EchoStar offloads satellite spectrum to SpaceX for $17 billion
EchoStar, the parent company of Dish, is selling its wireless spectrum licenses to SpaceX for around $17 billion. SpaceX plans to use this spectrum to enhance its Starlink satellite internet service, which will also be made available to customers of EchoStar's Boost Mobile. The deal is expected to resolve an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) into EchoStar's 5G expansion plans. SpaceX had previously complained that EchoStar was not fully utilizing its spectrum for satellite connectivity. EchoStar had intended to use its AWS-4 (2GHz) spectrum band to enable direct-to-device satellite cell service, but this sale effectively ends that plan. EchoStar's CEO, Hamid Akhavan, stated that the deal will allow SpaceX to realize its "direct-to-cell vision" in a more innovative, economical, and faster way for consumers worldwide.
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