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EchoStar has agreed to sell wireless spectrum licenses to SpaceX for about $17 billion, boosting SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network while easing U.S. regulatory concerns. The deal, announced Monday, sent EchoStar shares up nearly 22% in premarket trading.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had questioned EchoStar’s underuse of mobile-satellite service spectrum and its progress in 5G deployment. U.S. President Donald Trump had also urged the company and FCC Chair Brendan Carr to find common ground. EchoStar believes this transaction, combined with its $23 billion spectrum sale to AT&T in August, will resolve FCC inquiries.
Under the agreement, SpaceX will pay up to $8.5 billion in cash and $8.5 billion in stock, while also covering around $2 billion in EchoStar’s debt interest through 2027. Additionally, EchoStar’s Boost Mobile customers will gain access to Starlink’s direct-to-cell service, enhancing connectivity for mobile users.
This sale means EchoStar will lose significant spectrum for 5G deployment but continue operating Dish TV, Sling TV, HughesNet internet, and the Boost Mobile brand.
The FCC has emphasized the need for efficient use of scarce spectrum, while SpaceX has long argued that EchoStar left valuable mid-band spectrum underutilized. In April, SpaceX told regulators that EchoStar’s 2 GHz spectrum was “ripe for sharing” and better suited for next-generation satellite services.
The agreement strengthens Starlink’s ability to run direct-to-cell services on its own frequencies, reducing reliance on carrier partnerships like T-Mobile. With over 8,000 Starlink satellites launched since 2020, SpaceX continues to expand its low-Earth orbit network, serving militaries, businesses, and rural consumers.
Shares of U.S. telecom giants AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon slipped about 4% in premarket trading following the announcement.
