FCC Told to Deny or Condition EchoStar Waivers Tied to SpaceX Spectrum Transfer

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission was told Monday it should deny or sharply condition EchoStar’s request for permanent waivers of its terrestrial buildout requirements, tied to its proposed spectrum transfers to SpaceX.

The objections were filed by wireless carriers, an infrastructure company, and mobile network operator targeting EchoStar’s bid to waive rules requiring that its AWS-4, AWS-3, and H-Block spectrum support terrestrial wireless networks.

Rural carriers argued the waiver requests go far beyond the FCC’s authority. The Rural Wireless Association urged the FCC to reject the applicants’ waiver requests outright, warning that approving permanent waivers would amount to a fundamental rewrite of the AWS-4 rules without a formal rulemaking.