News outlets have reported that President Donald Trump held a meeting at the White House with EchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on June 12. Although we do not know for certain what was discussed at the White House meeting, it is a supremely safe bet that the conversation included the FCC's current review of EchoStar's compliance with deadlines for reaching wireless facilities construction milestones. Reports indicate the President rightly hopes to prevent a scenario in which a major U.S. company goes bankrupt.
EchoStar previously acquired wireless spectrum licenses in conjunction with the T-Mobile/Sprint merger and settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. It has invested billions in private capital to build out a nationwide 5G wireless network, which is available to 80% of Americans. EchoStar’'s network offers a fourth competitive nationwide facilities-based mobile wireless service, and its network is unique for its deployment of Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology.
Free State Foundation President Randolph May and I expressed our views regarding the FCC's review of EchoStar's compliance with buildout commitments in reply comments filed on June 6.
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