#241
Re: MDA Ltd (MDLF) La compañía espacial de Canadá...
Preguntando: How much spectrum does EchoStar controls?
Here’s a clearer breakdown of how much spectrum EchoStar controls — past and present — based on the latest available information:
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Spectrum Previously Controlled by EchoStar
Following its merger with DISH Network in early 2024, EchoStar inherited a broad and diverse spectrum portfolio through a transfer of DISH’s unencumbered licenses to its subsidiary, EchoStar Wireless Holding LLC. This included:
AWS-4, H-block
CBRS
C-band (Cheyenne)
12 GHz
LMDS
24 GHz
28 GHz
37 GHz
30 GHz
47 GHz
Meanwhile, DISH retained ownership of other key bands such as 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 3.45 GHz, and AWS-3, which remain unencumbered and separate from EchoStar’s holdings.
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Spectrum Sold by EchoStar (2025 Deals)
1. AT&T Deal (~August 2025)
Sold 50 MHz total of its spectrum to AT&T, specifically in the 600 MHz and 3.45 GHz bands.
2. SpaceX Deal (~September 2025)
Agreed to sell its AWS-4 and H-block licenses to SpaceX for roughly $17 billion.
EchoStar had previously estimated that AWS-4 and H-block together accounted for around 50 MHz of spectrum (AWS-4 providing ~25 MHz downlink + 5 MHz uplink, and H-block ~20 MHz downlink).
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What Spectrum Does EchoStar Still Controls?
After these divestitures, EchoStar still retains a significant spectrum portfolio, including:
CBRS
C-band (Cheyenne)
12 GHz
LMDS
24 GHz
28 GHz
37 GHz
30 GHz
47 GHz
Additionally, EchoStar currently holds some 600 MHz licenses—not all were sold to AT&T—and these continue to be part of its holdings.
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Summary Table
Spectrum Band(s) Status Approximate Bandwidth
AWS-4 + H-Block Sold to SpaceX ~50 MHz
600 MHz + 3.45 GHz 600 MHz partially retained; 3.45 GHz sold 600 MHz: partially retained; 3.45 GHz: 50 MHz sold
CBRS, C-band, 12 GHz, LMDS, 24/28/30/37/47 GHz Retained by EchoStar Unknown total MHz; depends on license count across various bands
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Key Takeaways
EchoStar no longer controls AWS-4 and H-block (estimated ~50 MHz) or the spectrum sold to AT&T (50 MHz in 600 MHz and 3.45 GHz bands).
EchoStar still retains a broad array of relatively high-frequency licenses (microwave, mmWave bands, C-band, CBRS, etc.), but the exact aggregated bandwidth (in MHz or GHz) is not publicly specified.
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Here’s a clearer breakdown of how much spectrum EchoStar controls — past and present — based on the latest available information:
---
Spectrum Previously Controlled by EchoStar
Following its merger with DISH Network in early 2024, EchoStar inherited a broad and diverse spectrum portfolio through a transfer of DISH’s unencumbered licenses to its subsidiary, EchoStar Wireless Holding LLC. This included:
AWS-4, H-block
CBRS
C-band (Cheyenne)
12 GHz
LMDS
24 GHz
28 GHz
37 GHz
30 GHz
47 GHz
Meanwhile, DISH retained ownership of other key bands such as 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 3.45 GHz, and AWS-3, which remain unencumbered and separate from EchoStar’s holdings.
---
Spectrum Sold by EchoStar (2025 Deals)
1. AT&T Deal (~August 2025)
Sold 50 MHz total of its spectrum to AT&T, specifically in the 600 MHz and 3.45 GHz bands.
2. SpaceX Deal (~September 2025)
Agreed to sell its AWS-4 and H-block licenses to SpaceX for roughly $17 billion.
EchoStar had previously estimated that AWS-4 and H-block together accounted for around 50 MHz of spectrum (AWS-4 providing ~25 MHz downlink + 5 MHz uplink, and H-block ~20 MHz downlink).
---
What Spectrum Does EchoStar Still Controls?
After these divestitures, EchoStar still retains a significant spectrum portfolio, including:
CBRS
C-band (Cheyenne)
12 GHz
LMDS
24 GHz
28 GHz
37 GHz
30 GHz
47 GHz
Additionally, EchoStar currently holds some 600 MHz licenses—not all were sold to AT&T—and these continue to be part of its holdings.
---
Summary Table
Spectrum Band(s) Status Approximate Bandwidth
AWS-4 + H-Block Sold to SpaceX ~50 MHz
600 MHz + 3.45 GHz 600 MHz partially retained; 3.45 GHz sold 600 MHz: partially retained; 3.45 GHz: 50 MHz sold
CBRS, C-band, 12 GHz, LMDS, 24/28/30/37/47 GHz Retained by EchoStar Unknown total MHz; depends on license count across various bands
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Key Takeaways
EchoStar no longer controls AWS-4 and H-block (estimated ~50 MHz) or the spectrum sold to AT&T (50 MHz in 600 MHz and 3.45 GHz bands).
EchoStar still retains a broad array of relatively high-frequency licenses (microwave, mmWave bands, C-band, CBRS, etc.), but the exact aggregated bandwidth (in MHz or GHz) is not publicly specified.
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Here’s the latest and most accurate breakdown as of September 2025:
Spectrum Transfers & Sales: What EchoStar No Longer Controls
1. Spectrum Sold to AT&T (August 2025)
- 3.45 GHz mid-band: ~30 MHz nationwide
-
600 MHz low-band: ~20 MHz nationwide
Total sold: ~50 MHz
2. Spectrum Sold to SpaceX (September 2025)
-
AWS-4 / S-band + H-Block: ~50 MHz of global MSS spectrum was transferred to SpaceX.
Total Spectrum Divested: ~100 MHz
What EchoStar Still Controls
A. Remaining Major Spectrum Holdings (via EchoStar Wireless Holding LLC)
From the January 2024 transfer of unencumbered spectrum (post Dish merger), EchoStar still holds rights to:
- CBRS
- C-band – Cheyenne
- 12 GHz
- LMDS
-
24 GHz, 28 GHz, 30 GHz, 37 GHz, 47 GHz
B. AWS-4 Spectrum Still Retained (~40 MHz)
- EchoStar retains approximately 40 MHz of mid-band spectrum in the 2 GHz band (AWS-4).
This spectrum remains central to its planned Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services and is the subject of ongoing FCC evaluation due to utilization concerns.
C. AWS-3 Spectrum (~21 MHz)
- EchoStar continues holding AWS-3 (n66) spectrum, estimated around 21 MHz.
Summary: EchoStar’s Current Spectrum Portfolio
Spectrum Band / Block Approx. Bandwidth Controlled Notes
| AWS-4 (2 GHz band) | ~40 MHz | Retained (used for D2D satellite services)
| AWS-3 | ~21 MHz | Still fully held by EchoStar
| CBRS, C-band, 12 GHz, LMDS, 24/28/30/37/47 GHz | Unspecified total | All retained across multiple high-frequency bands
| Total Retained Spectrum | At least ~61 MHz + unspecified GHz in mmW bands | Key Takeaways
Spectrum Band / Block Approx. Bandwidth Controlled Notes
| AWS-4 (2 GHz band) | ~40 MHz | Retained (used for D2D satellite services)
| AWS-3 | ~21 MHz | Still fully held by EchoStar
| CBRS, C-band, 12 GHz, LMDS, 24/28/30/37/47 GHz | Unspecified total | All retained across multiple high-frequency bands
| Total Retained Spectrum | At least ~61 MHz + unspecified GHz in mmW bands | Key Takeaways
- EchoStar has divested roughly 100 MHz of its spectrum through major deals with AT&T and SpaceX.
- It still retains significant holdings including AWS-4 (40 MHz) and AWS-3 (21 MHz)—critical assets for its satellite and terrestrial strategies.
- Its retained high-frequency/licensed holdings in CBRS, C-band, LMDS, and millimeter-wave bands remain valuable, though aggregated bandwidth in those bands is not publicly quantified.
If you'd like, I can dig deeper into specific retained bands (like CBRS or LMDS) and try to estimate total MHz—or explore how EchoStar plans to utilize spectrum like AWS-4 for its next-gen D2D satellite service. Let me know what direction interests you!