EchoStar Sells S-Band Spectrum to SpaceX for $17 Billion
EchoStar, a leading telecommunications company, has sold its global S-band spectrum to SpaceX for over $17 billion. Under Hamid Akhavan's leadership, EchoStar has shifted to an asset-light growth strategy, focusing on connectivity and communication through its core brands. Meanwhile, SpaceX plans to use the acquired spectrum to significantly boost its direct-to-device services.
The sale, subject to FCC approval, involves EchoStar's AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses. SpaceX will pay a mix of stock and cash, with the total transaction valued at $17 billion. This deal allows EchoStar to maintain rights to the spectrum, ensuring continued use for its services.
SpaceX's plans for the spectrum include a 20-fold increase in throughput for its direct-to-device (D2D) services. To support this expansion, SpaceX seeks permission to deploy up to 15,000 upgraded D2D satellites as part of its Starlink constellation. Tests for this ambitious project are set to begin as early as the end of next year.
In other news, Rocket Lab's Lyra-4 satellite has successfully operated in low Earth orbit for at least 90 days. This achievement satisfies a 'Bringing Back Into Use' (BBIU) process, paving the way for future satellite launches and operations.
The sale of its S-band spectrum to SpaceX marks a significant milestone for EchoStar, allowing it to focus on its core brands while still benefiting from the spectrum's value. Meanwhile, SpaceX's plans for the acquired spectrum promise a substantial boost to its D2D services, with tests for the upgraded Starlink constellation set to begin soon.
Read also:
- Industrial robots in China are being installed at a faster rate than in both the United States and the European Union, as the global market for these robots faces a downturn.
- NATO's Massive Naval Drill Shows Unity Against Russian Aggression
- Undeads Games Reaches $30 Million TVL and Gears Up for MMORPG Debut
- Hyundai N affirms transition to hybrid performance-centric models, initiating with Tucson N
