EchoStar off hook for operating own mobile network

A federal judge in Washington (DC) signed off on a U.S. Department of Justice request to relieve EchoStar of its commitment to build and operate a mobile network. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly issued the decision after the DoJ sought public comment on terminating EchoStar’s obligation. The comment period ended June 18 with no comments being received.  Dish was supposed to serve as the nation’s fourth facilities-based mobile operator as part of the government’s remedy in the T-Mobile/Sprint merger. But the Federal Communications Commission in May of 2025 launched an inquiry into its 5G buildout and spectrum usage, sending EchoStar into a tailspin. To avoid a possible bankruptcy, EchoStar agreed to sell spectrum to AT&T and SpaceX in separate transactions worth more than $40 billion. Selling the spectrum effectively closes the door on EchoStar’s ability to continue as a facilities-based mobile network operator and the proposed transactions represent the best outcome for competition, according to the DoJ.