Assessing the Economic and Financial Impacts from DISH’s Infrastructure Contract Defaults

In late 2025, DISH Wireless LLC (a subsidiary of EchoStar) notified tower companies and other of its vendors that it believed its long-term master lease agreements were “excused” following EchoStar’s decision to sell its spectrum holdings after the Federal Communications Commission began an investigation into whether EchoStar had met its buildout obligations. Wireless infrastructure providers, including tower companies, have disputed this “excuse” claim and several have initiated litigation to enforce contractual obligations. DISH has signalled that it will not receive any of EchoStar’s spectrum sale proceeds—an apparent suggestion that it could become judgment-proof. EchoStar’s proposed spectrum sale requires FCC approval and is currently under review. This report assesses the economic and financial consequences on the wireless infrastructure ecosystem if the FCC allows DISH and EchoStar to use the spectrum sale as an excuse to break long-standing industry norms and default without bearing any consequences.