AT&T strikes US$23b deal for EchoStar spectrum
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The news: AT&T will buy wireless spectrum licences from telecom and pay-tv provider EchoStar for USD23 billion ($35.4 billion) in an all-cash deal expected to close by mid-2026, pending regulatory approval.
The numbers: The licences cover over 400 markets across the US and include 30 MHz of mid-band and 20 MHz of low-band spectrum.
The context: The acquisition follows regulatory pressure on EchoStar over underuse of its spectrum and a May FCC investigation into its compliance. The deal is expected to strengthen AT&T’s 5G and fibre services and provide financial stability to EchoStar, which had considered bankruptcy.
EchoStar will continue operating under the Boost Mobile brand, with AT&T as its primary network partner.
The sources: AT&T media release , The Wall Street Journal
