09/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/09/2025 04:29
RE: EchoStar's Spectrum Licenses
Dear Mr. Ergen:
Earlier this year, I wrote a letter notifying you that I had asked FCC staff to investigate EchoStar's compliance with its buildout milestones and other obligations regarding the company's federal spectrum licenses. As I noted at the time, the FCC's buildout obligations are designed to ensure that communities in rural and urban America have a fair shot at next- generation connectivity.
I have appreciated your responses, engagement, and information provided since my original letter.
Accordingly, I have asked FCC staff to bring the agency's investigation to conclusion. In particular, I have directed FCC staff to: (1) dismiss VTel's petition for reconsideration; (2) confirm that EchoStar holds exclusive terrestrial and MSS rights over the AWS-4 spectrum to which it is currently licensed; and (3) find that relevant FCC buildout and other related obligations have been satisfied by EchoStar in view of the company's current FCC milestones.
Sincerely,
Brendan Carr