceX wants for its cellular Starlink service.

FCC Unfairly Targeting EchoStar, Former Commissioner Simington Says

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission should reverse course in its probes against EchoStar, former FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington argued in a Tuesday op-ed.The agency opened two dockets last month, seeking input on whether EchoStar is effectively using its 2 GigaHertz satellite spectrum and whether the FCC should reconsider its 2024 decision to give EchoStar more time to reach its 5G buildout milestones. Both cited…

FCC's Pair of EchoStar Proceedings See Both Sides Digging In

EchoStar allies and critics fortified their positions in the FCC's twin EchoStar proceedings in docket 22-212 and 25-173 reply comments, which were due Friday. The replies covered much of the same turf as initial comments did. One side argued that...

EchoStar bondholders brace for default battle

EchoStar bondholders reportedly hired a law company as it faces the possibility of bankruptcy due to US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) probes into its Boost Mobile network build and unused spectrum. Bloomberg reported the company hired Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld following a decision at the end of May to skip a cash interest payment on its 10.75 per cent senior spectrum notes due in 2029. EchoStar noted in the filing it has a 30-day …