EchoStar has entered into a definitive agreement with AT&T to sell the company’s 3.45 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum licenses – a total of 50 MHz of nationwide spectrum – for approximately $23bn, subject to regulatory approval. In addition, the companies have amended their network services agreement to create a hybrid mobile network operator (MNO) relationship. This transaction is part of EchoStar’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) inquiries.
The license sale to AT&T will enable rapid deployment of the purchased spectrum to US consumers across the country, as AT&T has the option to lease the spectrum, pending the closing of the spectrum sale. This arrangement benefits both AT&T and Boost Mobile subscribers.
Charlie Ergen, Co-founder and Chairman, EchoStar, said: “I’m enormously proud of the EchoStar team for deploying the world’s first Open RAN network in record time, despite industry scepticism and in the face of the many challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic. EchoStar and Boost Mobile have met all of the FCC’s network buildout milestones. However, this spectrum sale to AT&T and hybrid MNO agreement are critical steps toward resolving the FCC’s spectrum utilization concerns.”
Through Boost Mobile’s hybrid MNO infrastructure, subscribers will continue to receive service from Boost Mobile’s cloud-native 5G core connected to AT&T’s nationwide network. While primary connectivity will be provided by AT&T’s towers, Boost Mobile subscribers will continue to have access to the T-Mobile network. Customers will experience no interruptions to service. As a result of this transaction, elements of Boost Mobile’s radio access network (RAN) will be decommissioned over time.
Hamid Akhavan, CEO and president, EchoStar, added: “This transaction puts our business on a solid financial path, further facilitating EchoStar’s long-term success, and enhancing our ability to innovate and compete as a hybrid network operator. The proceeds of this transaction will be used for, among other things, retiring certain debt obligations and funding EchoStar’s continued operations and growth initiatives. We continue to evaluate strategic opportunities for our remaining spectrum portfolio in partnership with the US government and wireless industry participants.”
Closing of the proposed transaction will occur after all required regulatory approvals are received and other closing conditions are satisfied.
The operations of EchoStar’s other businesses, including DISH TV, Sling and Hughes, will not be impacted by this transaction.
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